Topographical contour model in 4 sections.

Orkney Islands Council asked us to produce this stylized representation of the Scapa Flow area which was to be used for marketing events and as focal point for internal meetings. Due to the size of the model (1.8m x 1.4m) it was constructed in four sections that could be stacked in a flight case for storage and transportation but could also be quickly fitted together when required. Although the islands show a simplified representation of the contours at 25m steps, the main purpose of the model was to illustrate the water depths in Scapa Flow and the surrounding seas. Sea charts normally show the deep areas in lighter blues but because this model was going to be viewed by mixed audiences the client asked us to reverse this colour coding and show the deeper areas in the darker colour. If you click on the main pic to enlarge it you’ll notice we also supplied a Perspex overlay which shows the relative size of Edinburgh to Scapa Flow. This is the third project we’ve completed for Orkney Islands Council this year.

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.

New lease of life for three 15 year old models.

We’re frequently asked to mend an existing model but this project was particularly challenging because it involved three very large, very heavy, 15 year old models, all in poor condition. Furthermore the client wanted a custom-built stand that would display the models one above the other so they wouldn’t take up too much space in their reception area. The main reception desk was made from birch-faced ply so we created this simple, sturdy display stand in the same material. The stand was designed as three separate structures that locked together when stacked on top of each other. We enjoyed repairing the models to give them a new lease of life but what made the project even more fun was designing and building a simple, elegant piece of furniture to display them on.

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.

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.

Overview model and detail model.

The original brief for this project was for a small, easily portable model of a typical noise barrier installation but as the project progressed the client realised how useful it would be to also have a larger scale model showing a single barrier section. This would allow the salesman to point out small but important structural details that improved the overall performance of the barrier, not just for noise reduction but also to reduce the pollution levels from vehicle exhausts. We were happy to accommodate this extra requirement and even managed to adapt the original travel case to fit both models (see above pic).

Fully interactive model for Notting Hill Sales.

One of our existing clients recommended our services to Notting Hill Sales which lead to us producing this fully interactive sales model for one of their major developments in London. The interactive element allows touch-screen controlled illumination of individual apartments with floor plans visible on screen and various filter options such as number of beds, aspect, availability, etc. Due to limited space in the marketing suite, we had to use a smaller than usual scale for this type of model which made it much more tricky to build in the wiring and individual apartment lights. The client asked us to create a “ghosted” but recognisable representation of an existing on-site building so our solution was to model it in clear acrylic, but still replicating a lot of the building’s architectural features – you should be able to pick this up in the photos.

Massing model for proposed arena development.

This stylized model was commissioned to illustrate the massing and general character of a proposed arena development next to a football stadium. The actual development site was made as a removable panel so that a more detailed model of the proposed new buildings could be inserted at a later date. If you look at the overhead view and click on the image to enlarge it you’ll notice that the roof of the arena building was modelled with a semi-transparent “mesh” so that you can see the basketball court and seating inside.

Model for luxury spa resort in Northern Ireland.

The purpose of this model was to illustrate the proposed new accommodation, gardens and spa facilities at this top luxury hotel in Northern Ireland. The client, who had just won a major award, was hosting an industry event and felt it was important that the delegates should see what the new facilities would look like once the building work was finished. It was a challenging project for a number of reasons – the complex topography and landscaping, the numerous cabins, walkways and water features and, not least of which, the fact that the design was still being finalised. On top of this there was a very tight schedule of only 3 weeks to turn the project round. We got it there with a day to spare and, by all accounts, the model was very well received by everyone involved.

Roof terrace presentation for our 6.5m x 5.5m city model.

Four years ago when we built this giant masterplan model as the centrepiece for a Cardiff marketing suite, little did we know that it would become one of the most “travelled” models we’ve ever produced. We’ve set it up at numerous different local events, three locations in London and even a major property show in Cannes. This latest outing was for an important presentation on a roof top terrace of the new BBC headquarters in Cardiff city centre. The building was actually still under construction so we had to negotiate our way past all the different trades working on site when we brought the model in. Luckily for us, the weather was good, as you can see from the pics, and no seagulls came in to land on our scaled down version of Cardiff Bay. The model is now back in its usual location until the next time it has to go on its travels. We don’t know where that will be but wherever it is, we do know the sky’s the limit for our Cardiff City model!

Large illuminated model for marketing suite.

We recently completed this illuminated sales model for a Thames-side housing development in East London. At approx. 2m x 1.4m it is a larger than usual model but the client had allowed plenty of space for it as a centrepiece of their on-site marketing suite. The lighting effects include the option to light up four separate phases individually, controlled by the buttons visible on the front edge of the model. If you click on the right inset image above to enlarge it you can see the high level of detail we can achieve, even at 1:250 scale which is the smallest scale option suitable for this type of sales model.

Fully detailed sales model for the retirement homes sector.

The client for this project got in touch after we were recommended to him by one of our other clients who we’ve worked with for many years. In fact, quite a bit of our work comes via this route and it’s always gratifying to know that our customers are happy to recommend us to other organisations. This model is at 1:150 scale which, as you can see from the photos, allows us to show a high level of architectural detail. It’s an ideal scale choice for mid-sized buildings or compact developments comprising several smaller buildings.

Second model this year for national developer.

Over the last decade we’ve produced several housing models a year for this national house builder and this is the second of three models they’ve ordered this year. They keep coming back to us because they know we always meet deadlines and always produce high quality, accurate models that really help their sales staff do their job. This model is at 1:250 scale which is too small to show a high level of detail but if you click on the images above to enlarge them you’ll see we’re able to show more than enough detail to make the houses, gardens and overall site layout easily understandable. We’re starting the next project for this client later this year.

Phase 2 buildings added after first phase sells quickly.

When we originally delivered this model in March last year the phase 1 buildings were all fully detailed but the client (Enterprise Retirement Living) only wanted grey massing blocks for the phase 2 buildings, three new-build apartment blocks, which were still in the design process. Seven months down the line and with the model helping generate strong sales, the client asked us to add detailed versions of the apartment blocks which we completed before Christmas. The main image above shows the three new detailed buildings we’ve just added. The right hand smaller image shows how the model looked back in March with the three grey massing blocks visible in the background.

Keeping clients happy means repeat business.

Completed just before Christmas, this was the third of three models we produced for the same client last year. We first started working with this client back in 2016 and because we delivered a high quality model at the right price and on schedule they’ve come back to us for 2 or 3 models every year since. We know that keeping customers happy means repeat business and the way we do that is by ensuring every aspect of our service is of the highest quality. We’d welcome the opportunity to become a regular, trusted supplier for your business.