New client commissions first sales model.

After a run of industrial models we were happy to return to our roots with an architectural sales model for a nationwide house builder. This project was for their upmarket division who hadn’t traditionally used sales models in their marketing suites but wanted to “give it a try” for this compact development of detached executive homes in the north of England. Time will tell but hopefully they’ll discover, like our regular housing clients, what an effective sales tool these models can be and will come back to us for further models in the not too distant future.

Realistically detailed model at 1:150 scale.

Located on a steeply sloping site (as you can see from the photos) this was a model where the topography was almost as challenging as the building itself. Designed over three levels, interlinked by steps and ramped walkways, the villa was an integral part of the surrounding landscape and the two elements had to be modelled very accurately to fit perfectly together. The client actually asked us to produce two identical models, one to be kept in the UK and the other to be shipped to the architect in Spain.

Educational models for two different clients.

We’ve produced a few house section models, or what might be termed “dolls house” models, over the last few years but they don’t come up very often so it was quite a coincidence when two unrelated clients ordered these very similar models within a few weeks of each other towards the end of last year. Both models were to be used as educational aids; one for a London based university and the other for a South coast county council. We delivered the models earlier this month and both clients were delighted with the finished results.

Interactive educational model for children.

We were asked to build this display model based just on photographs of a previous version. The model was to be used as an interactive display to demonstrate to young children how rainfall drains through different landscapes. It was a modular design that could be assembled to show either a forest setting or open fields. The clear acrylic boxes will be filled with different types of drainage materials (as reflected in the painted graphics on the front face of the display). A watering can is then used to sprinkle water over the display and the children can see how fast the water drains through the different layers. The inset photo above shows how all the modular components can be stored in the back of the display which is then secured by the fold-down back-panel.

Three models of 5000 year old tombs.

We’ve just completed these three very different types of architectural models – they’re different because the architecture they represent is over 5000 years old. The Maghera Heritage Centre in Northern Ireland commissioned us to create these unusual models of three local megalithic tomb structures. It was a technically challenging project because it was important that the stones were accurately shaped and positioned and had a realistic looking finish. We also had to make sure that the landscaped setting looked convincing and didn’t detract from the realistic appearance of the stones. The client was very pleased with the finished models and it was very enjoyable for us to apply our architectural model making skills to some very different types of man-made structures.

Custom-built planning tool for Logistics division.

This multi-layered display is a custom-built planning tool for the Ministry of Defence Logistics team. They got in touch with a sketch design (literally a very rough sketch) and asked if it was something we could build. The idea was to create 4 vertically stacked transparent maps showing all the UK MOD bases so that the team could assess varying logistics routes by linking different depots both horizontally and vertically with colour-coded string. Our solution was this aluminium framed design that can be easily bolted together but also “flat-packs” into the white base for storage when not in use (which you can see in the inset pic above).

Educational puzzle made from 5mm coloured acrylic.

Alongside our core work we like to fit in one-off unusual projects like these laser cut educational puzzles for the Neuroscience department at Cardiff University. The puzzles, a simplified representation of DNA, were designed as a rough sketch by the client which we then drew up accurately in CAD for final approval by the university. The initial order was for a set of four but with an expectation of additional units at a later date. We’ve produced similar puzzles for the university before (see Laser-cut Brain Puzzle - Recent Projects, March 2017) and actually used the leftover coloured acrylic for this project.

Landscape model with accurate topography.

This large topographical model is 3m long by 2m wide and is made in four sections that butt together on adjustable height trestles. It’s the second large landscape model we’ve made for this client (see Recent Projects December 2016) and was commissioned as part of a public consultation process for a proposed development near Coventry. The aim of the model was to demonstrate how high embankments and landscaping around the site would screen it from surrounding villages so it was important that the on-site levels and surrounding topography were all accurately recreated. The buildings are shown as massing blocks due to the small scale (1:1250). Each metre is represented by just 0.8mm, so that the 16 metre high commercial buildings shown on the model are only approx. 13mm high.

Accurate topographical model for public consultation.

This 2.5m x 2.5m model was commissioned as part of a public consultation process for a proposed development just off the M1. Comprising 6 A0 sized sections, the purpose of the model was to demonstrate how high embankments and landscaping around the site would screen it from surrounding villages. For this reason it was important that the proposed on-site levels and surrounding topography were all accurately recreated. The buildings are only shown as massing blocks due to the small scale (1:1250). Each metre is represented by just 0.8mm, so that the 16 metre high commercial buildings shown on the model are only approx. 13mm high.

Housing models for national developer    

We recently completed these two sales models for a national house builder, both at 1:250 scale to keep the base sizes reasonably compact. We usually do these sort of housing models at a slightly larger scale (1:200) because it allows us to show plenty of detail but when space is an issue 1:250 scale is a really good option. Although the detail has to be slightly simplified you can still get a good feel for the architecture of the houses and a good overview of the gardens, landscaping and general layout of the site. We’ve been producing these sorts of housing models for almost 25 years so we really know what looks good and helps give the buyer confidence to buy when there’s little more than a muddy building site outside the sales office. We’ve actually got two more of these housing models nearing completion for the same developer with several other sites coming up in next few months.

Shipyard Model – 1:1250 Scale

Every now and then we are asked to turn around a project within a very tight deadline and this was a particularly demanding one with only 8 days to get the job done. The client was actually another model making company who, due to other commitments, didn’t have the capacity to do the whole job in the time available. So they commissioned us to produce the model base/landform whilst they created the ships, cranes, buildings, lights and other surface detail. Once we’d done our bit we “shipped” the base to them so that they could add all the detailed elements that bring the model to life. The model then had to be boxed up and sent to Libya. The developers were very pleased with the final result, particularly as it had been completed in 2 weeks. Typically a model this big would need at least 3 – 4 weeks to complete.

River Bed Model in Fibreglass – Horizontal Scale 1:125,000, Vertical Scale 1:125

Commissioned by Cardiff University’s Engineering Department, this 6 metre x 4 metre fibreglass model of the River Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel river beds was a very technically demanding job, not just because of the huge volume of complex data involved but also because of the sheer size of the project. Comprising several large sections that bolted together, it had to be an accurate representation of the riverbed contours (at an exaggerated vertical scale) because it was being used for physical experimentation in a major research program on tidal power generation.

How we made it

The first stage was to create a “mirrored” negative (upside down and back to front) version of the river bed contours all the way from Gloucester, down the Bristol Channel as far as the open sea. This comprised six major sections and several smaller, infill sections. These contours were made from laser cut acrylic layers supported on an MDF substructure, all fixed onto a structural base board with upstanding sidewalls. To construct the accurate depths and contours we had to create our own CAD masterplan using a combination of traditional Admiralty Charts, CAD contour maps, reams of numbers giving spot depths, and numerous sections through the river bed at key areas.

Once the basic structures of the moulds were built, the contours then had to be blended into a smooth continuous “land-form” using various filling techniques. At the same time great care had to be taken to ensure the contours matched perfectly across the joins between the sections. The contours then had to be sealed and “polished” to a fine finish so that the fiberglass forms would come away cleanly from the moulds once they had cured.

The final stage was to layer up resin and fiberglass matting into the moulds, starting with the “gelcoat” layer (which is in effect the top layer and is the visible finished colour) and then several more layers of resin and matting to build up the structural integrity. The fibreglass sections were then eased out of the moulds and flipped the right way up, ready to be joined together on to a structural sub-frame which supported them all at the right height. The image shows the sections just after they have come out of the moulds. They had been loosely assembled on the floor to check for fit.