Before architects make buildings, they make tiny buildings.

You’ve probably seen architectural models: they’re made of wood, are generally nice looking, and offer an idea of what’s under construction.

But the exhibition "Case Works," on view at Portland Art Museum through Sept. 4, offers a much more elaborate, dreamy, often jewel-like kind of architectural model. These are buildings designed by Allied Works, the firm founded by Portland native and rock star architect Brad Cloepfil. With just a few drawings and a lot of elaborately crafted models, these works offer a window into the high-concept process that’s made Allied one of the most sought-after firms in its field.

We walked through the exhibition with Cloepfil as the museum was putting on the finishing touches to discuss the models and some of the most famous buildings in his career — Wieden+Kennedy's headquarters in the Pearl, the Clifford Still Museum in Denver, the National Music Center in Calgary — as well as the state of architecture and design in Portland today.

See a slide show of Cloepfil's work: http://www.opb.org/radio/article/architect-brad-cloepfil-portland-art-museum-case-works