An admiration for architecture that took its own form
It began with a lasting fascination with Villa Tugendhat: its clean lines, spatial arrangement and details that reveal themselves over time. At CUBELAB, we looked for a way to share that connection with this Brno landmark through a model that can be viewed closely, held in your hands and, in some versions, opened up.
Our own digital design was developed with 3D printing in mind. We wanted to preserve the house’s character while creating an object that worked at a small scale. One architectural reference gradually became a collection, from a villa tucked inside a matchbox to an illuminated model with removable floors.
Modelling the villa: what to preserve at a smaller scale
Turning architecture into a model means making decisions about proportions, legibility and production. Our design retains the important horizontal lines, terraces, staircases and relationships between floors. Each part also needs to suit its finished size and the way it will be assembled.
The versions are therefore more than differently sized copies. The small souvenir focuses on the house’s silhouette. A larger model reveals its layout and rooms. The illuminated version also requires space for electronics and controls.
Lift off a floor and look inside
In the disassemblable L version, individual floors can be removed to reveal the internal layout. This adds another dimension: alongside the overall appearance, the model shows how the parts of the house relate to one another.
We also incorporated magnetic connections. These keep the parts together while allowing the model to be taken apart again. The combination of digital design, printing and assembly gives this object its character.
Explore the Villa Tugendhat L modular model in our shop.
A villa in your pocket
The most playful version is SAFETY MATCH: a miniature made to fit a matchbox. Slide it open to reveal a tiny villa. The packaging carries the Tugendhat name and a cross-section motif of the distinctive column found inside the house.
The collection also includes a Villa Tugendhat keyring and compact S and M models. Each offers a different way to keep a piece of Brno architecture close by, in your pocket, on your desk or as a gift.
S and M models: a villa for your desk
Between the pocket miniature and the disassemblable model sit two compact versions. Both S and M retain the villa’s clean lines and distinctive arrangement on a simple base.
Villa Tugendhat — S
A small architectural souvenir that fits on a modest desk or shelf. It captures the Brno villa’s silhouette in a discreet format and also makes a personal gift.
Dimensions: 91 × 62 × 23 mm.
Villa Tugendhat — M
The larger version offers more room to explore terraces, staircases and individual parts of the building. It remains compact enough for a home or office.
Dimensions: 138 × 93 × 34 mm.
The villa as a complete model
Once assembled, the horizontal lines, terraces and staircases come together again. The photograph shows the complete model on its base; the separate floors are shown above.
When the model lights up
The illuminated version adds internal lighting to the removable-floor construction. A discreet button controls the light, and the battery charges via USB-C. After dark, different parts of the building stand out than in daylight.
We also worked on small interior details, including rooms, staircases and the distinctive dividing wall. They help explain the villa’s spatial composition and give you a reason to return to the model again and again.
From the CUBELAB studio to your own model
Villa Tugendhat is part of our collection of objects inspired by Brno. It also shows how we approach our own work: from an interest in the original building through 3D modelling to printing, assembly and the final finish.
Our studio’s work continues in the CUBELAB3D.cz online shop. Interested in one of the villa models? Explore the shop or contact us about the versions and availability.
If you have an architectural project of your own, we can explore how to bring it to scale as an exhibition model, display piece or original souvenir.
