Model Making Apprentice
HEATHERWICK STUDIO LIMITED
London (WC1H 8EE)
Closes on Sunday 14 June 2026
Posted on 8 May 2026
Contents
Summary
We’re hiring for a Modelmaking Degree Apprenticeship with Heatherwick Studio, in collaboration with Arts University Bournemouth. The programme combines studio experience with university learning, offering the opportunity to develop the skills of a professional architectural modelmaker while working towards a degree-level qualification.
- Wage
-
Competitive
Competitive wage offered
- Training course
- Model maker (level 6)
- Hours
-
You will be employed by Heatherwick Studio full time. Our working week runs from Monday- Friday. You will spend 4 full days a week at our Kings Cross Studio in London and then study online one day per week from home.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 8 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
At Heatherwick Studio, physical prototypes are a core part of how ideas evolve. Building and testing objects helps to explore form, understand scale and evaluate possibilities in ways drawings and screens cannot. These pieces often shape conversations and influence design decisions as projects develop. As ideas progress, models also become a powerful way to share the final vision, crafted with care and detail so clients and collaborators can experience the design as something tangible, engaging and real.
Over the 3-year programme, you’ll build technical knowledge and practical capability while contributing to ongoing work under the guidance of experienced modelmakers. Apprenticeships are funded by government and employers, so there are no tuition fees to pay, and apprentices receive a salary while they learn, with dedicated time to balance study and studio practice.
Where you'll work
Making House
55 Argyle Street
London
WC1H 8EE
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ARTS UNIVERSITY BOURNEMOUTH, THE
Training course
Model maker (level 6)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Identify which model types, construction methods and tools will be needed for tasks throughout the building process, taking into consideration resources, time, type of materials, and the desired appearance and functionality of the model.
- Identify paints, glues, materials and processes to fabricate models, utilising industry standard sizes and sustainable options where appropriate (for example, moulding, casting, laser cutting).
- Select materials taking into account whether they have already been or will eventually be painted, tinted, stained or left in their natural state.
- Undertake designs for relevant stages of the model making process (for example, prototypes, working models and presentation models).
- Produce design drawings to scale, using colour and material references when appropriate, to convey overall design concept and finishes of a model.
- Create and experiment with model samples to influence the final design of a built model.
- Analyse technical drawings considering the varying scales, details and tolerances and costs needed for a physical model.
- Select and use appropriate digital systems to develop designs (for example, Rhino, AutoCAD, Adobe CS, CorelDRAW, Revit, SOLIDWORKS).
- Use paints, glues, materials and processes to fabricate models, utilising industry standard sizes and sustainable options where appropriate. (for example, moulding, casting, laser cutting)
- Cut, shape, mould, join, combine, sand and finish various materials, maintaining their form throughout the process, appropriate temperature and technique.
- Assemble models and their components.
- Select and use hand tools and machinery (for example, chisels and planes, hammers and screwdrivers, hand saw, sanding and abrasive tools).
- Select and use power tools (for example, drills, jigsaw, router, circular saw).
- Select and use workshop machinery (for example, table saw, band saw, pillar drill, disc sander, sewing machine, moulding and casting facilities).
- Select and use digital tools (for example, 3D printer, CNC, laser cutters).
- Select and use support equipment (for example, scale rule, measuring instruments, jigs and clamps).
- Produce finishes (for example, spray or painted finishes).
- Demonstrate compliance with workshop and production safety policies, equipment operation and safety control measures.
- Work safely with chemicals and hazardous substances, using the correct controls (for example, dust or fume extraction), PPE, and storage (for example, the chemicals cupboard).
- Move, lift, unload and store equipment, models and materials safely.
- Planning and prioritising tasks, monitoring and organising resources.
- Prepare reports, drawings, specifications and other documentation to manage projects, undertaking version control as appropriate.
- Present and discuss project proposals, justifications, and conclusions to technical and non-technical stakeholders, using colour and material references.
- Update and input project time and resource information on digital resource planning software.
- Handle sensitive and confidential information.
- Assess suitability and availability or materials through communication with colleagues, identifying possible alternatives for products that aren’t available if necessary.
- Source the necessary approval from relevant parties (for example, internal stakeholders, photographic models, copyright holders) to facilitate appropriate information exchange throughout workflow.
- Apply team working techniques to build effective working relationships with colleagues and internal and external stakeholders and to promote accessibility, diversity, and inclusion.
- Apply equity, diversity and inclusion principles in the workplace to model and promote good practice.
- Critically reflect on their own work in relation to model making as a creative craft, undertaking research to maintain up-to-date industry knowledge (for example, attending industry events).
- Undertake reviews of personal and professional development needs. Plan development activity to meet personal and organisational objectives. Carry out and record planned and unplanned CPD activities.
- Identify which model types, construction methods and tools will be needed for tasks throughout the building process, taking into consideration resources, time, type of materials, and the desired appearance and functionality of the model.
