Hello and welcome to Zealot!
If you are looking to design and build build architectural models then I would take a look at the 3D program Google Sketchup or Blender 3D. Both programs are free and can assist you in designing your model. Sketchup also has a couple of free plugins that assist with the creation of paper or card models.
SketchUp is a simple but powerful tool for quickly and easily creating, viewing and modifying your 3D ideas.
www.techspot.com
The Freedom to Create
www.blender.org
From what I hear Google Sketchup is relatively easy to use. One of our moderators (
@Revell-Fan ) uses the program to design his models and they come out looking awesome! Blender is open-source and free for anyone to use. Blender is a robust program that can pretty much do anything 3D wise but it has a steep learning curve.
I recommend the following website if you want to learn more about using Blender for architecture:
Exploring open-source options in the architecture industry
www.blender3darchitect.com
I primarily use Blender to model aircraft and other vehicles, but I have used it to model a few buildings and houses.
We have an extensive Resource section here on Zealot that may be of use to you.
If you are looking to see how a architectural model is designed and built, I'd recommend taking a look at these ones:
They're excellent models of Nuclear Power Plants which can give you ideas for your design process of an Airport Terminal.
Please feel free to reach out to any of us, myself included. Our moderators are really friendly, knowledgeable, and are always more than willing to help out in any way they can!
Good luck with your project and please post a build thread showing your progress on the project! It sounds like an interesting one!