maquette

This term carries a professional connotation, typically associated with the preparatory stages of fine art and architecture. It suggests a bridge between a conceptual sketch and a full-scale execution, emphasizing the three-dimensional exploration of form, volume, and spatial relationships before committing to expensive materials.

Because it is a countable noun, it follows standard English pluralization rules. It is distinct from a "prototype" in that a maquette is primarily used for aesthetic and proportional visualization rather than functional testing or mechanical validation.