Highly detailed model of American house.

Now en route to the USA (in a custom-made flight case) this was a very technically demanding model with lots of complex curves, highly articulated elevations and multiple level changes as the building responded to the contours of the site. The architect wanted the model to reflect the different external materials so we used our top of the range laser-engravers to pick out the stonework elements, fine brick detailing and traditional shingle cladding for roof and elevations. If you click on the lower right image above to enlarge it you’ll see some of this detail. The project was further complicated by the requirement for internal illumination – our solution was to incorporate commercial grade RGBW LEDs with remote control which allows full adjustment of colour and brightness. This was one of the most complex architectural models of a single building we’ve ever made but we were very satisfied with the finished result and we’ve had extremely positive feedback from our US client.

Detailed sales model for North London residential development

Sometimes a project turns out to be much trickier than expected and this was definitely the case with this illuminated sales model for a North London residential development. Not only was it on a complex sloping site with lots of surrounding context buildings, it also had heavily articulated elevations composed of many different materials including a very specific range of metallic finishes. The client was very concerned that these finishes should be accurately represented and we spent a lot of time working with the architects creating sample swatches to make sure the colours on the model were as authentic as possible. The requirement for general illumination added further technical complexity to the project but in the end it all came together as planned and the client was delighted with the finished result. In fact we had an email from him with the following comments "We have just been to the agents office to see the model for the first time. It’s fantastic! Thank you so much for all your hard work on this project. I’m sure it will help enormously to sell the units off plan...".

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.

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.