Activity guide / Industrial & Manufacturing
Building Maquette & Model Making business setup in the UAE
Physical production of scale models and maquettes for architectural, urban planning, real estate and infrastructure projects, from approval models to launch and exhibition pieces.
Plan this activityBy Two Pillars Advisory. Sources last checked 2026-10-27. Independent guidance, not authority advice.
Understanding building maquette & model making
A model-making studio builds the physical scale models that developers, architects and planners use to present projects before they are built. The inspected source describes activity 7110.76, sitting in the architectural and engineering technical-services division, covering physical production of scale models and maquettes for architectural, urban planning, real estate and infrastructure projects. The source emphasises that this is a production licence rather than a consultancy one, and that applications should describe fabrication rather than design work to avoid approval mismatches. Buyers purchase for three purposes: approval models that must be accurate, launch models that must be beautiful, and exhibition models that must survive heavy public handling. Each purpose carries its own deadline pressure and pricing tolerance.
Evidence scope: Meydan Free Zone, Dubai only. The inspected source describes activity 7110.76 as a production scope. This is not evidence of mainland or other-zone availability. Two Pillars Advisory FZCO is an independent business formation consultancy, not the licence issuer or a provider of every specialist activity described.
At a glance
- What the activity covers: Physical production of scale models and maquettes for architectural, urban planning, real estate and infrastructure projects, from approval models to launch and exhibition pieces.
- Activity type: Technical services
- Likely jurisdiction context: Depends
- Possible external approvals: The inspected Meydan source classifies activity 7110.76 within architectural and engineering related technical services as a production scope. Confirm the exact wording with the chosen issuer; no third-party approval was identified in the source.
What you offer matters.
What this activity covers
Physical production of scale models and maquettes for architectural, urban planning, real estate and infrastructure projects, from approval models to launch and exhibition pieces.
A plain-English label, not an official activity name or code.
Boundaries & approvals to check
The inspected Meydan source classifies activity 7110.76 within architectural and engineering related technical services as a production scope. Confirm the exact wording with the chosen issuer; no third-party approval was identified in the source.
Describing the business as a design consultancy when the work is physical fabrication, creating an application mismatch.
Your independent consultant: Two Pillars Advisory
Two Pillars helps you define the business model, compare routes and prepare an application. We are an independent consultancy, not a licensing authority.
The licence issuer / regulator: the competent authority
The competent licensing authority decides the permitted activity scope and issues the licence. A sector regulator may separately assess and authorise regulated services. Neither decision is made by TPA.
Choose around your operations.
Industrial licensing, environmental clearance, civil defence and product conformity apply, depending on the process.
For building maquette & model making: The inspected Meydan source classifies activity 7110.76 within architectural and engineering related technical services as a production scope. Confirm the exact wording with the chosen issuer; no third-party approval was identified in the source.
Confirm the local operating route
Describe where customers, staff, premises and goods will be located. Ask the mainland issuer and any proposed free zone to confirm the exact scope and any permissions for operating outside the zone.
Map delivery across borders
Describe where the service is delivered or goods move. Confirm entity scope, destination requirements and any UAE local operations separately; international customers do not establish free zone eligibility.
Check the sector perimeter first
Describe the actual service, product and client type to the competent regulator. A commercial registration alone does not establish authorisation to deliver regulated services.
| Decision point | Mainland | Free Zone | Sectoral approvals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who decides? | Competent emirate licensing authority | Proposed free zone licensing authority | Competent regulator, where applicable |
| Permitted operating scope | Requires case-by-case confirmation | Requires case-by-case confirmation | The inspected Meydan source classifies activity 7110.76 within architectural and engineering related technical services as a production scope. Confirm the exact wording with the chosen issuer; no third-party approval was identified in the source. |
| Premises, people & documents | Confirm for the selected activity | Confirm for the selected activity and zone | Confirm against the regulated service or product |
| Fees & timing | Obtain a current itemised quotation | Obtain a current itemised quotation | Confirm if a separate application applies |
From scope to application.
- Define your fabrication capabilities: laser cutting, 3D printing, hand finishing and lighting integration.
- Confirm activity 7110.76 wording with the chosen issuer, describing fabrication rather than design consultancy.
- Set up a workshop with appropriate ventilation, materials storage and finishing space.
- Build a portfolio organised by purpose: approval, launch and exhibition models.
Illustrative planning sequence; the authority may require a different application order or additional steps.
Common mistakes worth avoiding.
- Describing the business as a design consultancy when the work is physical fabrication, creating an application mismatch.
- Underpricing approval-deadline work; planning-committee schedules are immovable and revisions are common.
Authority information, independently explained.
Published by Two Pillars Advisory. References last checked 2026-10-27; each source’s check date and jurisdiction are shown below. Review is limited to the cited activity scope, not an approval or universal licensing assessment. Confirm current requirements directly before applying.
No affiliation, partnership or endorsement by the authorities listed.
- Meydan Free Zone: Building Maquette & Model Making — inspected scope. Inspected body describes activity 7110.76 in the architectural and engineering technical-services division, covering physical production of scale models and maquettes for architectural, urban planning, real estate and infrastructure projects; describes it as a production licence rather than a consultancy one. (Meydan Free Zone published scope, Dubai only, checked 2026-10-27)
- Invest in Dubai: Search business activities. Official Dubai activity search. Final activity wording and code must be confirmed here or with the licensing authority before filing. (Dubai, checked 2026-09-12)
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET): Business licensing. Official Dubai business licensing information, including licence types and permit requirements. (Dubai, checked 2026-09-12)
Before you take the next step.
Is this an engineering consultancy?
No. The inspected source classifies it as a production activity within the technical-services division. Design consultancy is a different scope.
Who buys scale models?
Developers, architects and planning teams buy models for project approvals, sales launches and public exhibitions, each with different accuracy and durability requirements.
Do I need special premises?
A workshop with fabrication equipment, ventilation and materials storage is the practical requirement. Confirm premises conditions with your chosen issuer.