Mixed Use Development Block Model – Scale 1:500

One of the purposes of this model was to demonstrate how the massing of the proposed new development steps progressively down from the tower blocks on one side of the site to the low rise buildings on the other. You can see this particularly well if you click on the Enlarge Image button. The model also illustrates the physical barrier created by a major rail line adjacent to the site.

Bangor University New Building – Scale 1:400

One of the main purposes of this model was to demonstrate how this major new building addresses a complex, steeply sloping site. It was also used to illustrate the scale and massing of the new development in relation to the existing university buildings and the surrounding townscape.

New Hospital – Scale 1:400

More and more clients are cottoning on to just how useful 1:400 scale can be. If the model has to be kept compact, either for portability or due to lack of space, but also needs to clearly illustrate the architectural character of the buildings, this scale option is well worth considering. This model gives a good overview of the site layout and general massing and the high level of detail in the buildings is a very authentic representation of the proposed materials and finishes.

Planning Application Model – Scale 1:750

This is another excellent example of how clear and informative a 1:750 scale model can be, despite the main building being less than 50mm tall. The proposed new building is made to a surprisingly detailed level with crisp representation of the architecture, including window fenestration. This style of model is quick and relatively inexpensive to produce but the clean, fresh appearance has charm and clarity, which goes a long way to help sell a scheme.

Redevelopment Area Planning Model – Scale 1:1000

We’ve made several models for local government backed redevelopment areas, and this was the third such project in the last couple of years. Winning all of them through a strict tendering process we had to demonstrate that we could deliver outstanding quality at a competitive price. This small scale model was used to illustrate the masterplan for the proposed redevelopment of a huge decommissioned steelworks site.

Floor Plan Model – 1:50 Scale

The client, one of the country’s biggest national home builders, asked us to create a model that showed the internal layout of a typical floor plan so that prospective purchasers could visualize the room spaces in the different apartment designs. This 1:50 scale model uses clean, white finishes and stylized representation of furniture/fittings to give the viewer an instant understanding of room usage and spatial organization.

Small Scale Housing Model – Scale 1:500

This is an unusually small scale for a housing development marketing model – 1:200 scale or 1:250 is more typical for this type of project. This small scale was chosen due to limited space and a tight budget. But although this lacks the detail of the larger scales it does convey a clear easy to understand overview of this large spread out site. The grey blocks represent existing buildings that are not part of the development. If you click on the Enlarge Image feature on the picture, you’ll see that a surprising level of detail is shown (even though the house elevations are only about 14mm high) and we’ve even created accurate topography with stepped roof levels and sloping contours, etc.

Housing Marketing Model – Scale 1:150

October was a busy month and some of the projects are still ongoing – here’s one we did finish though, a marketing model for one of the UK’s largest house builders. We produced a similar model for the same company back in August and they were very pleased with the results. This one has been extremely well received as well. At 1:150 it’s at a slightly larger scale than normal for these sort of developments. This was because the client wanted to ensure that prospective buyers could easily appreciate the carefully designed levels and contours of this complex sloping site.

Housing Development Model – Scale 1:200

Commissioned for use in an on-site Sales Office, this is a typical marketing model for a new housing development. We have produced scores of these models over the years and this particular example was for one of the UK’s largest house builders. They liked it so much they’ve now asked us to quote for another.

Children’s Hospital Model – Scale 1:200

We were very pleased to be involved with this extremely important local project. This compact, portable model is being used to help raise funds to build the second phase of the much needed Children’s Hospital for Wales. The proposed new building is modelled in full colour and detail adjacent to the existing phase 1 building which is shown as a white massing block. The rest of the general hospital context buildings can be seen in the background, shown as grey massing blocks.

Model of Refurbished Theatre – Scale 1:150

The most difficult aspect of this project was representing the blue-grey patina and diamond motifs created by the unusual galvanized steel “shingle” cladding. It would have been much easier to show on larger scale model but unfortunately the budget wouldn’t stretch to that. If you click on the Enlarge Image button you can see a close up of the effect we managed to achieve using laser-engraving and multi-coloured paint textures.

Town Centre Redevelopment Model – Scale 1:500

The planning authorities requested a model be produced for this development because it was very difficult to appreciate how the proposed new buildings were going to fit into this mostly sloping site in a sensitive town centre location. This stylized, monochromatic model was made to demonstrate how this relationship worked, using very accurate topography and faithful representation of all existing and proposed building massing and roofscapes. The designers were even able to get some informative ground level views by photographing the model with a modelscope camera (see the circular image).

Hospital Model – Scale 1:200

This model was commissioned to illustrate the proposed first phase in a major redevelopment of a local hospital. 1:200 scale was chosen because it meant we could show a good level of detail whilst keeping the model compact. The small size was important because the long term plan is to make a separate model for each phase of the development and then join them together to create an overview of the whole project.

Planning Model for Wandsworth Council – Scale 1:500

Wandsworth Council needed this model to help evaluate the massing and overall layout of a range of different redevelopment proposals for the area. The context buildings are shown in white, the existing on-site buildings in light grey, and the proposed new buildings in a light buff. All the on-site buildings were made removable so that the team could experiment with the various options. The model was made in two halves for easier transportation and came with custom-built protective flight cases.

Wind Tunnel Testing Model – Scale 1:150

We’ve produced many models for the Welsh School of Architecture Research & Development Department and this is the latest. These models are put into a huge wind tunnel facility and tested for a wide range of airflow related issues. They don’t have to look pretty, hence the grey context buildings. The building being tested, in this instance for its natural ventilation effectiveness, is made from clear Perspex to facilitate the positioning of internal pressure taps which provide the crucial airflow information.