So I'm fairly new to 3D modeling and as I want to learn to model buildings in general I was wondering if I should be using the "Smooth Mesh Preview" in Maya at all or not? When it comes to modeling houses, bridges etc. is it ok to not bother about smooth mesh and model things "as they are"?
There's no right or wrong answer here, it just depends on what you're best with and what a project needs. Though for *most* architectural work, I'd be more inclined to model "as they are", since most the benefits of subdivision modeling are a hindrance for simpler, flat models with holes, 90 degree cuts, etc.