Manchester School of Architecture is proud to announce the launch of AiM—a long-term international project dedicated to celebrating and supporting modelmaking in architectural practice. Led by the expert team at B.15 Modelmaking Workshop, AiM will make its public debut at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale with an exhibition exploring the craft, relevance, and future of physical models in design.
AiM—short for Architectural Index of Making—is a global platform connecting architects, students, and modelmakers. Its mission is to celebrate the craft of making, foreground experimentation, and highlight the often-overlooked role of physical models in contemporary architectural design.
In an increasingly digital world, architectural models are often seen only as images on a screen. AiM seeks to restore the tangible, hands-on relationship between maker and object—one that sparks innovation, poses questions, and tells richer stories about design and process.
“Practical making activity is an essential part of student learning and development into conscientious thinkers,” says Scott Miller, Technical Workshop Manager at B.15 Modelmaking Workshop. “Through the AiM project, we are setting out to create a resource that gives them inspiration and direction from practices who value these skills in their employees. We are excited to engage in further conversations around the subject in Venice this year and with future collaborative events.”
AiM aims to build a dynamic, ever-growing index of global modelmaking practice, offering a shared space for experimentation, learning, and leadership. This resource will be open to students, architects, and studios alike, showcasing how and where making happens in professional practice.
AiM at the Venice Biennale
Running from 10 May to 23 November 2025, the AiM exhibition at Palazzo Bembo in Venice will present a curated sample of the index through contributions from 15 practices and professionals. Alongside physical work, visitors will experience video content as part of the European Cultural Centre’s Time Space Existence exhibition. Entry is free and the exhibition is open six days a week (closed Tuesdays).
Panel Event – June 2025
AiM will also host a special panel event on the weekend of 28–29 June at the ECC and within the Biennale Sessions programme. Manchester School of Architecture students will be invited to attend and have the opportunity to explore all Biennale sites.
More details on how to register will be announced to students soon.
Find out more
We’re excited to see AiM grow into a meaningful resource for the profession. Find out how you can get involved at the B15 website here. Huge thanks to the B.15 Modelmaking Workshop team for leading this work, and to everyone who has supported the project so far—we hope to see you in Venice this summer.