Industrial model featuring interactive illumination.

Although we specialise in architectural models we also regularly produce high quality industrial models such as this model of a Cryobattery power station which incorporates interactive LED illumination. The CryoBattery system uses renewable sources to compress air in tanks which can later be used to generate power. In effect, it acts as large battery to store energy for when it is most needed. This is very much a stylised representation of the facility with the strong colours being used to indicate different parts of the process. The LED illumination rises slowly upwards to the top of the vessels and then gradually drops down again to represent the “filling up” and “emptying” phases of the CryoBattery facility.

Set of 7 models shipped in Pelicases.

The client for this project initially had the models 3D printed but quickly realised that the quality of finish wasn’t good enough for their requirements so they decided to contact us for help. They wanted to use the models for marketing purposes so it was important the technical spec and level of finish reflected the high quality of their product. We designed the models in three parts that could be easily slotted together including two interchangeable options for the top section. The rotors were able to be freely turned and we recreated the yaw action which allows the turbine assembly to turn and face the direction of the wind. We also added the reflective solar panels shown on top of the wind deflectors and finished the models in the specified white RAL colour. We then provided a Pelicase with tailored foam inserts for each of the 7 models which you can see in one of the photos above.

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.

White styled model to show proposed new development area.

We’ve worked with several different county councils across the UK but, as you’d expect, we’ve done a lot of work for our local county council and this master plan model is our latest project for them. Commissioned as a part of public consultation process one of the major purposes of the model is to demonstrate the scale and extent of a proposed major redevelopment of the area, including a new Arena venue for concerts and events. Although it’s hard to pick up in these photos, the existing on-site buildings are shown in light grey and the proposed new buildings are shown in white. The model also incorporates LED illumination which is used to highlight some of the key proposals.

Roof-off view to show new machinery layout.

This model was commissioned to illustrate the proposed new factory layout for a precision engineering company serving the aerospace industry. The model was to be used initially for evaluation purposes prior to finalising plans but had a secondary function as on-going staff-training tool. To keep costs down the level of detail on the machinery was kept to a stylised level but the individual machines also needed to be instantly recognisable to their highly skilled workforce. The colour coding was added to help clarify zones of operation. The upper floor of the offices and the mezzanine level in the production area were both made as removable elements to facilitate a clear view of the ground floor layout.

Our Latest Projects | Modelmakers | Interactive Model

6.5m x 5.5m model of Cardiff at 1:750 scale

 

 

Here’s a first glimpse of the massive project we’ve been working on for the last 5 months, a 6.5 x 5.5 metre interactive model of Cardiff. We set it up for the first time yesterday at a major launch in the Cardiff City football stadium where it was the centre of attention for over 200 specially invited guests. The model has been designed for use in a permanent marketing suite to promote the city of Cardiff to national and international investors. It is a fully interactive model controlled via a large touchscreen which activates over 30 different lighting zones on the model and at the same time displays relevant information pages on the screen. The touchscreen images are also projected onto a large screen above the model so that the information is visible to all. More information to follow soon.

Button controlled model for Northern PowerGrid

Our Latest Projects | Modelmakers | Interactive Model

…well, an event nearby, at least. .

We were asked to take our 6.5m x 5.5m interactive model of Cardiff up to London for an event that coincided with the London Marathon. As it happened, the venue was very close to the finishing line in Pall Mall which caused all sorts of problems with access for unloading and setting up the model. With some detailed advanced preparations, including advising the police that two white vans and a six man team would be arriving in the area, we were able to overcome all the issues and ensure the model was on site looking its best for the event. Our well-travelled model has been to many different venues including three trips to London and one to Cannes.

Our Cardiff model shines at Cannes Mipim

 

We’re just recovering from transporting our 6.5m x 5.5m interactive model of Cardiff all the way to Cannes and back for the Mipim 2015 property marketing event. We had to pack the model up in two large vans, drive for 2 days to Cannes via Eurotunnel, set the model up, hang around Cannes for 3 days (it wasn’t all hard work) and then do the whole process in reverse, getting the model reinstalled in its marketing suite in Cardiff for a VIP event last week. Fortunately the model was specially designed so that it could be taken apart and transported to different locations as this was a major requirement in our original brief. So far it’s been to Cannes this year, London Mipim last October, and a couple of local venues earlier last year. No doubt we’ll be off on our travels again soon – watch this space.


 Interactive Masterplan Model 1:750 Scale

 

By all accounts, our 6.5m x 5.5m interactive model of Cardiff stole the show at Olympia during London’s inaugural MIPIM global property conference last week. Our team set it up on Tuesday for the 3 day event and then dismantled it on Friday evening, bringing it back to Cardiff (in two vans) where it is shortly going to set up in a permanent marketing suite. Once the model is in its new home it will be used to promote the city of Cardiff to national and international investors. It is a fully interactive model controlled via a large touchscreen which activates over 30 different lighting zones on the model and at the same time displays relevant information pages on the touchscreen. The screen images will also be projected onto a giant screen so that the information is visible to all.

Interactive model with speed and direction controls

 

This unusual industrial model was a real challenge on two fronts – firstly because of the very complex shaped components involved but also because of the requirement for a very specific interactive element. The thruster comprises a large propeller that forces water downwards through a deflector that can be rotated through 360 degrees to direct the water thrust in any direction. This is the USP of the client’s product and, as such, he wanted the model to incorporate a rotating propeller (with speed control) and a movable deflector (clockwise and anti-clockwise) at 6rpm. We also had to work out how to mount the model in a cut-away view of a ship’s bows and create a cut-away view of the thruster to show the main working components. The model was recently shipped in a large flight case to a trade event in Germany – one of the inset images shows it on their stand.

Cardiff City model moves to County Hall.

 

After being centre of attention at the football Stadium event, our Cardiff City model is now on temporary display within the County Hall offices in Cardiff Bay. As you can see from the images it’s a much more low-key venue but we’re told it does get a regular stream of visitors, from politicians and potential inward investors right through to police officers from other cities who use the model to help with crowd control planning for visiting football supporters (sadly not from premiership teams this year!). It’s going to be in County Hall for a few more weeks before moving to its permanent venue in the new Library (opposite John Lewis) where it will be open to the general public. Since the stadium event we’ve added a few tweaks and improvements to the model itself and to the interactive element including a new “All lights on” button which lights up all 36 of the model’s lighting zones at the same time.