Aug. 22, 2025

From Chicago and New York City to Sioux Falls and SDSU, Midwest Mini Cities represents the combination of 3D printing technology and a passion for architecture.

Before it officially opened last May, owner Anna Hamling had studied architecture for five years at SDSU. That’s when she started to focus more on the process involved in creating a building, learning how to 3D print and design models.

“I really gained the love for city landscaping and architecture through that,” Hamling said.

She ended up buying a 3D printer for her own personal use and started to develop ways to blend both of the interests.

While Hamling does model plenty of 3D printed miniature cities – as the name of the business suggests – she also designs stadiums, states and national parks.

“It’s like an aerial image,” Hamling said. “It’s always fun to watch people go up to the stadiums and point to where their seats are. They’re detailed enough to where you can tell those kinds of things.”

She categorizes the models based on the amount of accessible 3D lidar data  – information pulled from satellites – for a specific location. In her closer models, smaller details like cars or trees tend to pop up. Where there is a lack of satellite data – often in smaller towns – Hamling models the area by hand. Specific printing times depend on the size of each model, but can last anywhere from three to 11 hours.

The smallest size model – 4-by-6-inches – is priced at $20 while the largest – 18-by-24-inch – sits at $250. Hamling also noted that both Sioux Falls and Chicago models tend to be more popular. On a visit to the Brookings Summer Arts Festival, her SDSU campus model sold out.

“Everybody can really relate to a place,” Hamling said. “I always say that buildings and architecture aren’t just structures. They hold memories and they make people think back to something they might have forgotten.”

Ham will be selling her work at the 605 Made Night Market this Saturday, held from 3 to 9 p.m. in the Raven parking lot on the southeast corner of Sixth Street and Phillips Avenue.

605 Made is co-organized by Sew Doggy Boutique and SiouxFalls.Business. It’s sponsored by The First National Bank in Sioux Falls, Active Generations and Dakota Business Finance.

Follow the 605 Made Night Market on Facebook here.

For a full guide to what you’ll find at the 605 Made Night Market, visit below.

Here’s your guide to shopping, food, entertainment at Saturday’s 605 Made Night Market