In the world of architecture, some of the most ambitious civic projects begin their journey as delicate miniature worlds that can fit on a tabletop. A new exhibition opening in Sydney celebrates the enduring importance of scale models in transforming conceptual designs into iconic skylines and landmarks that shape our cities.

The Civic Vision exhibition, presented by Foster + Partners architects, opens as part of Sydney Open, Australia's premier architecture event that has been providing behind-the-scenes glimpses into design processes for 21 years. This year's festival opens the doors to 57 buildings and spaces, creating a dialogue between cutting-edge new constructions and cherished heritage sites. The exhibition is housed in the firm's Sydney studios within the Parkline Place tower, a striking 39-story building rising above Gadigal station.

This groundbreaking display represents the first exhibition of its kind in Australia, drawing from a major Norman Foster retrospective that was staged at the Centre Pompidou in Paris in 2023. Norman Foster founded Foster + Partners in 1967, and the exhibition showcases seven decades of pioneering work in high-tech architecture, sustainable design, and striking civic structures built with glass and steel. The architecture firm recently achieved significant recognition, designing the winning national memorial to Queen Elizabeth II – a translucent bridge planned for London's St. James's Park that draws inspiration from the diamond fringe tiara the late monarch wore on her wedding day.

Foster + Partners was also part of the Metro consortium that designed five new train stations in Sydney, a project that earned the prestigious 2025 NSW architecture medallion. The scale model collection spans decades of architectural innovation, featuring everything from the 1980s Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank – a handcrafted construction made of timber and metal – to an incredibly detailed miniature model of the proposed new Old Trafford stadium, complete with 50,000 tiny, meticulously crafted human spectators.

These architectural models serve as far more than sophisticated marketing tools; they represent a critical component of the design process itself. "The model is a tool for understanding how a building will look and feel," explains Katy Harris, Foster + Partners' London-based head of communications, who provided a detailed walkthrough of the exhibition. "Architects have to think in 3D – that's why physically making models is incredibly important to understand whether you have designed correctly."

Harris emphasizes that tangible, three-dimensional models prove essential for clients who may lack the specialized training to interpret two-dimensional drawings or architectural plans. "They can't understand it. Give them a model, they get it," she notes. Those 50,000 handmade miniature Manchester United fans were created specifically to help the client grasp the scale and atmosphere of the proposed stadium design.

The collection traces the evolution of architectural modeling, which has been revolutionized by the introduction of 3D printing technology. However, this technological advancement hasn't replaced the crucial role of skilled human model makers – Foster + Partners still employs approximately 60 specialized model makers. Harris observes that viewing the world in miniature takes people back to childhood memories of building kit models and creating with building blocks, suggesting that model making transcends its professional function to become a universal language that allows anyone to understand the scope and complexity of an architect's vision.

Several models in the exhibition demonstrate watershed moments in architectural design. The Stansted Airport model from 1991 displays a revolutionary approach to infrastructure design by placing all mechanical services underneath the concourse – effectively turning standard airport design upside down. This innovation freed up the roof space, allowing natural light to flood in and helping passengers navigate more easily. Harris notes that this concept has since been adopted by virtually every new airport design around the world.

The model of Trafalgar Square in central London illustrates how a simple urban intervention can dramatically transform public spaces. By replacing a traffic-congested roundabout with an expansive stepped pedestrian plaza, the design demonstrates the profound impact thoughtful planning can have on public amenities and urban life.

A close examination of the 30 St Mary Axe model, known to most Londoners as "the Gherkin," reveals an intricate ventilation system where spiraling bands of atria enable natural air flow, making it an early example of ecological high-rise design. The model, which functions almost as a sculptural piece in its own right, provides viewers with a level of detail that would be impossible to see or fully comprehend when observing the actual building from ground level on the London skyline.

At the local level, the exhibition features a model of Deutsche Bank Place, which has been making its distinctive mark on the Sydney skyline for the past 20 years with its characteristic offset core design. Another model showcases the new Parkline Place, illustrating the concept of transport-oriented development that seamlessly integrates commercial towers with major transit hubs like Gadigal station.

The Foster + Partners exhibition serves as a key destination within the broader Sydney Open program that celebrates the city's architectural identity and innovation. Visitors to Sydney Open can also explore numerous other significant buildings, including Bundarra in Surry Hills, Australia's first external diagrid structure, and One Shelley Street at King Street Wharf. The program also features the new aerodynamic commercial tower 1 Elizabeth, which has been integrated with the Sydney Metro Martin Place station.

Other notable stops include the conversion of the old Darlinghurst police station into Qtopia Sydney, now recognized as the world's largest center for queer history and culture. Visitors can also explore the Sydney Observatory, the historic Mortuary Station, and the archaeological Parbury Ruins – remnants of an 1820s dockworker's home that were unearthed during the construction of a residential apartment block in Millers Point in 2000.

The main Sydney Open day, when the greatest number of buildings open their doors to the public, takes place on Sunday, November 2nd, though selected events will continue running throughout November and December. The Foster + Partners Civic Vision exhibition will be open to Sydney Open ticket holders from Sunday, November 2nd through December 21st, located at the Parkline Place tower on the level 2 mezzanine.