In this latest series of Humans of ZGF interviews, we sat down with the model shop team to learn about their unique career paths into model building, the most memorable projects they’ve worked on, and what’s on their bench right now.

Sam Towler is a model builder in our LA office who recently made the jump into architecture after working for Walt Disney Imagineering. As a dimensional designer there, Sam created physical and digital models to aid in theme park design—from basic massing models, to finished highly detailed presentation models, to digital models used by vendors and contractors. Now, he leverages those skills at ZGF to build models for design competitions, internal design charettes, and display installations. Learn more about Sam below.

Why do you love working in architecture and design? Working in architecture has the right blend of artistic and technical areas. I’ve always enjoyed making things, so being able to explore different techniques and ways of integrating design features makes architecture an interesting field. The model stage is one of more exciting parts of the design process because you can let your imagination run a bit and test ideas without committing to anything early on. Also, there is something about making small versions of anything that is just naturally fun!

How did you make your way into the model shop at ZGF? I worked in the model shop at Walt Disney Imagineering, the design firm for their theme parks, for six years. When Disney downsized their staff last year, ZGF was looking to fill the void in their LA model shop. Fortunately, there were many parallels in the craft and I made the jump to ZGF in the beginning of 2022.

What is the most memorable project you’ve worked on so far? Any project where I can try something new or learn something is always exciting. The model I built for our IQHQ pursuit was one of my favorites because it was mostly made of wood veneer, a material I had wanted to use on a model for a long time. Having the natural wood grains of walnut, white oak, and birch represent everything including hardscape, softscape, and buildings in an abstract way made it a unique project. It was also my very first model at ZGF, so it holds a top spot for me. 

What is the most challenging project you’ve worked on? How did you creatively solve the problem or use it as an opportunity to innovate? For the JBG Smith National Landing project, I was tasked with making a smaller version of the future Helix building for Amazon’s HQ2 in Arlington, Virginia. Not only did the model representation have to be translucent to allow the open floor building to illuminate from within, but the majority of the structure was a glass curtain wall with triangle patterned mullions—with the entire shape of the structure as a spiraling helix with compound curves. Lots of meticulous work by hand to replicate.

What’s on your bench right now? As of this writing, the same helix structure described above, as well as some adjacent structures for the same project that need to be detailed. Then it’s a matter of figuring out the best way to pack them for shipping to their final destination in Arlington, with a stop in Portland for test fitting.

What are your hobbies outside of work? The line between what I do as a hobby and what I do for work often gets blurred, but if I can put down the X-ACTO knife, I’m usually planning out home renovation projects, reading up on anything railroad-related (both model and real), researching Googie design, spending too much time going down YouTube rabbit holes, or hitting up a tiki bar (or two…) with the missus.

Dogs or cats? Both, although I am more partial to cats. We have a Siamese cat named Simon, who always sports an exquisite bow tie, and a Maltipoo named Nellie, whom my wife named after a character from The Haunting of Hill House.

Favorite quote? “The days are long, but the years are short.” ― Gretchen Rubin

Favorite TV/movie character? Roger Sterling from Mad Men. Master of witty one-liners.