- Identify paints, glues, materials and processes to fabricate models, utilising industry standard sizes and sustainable options where appropriate (for example, moulding, casting, laser cutting).
- Select materials taking into account whether they have already been or will eventually be painted, tinted, stained or left in their natural state.
- Undertake designs for relevant stages of the model making process (for example, prototypes, working models and presentation models).
- Produce design drawings to scale, using colour and material references when appropriate, to convey overall design concept and finishes of a model.
- Create and experiment with model samples to influence the final design of a built model.
- Analyse technical drawings considering the varying scales, details and tolerances and costs needed for a physical model.
- Select and use appropriate digital systems to develop designs (for example, Rhino, AutoCAD, Adobe CS, CorelDRAW, Revit, SOLIDWORKS).
- Use paints, glues, materials and processes to fabricate models, utilising industry standard sizes and sustainable options where appropriate. (for example, moulding, casting, laser cutting)
- Cut, shape, mould, join, combine, sand and finish various materials, maintaining their form throughout the process, appropriate temperature and technique.
- Assemble models and their components.
- Select and use hand tools and machinery (for example, chisels and planes, hammers and screwdrivers, hand saw, sanding and abrasive tools).
- Select and use power tools (for example, drills, jigsaw, router, circular saw).
- Select and use workshop machinery (for example, table saw, band saw, pillar drill, disc sander, sewing machine, moulding and casting facilities).
- Select and use digital tools (for example, 3D printer, CNC, laser cutters).
- Select and use support equipment (for example, scale rule, measuring instruments, jigs and clamps).
- Produce finishes (for example, spray or painted finishes).
- Demonstrate compliance with workshop and production safety policies, equipment operation and safety control measures.
- Work safely with chemicals and hazardous substances, using the correct controls (for example, dust or fume extraction), PPE, and storage (for example, the chemicals cupboard).
- Move, lift, unload and store equipment, models and materials safely.
- Planning and prioritising tasks, monitoring and organising resources.
- Prepare reports, drawings, specifications and other documentation to manage projects, undertaking version control as appropriate.
- Present and discuss project proposals, justifications, and conclusions to technical and non-technical stakeholders, using colour and material references.
- Update and input project time and resource information on digital resource planning software.
- Handle sensitive and confidential information.
- Assess suitability and availability or materials through communication with colleagues, identifying possible alternatives for products that aren’t available if necessary.
- Source the necessary approval from relevant parties (for example, internal stakeholders, photographic models, copyright holders) to facilitate appropriate information exchange throughout workflow.
- Apply team working techniques to build effective working relationships with colleagues and internal and external stakeholders and to promote accessibility, diversity, and inclusion.
- Apply equity, diversity and inclusion principles in the workplace to model and promote good practice.
- Critically reflect on their own work in relation to model making as a creative craft, undertaking research to maintain up-to-date industry knowledge (for example, attending industry events).
- Undertake reviews of personal and professional development needs. Plan development activity to meet personal and organisational objectives. Carry out and record planned and unplanned CPD activities.
Training schedule
- You will work 4 days a week at our studio in Kings Cross, London, and spend one day per week studying with Arts University Bournemouth online
- There will also be three 5-day residentials to Bournemouth per year. Expenses will be funded by Heatherwick Studio
Requirements
Essential qualifications
Other in:
- English (grade 4 or above)
- Maths (grade 4 or above)
- Various (grade Passed by Sept 2026)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Patience
- Focus
Other requirements
- You must declare your rights to work in the UK for 36 months from the start of the apprenticeship (Sept 2026)
- You must not be undertaking any other formal qualifications outside of A-levels, BTEC and GCSE's for the duration of this apprenticeship.
If you’re someone who enjoys understanding how things are made, feels at home in a workshop environment and takes satisfaction in turning ideas into physical objects, this could be a great place to begin. Modelmaking is a craft that rewards patience, focus and a willingness to experiment, refine and learn through doing.
About this employer
Heatherwick studio is formed of over 250 problem solvers. The studio strives to design inspiring, impactful projects and sensitise millions of people to the epidemic of emotionally unhealthy environments that surround us all. Our goal is to spark a global movement that no longer tolerates inhuman, soulless places.
Our vision is for a world where the buildings and places around us are radically more joyful, engaging and human.
Based out of our combined workshop and design studios in London, Shanghai, and California, we create buildings, spaces, masterplans, objects, and infrastructure all over the world. At any one time, we might be working on a pollution-eating car, an international headquarters in Silicon Valley, an opera house in China, or a chair. We value each equally.
After this apprenticeship
- This role is a permanent position, so on completion of this apprenticeship, you will work full time in our workshop
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
HEATHERWICK STUDIO LIMITED
Holly Stringer
hollystringer@heatherwick.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000030433.
Apply now
Closes on Sunday 14 June 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.