The Triennale presents a collection of scale models by 41 world-class Japanese architects

There's something so exciting about seeing an architect's initial, handmade model. It compresses the spirit of a future structure into mere inches; exists as the first 3-dimensional manifestation of an architect's vision; and, inside the studio, acts as a invaluable tool for creative development. For anyone who loves architectural models as much as we do, the Triennale di Milano is the place to be this month. From July 10th-19th, the museum will host Archi Depot Tokyo, an exhibition of 41 architectonic models by master and emerging Japanese designers, including Shigeru Ban, Tetsuo Furuichi, Koh Kitayama, and Kengo Kuma. Setsu and Shinobu Ito of Studio ITO Design are credited with the show's creative direction.

The exhibition is organized by the Archi Depot Foundation, which was founded earlier this year by Terrada Warehouse and Tokyo Design Center to safeguard and conserve models and designs of Japanese architectural culture. The foundation plans to create its own museum in the near future to conserve and present even more models—and, more generally, to highlight the important role architecture plays in communities.

Archi Depot Tokyo is on view from July 10th-19th at the Triennale di Milano's Impluvium Hall (first floor):  Viale Alemagna 6 / 20121 / Milan, Italy.