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.

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).

Two-sided educational puzzle for Cardiff University.

These multi-coloured 2D puzzles are part of a set of six commissioned by Cardiff University to help teach young students about different parts of the brain. They wanted a puzzle based on an existing, brightly coloured 2D diagram so we suggested creating the sections from layers of different coloured 5mm thick acrylic. This meant the pieces were self-coloured all the way through, rather than having a painted or printed finish which could chip, and we were able to to laser-engrave thin vein lines on the front faces and labels on the backs. We also laser-cut the profiled trays from two layers of white acrylic and created small cardboard folders to protect the puzzles when not in use. The client was delighted with the finished puzzles and plans to order more in the near future.

1:20 scale sectional model of commercial building.

This is the third educational model we’ve made for the University of South Wales. As with the previous two projects in our Latest Projects section this is another example of a satisfied customer coming back to us with a new order. Aimed at students in the construction sector, the purpose of this model was to illustrate the major elements that make up a typical commercial office building, including foundations, steel work, cladding components and final external finishes. As you can see from the images this was a very technically complex project but the client knew from previous models we’d produced for him that we had the skill and understanding to deliver an extremely accurate, perfectly detailed demonstration model.

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.

Stylised  internal view of manufacturing plant.

The brief for this project was to create an eye catching but very stylized representation of this proposed factory layout. The client didn’t want too much detail because many of the manufacturing processes were confidential. At approximately 1.2m x 1m and 700mm high, this was a large, technically challenging model that needed to be strong enough to withstand frequent shipping to trade shows and exhibitions across Europe. We added strength by building in steel reinforcement for all the major components which were then fixed through to the underside of the structural base. We also supplied a Perspex cover and sturdy white plinth that could be “flat-packed” under the model in a purpose-built, high quality flight case.

Fourth model this year for national developer.

One of the UK’s largest housing developers has come back to us again for a 4th sales model this year. They’ve been coming to us for many years for their sales models because of the consistent high quality and value we deliver every time. This model was particularly challenging because of the steep topography of the site which meant that virtually every plot was on a different level. As a sales tool it was important that we accurately modelled every step, retaining wall and embankment across the site so that purchasers could easily understand the levels and contours around whichever house they were looking to buy.

Third project this year for South of England developer.

As with the previous post, this is one of three sales models we’ve produced this year for another of our regular clients who keep coming back to us for high quality sales models for their marketing suites. This model was at 1:150 scale which is the ideal scale option for smaller housing developments. Larger developments typically need to be at 1:200 scale or even 1:250 scale just to keep the model base to a manageable size. We were planning to post photos of all three projects this month but two of the almost completed models have gone on hold at the last minute due to some late design changes on site. It’s probably going to be a couple of months before the other two models can be fully completed but hopefully we’ll be able to post finished pics towards the end of this year.

Third sales model this year for major UK house builder.

This is the third sales model we’ve produced this year for one of the UK’s biggest housing developers. We’ve been supplying high quality sales models for their marketing suites for over 12 years and have another very large project for them booked in later this year. An important feature of this site was the sloping topography which had to be very precisely modelled so that the gardens with retaining walls and steps could be accurately represented. If you click on the right inset pic above you can see a close up example of these level changes.

Sales models for two housing developers.

Earlier this month we delivered two housing models to different developers on the same day. We’d actually finished both models a few weeks earlier but neither client had their marketing suite set up so they asked us to store the models until they were ready on site. Both marketing suites were completed in early August and, whilst we deliver projects all over the UK, on this occasion the sites were less than 40 miles apart so it made sense to deliver them on the same day. We produce at least a dozen of these residential sales models every year alongside industrial and display models of all types for a variety of different marketing requirements.

1:250 scale sales model updated.

We recently added a new phase of houses to this very large sales model. The overall site model was originally completed in August 2020 but only the south part of the site had detailed houses because the north phase was still at design stage. To minimise the time the model was away from the sales office we made all the buildings in advance in our workshop before collecting the model to update the landform. This is something we’ve done quite often when a client is marketing a development in phased stages. Unfortunately because the model had to be returned to site as soon as possible we only got time to photograph it in our workshop, so the photos aren’t the best.