oh... does that bring back memories! If I had a nickel for every all-nighter I pulled whilst in architecture... When we got to model building during my first (and last) semester of archiTORTURE, we were given a set of pictures from a magazine, from which we then had to determine the scale and then constuct a model. Getting the proportions correct from the perspective photos was a hoot. I used chipboard & foamcore at the time- somewhat easier to work with than plywood.
When our models were due, people were still in the process of gluing in the landscaping & scaleys (scale figures). The professor walked in & said... "all right everyone, leave the room... we're going to arrange them from best to worst!"
The models pretty much ran the gamut... from VERY nicely & professionally done to terribly executed models from hacked up cardboard boxes. Thankfully, I finished in the top 25%. I still miss architecture. Sometimes I wish I had stayed with it. I never had a decent GPA after I left architecture. Then again, I wouldn't be the engineering GIANT that I am now. <<gags>>
Best of luck... it's a tough field & lots of competition... but lots of fun too.
