From regular tree houses to a structure literally built exclusively out of raw-cut trees, a see-through plastic polygon space to a towering building with dense library-book walls, these engaging 1-to-1 scale (life-size) pieces are not what most people expect to encounter in a day at the V&A Museum of London.

Architectural models are traditionally made at regular scales – 1:16, 1:32, 1:54 are typical as are more metric-friendly variants like 1:10 or 1:100, making this project a creative exception.

1:1 is a museum art installation series aimed at full-scale building experience of traversable spaces that still have the experimental and conceptual properties of miniature models.

Instead of staring at small model-sized pieces behind glass – accompanied by detailed drawings at a likewise smaller scale – visitors are encouraged to walk through, touch and otherwise interact with each work. Videos placed by each installation tell the story of their design and construction process as well.

Of nineteen architects invited to submit proposals, seven of these strange and unique mini-habitats were built for this exhibit – some set between staircases or in multi-floor interior spaces, while others that could weather were placed in outdoor courtyard and entry areas. (Images via V&A + Dezeen).