About

Learn architectural modeling in SketchUp with award-winning architect Brandon A. Gibbs, AIA. This course teaches clean workflows, real-world design strategies, and pro techniques to model smarter, faster, and with clarity—perfect for students and professionals alike.

Learn how to model like a professional architect in this hands-on SketchUp course led by Brandon A. Gibbs, AIA—an award-winning architect with over a decade of experience designing residential projects around the world. Whether you're new to SketchUp or looking to refine your skills, this course teaches you how to create accurate, clean, and buildable 3D models using proven workflows from real design studios. You'll master the use of groups, components, tags, and scenes to stay organized, speed up your process, and avoid common modeling mistakes.

As you model a complete modern A-frame cabin from provided plans and a site base, you’ll gain practical experience with architectural thinking, site strategies, and visual storytelling. The course also introduces sustainable design principles, passive strategies, and an introduction to AI-enhanced rendering with SketchUp Diffusion. By the end, you’ll have a professional model and the confidence to use SketchUp for client presentations, team collaboration, or design development.

Course curriculum

  1. 1

    • 00 Course Overview

    • 01 Course Principles

    • 02 Welcome to SketchUp - Overview

    • 03 Reviewing The Interface
  2. 2

    • 04 Geolocating The Site

    • 05 Site Placement

    • 06 Preparing Layers

    • 07 Generating Topo Lines

    • 08 Choosing Site Elevation

    • 09 Setting Up Views

    • 10 - Creating A Site Section
  3. 3

    • 11 Adding Levels

    • 12 Program Sizing Considerations

    • 13 Framing The Structure

    • 14 Adding The Floors

    • 15 Creating Floor Views via Section Cut

    • 16 Adding Remaining Floors And Adjustments

    • 17 Adding structural Piles

    • 18 Adding Vertical Circulation

    • 19 Planning Programming Space

    • 20 Reviewing Light Access and Phasad Form

    • 21 Adjusting Structure for Circulation

    • 22 Sketching Vertical Circulation

    • 23 Modeling Vertical Enclosure
  4. 4

    • Lesson 1: Using Plugins

    • Lesson 2: Creating Accurate and Precise Models

    • Lesson 3: Creating Sections and Elevations

    • Lesson 4: Working with Dynamic Components

    • 24 Refining Site Top With Subtraction

    • 25 Sandbox Workflow for Stamping A Site

    • 26 Sandbox Workflows For Creating Topos

    • 27 Adding In Context

    • 28 Modeling A Road From Topo

    • 29 Fixing Tags
  5. 5

    • Lesson 1: Annotating and Labeling Models

    • Lesson 2: Creating 2D Presentations

    • Lesson 3: Rendering and Visualizing Models

    • 30 Exterior Design Overview

    • 31 Planning Exterior Elements

    • 32 Modeling An Exterior Deck

    • 33 Modeling THe Upper Deck
  6. 6

    • 34 Calculating and Modeling Stairs

    • 35 Modeling 3d Stairs

    • 36 Adjusting Floors and Landings

    • 37 Modeling 3D Stair Stringers

    • 38 Adjusting Stair Components
  7. 7

    • 39 Planning Exterior Walls

    • 40 Planning Wall Type Details

    • 41 Modeling Walls

    • 42 Setting Wall Materials

    • 43 Planning Retaining Wall Design

    • 44 MOdeling The Retaining Wall

    • 45 Fixing Model Accuracy

    • 46 Creating A Working Layer For Walls
  8. 8

    • 47 Checking Exterior Wall Geometry

    • 48 Planning Windows _ Door Components

    • 49 Cleaning Up Alignment Elements

    • 50 Adding Window Components

    • 51 Adding A Door Component
  9. 9

    • 52 Adding An Exterior Storefront

    • 53 Adding Exterior Panels

    • 54 Subtracting Envelope Openings

    • 55 Organizing Model Levels W Tags

    • 56 Planning A Storefront Wall

    • 57 Modeling Storefront Components

    • 58 Modeling Upper Exterior Wall Elements
  10. 10

    • 59 Modeling The Stair Tower - Base

    • 60 Adding Section and Views For Modeling

    • 61 Modeling A Storefront Envelope

    • 62 Final Modleling Envelope Edges

    • 63 Fixing Interior Clearance

    • 64 Adjusting Storefront To Add Door
  11. 11

    • 65 Planning Exterior Railing

    • 66 Modeling The Basic Rail

    • 67 Detailing Rail Look and Finishes

    • 68 Diplicating A Rail System

    • 69 Adjusting The Detail Across The Rail
  12. 12

    • 70 Updating The Site Road Geometry

    • 71 Reviewing Envelope Design _ Views

    • 72 Reviewing Envelope Design

    • 73 Modeling An Inset Door

    • 74 Planning Exterior Enclosure Detailing

    • 75 Modeling Exterior Envelope Edge Wall

    • 76 Updating Site Footprint

    • 77 Updating Rail Edge

    • 78 Reviewing Exteriors
  13. 13

    • 79 Planing Interiors - Level 1 Update

    • 80 Planning The Interior 1st Level-IATS

    • 81 Updating Interior Plan Detail

    • 82 Reviewing Interior Plan

    • 83 Importing The 1st Floor Sketc
  14. 14

    • 84 Planning The 1st Flr Modeling

    • 85 Modeling Interior Walls

    • 86 Adjusting Modeling View

    • 87 Planning Interior Modeling

    • 88 Adding 3D Doorways

    • 89 Adding Secondary Interior Walls

    • 90 Modeling 3D Casework Prototype

    • 91 Integrating 3D Casework In Model

    • 92 Adding An Interior Perspective

    • 93 Adding A 3D Island

    • 94 Modeling Space For Stove And Hood
  15. 15

    • 96 Intro To SketchUp AI Render

    • 97 AI Render Interface

    • 98 Customizing AI Render With Brush

    • 99 AI Render For Interior

    • 100 Refining Model For Best AI Render

    • 101 Refined Interior Render

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