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.

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.

Second Industrial Model for ChickMaster UK.

As with the previous model featured in our Latest Projects section this is another example where a company has come back to us for a second model after being really pleased with the first project we completed for them. This is also a similar type of industrial model but it’s at a smaller scale (1:20 rather than 1:8) and you’ll notice that the detail is slightly more simplified. This looks ok at the smaller scale and was sufficient for the client’s requirements; he didn’t need to show every nut and bolt (although we could have done if he’d needed it).

Fourth industrial model for Veolia Water Technologies.

This model of Veolia’s new Orion Purified Water Treatment system is the fourth project we have completed for this major international company. Built from the engineering drawings, the model is extremely accurate and shows all the significant working components of the system to an easily identifiable level. The client plans to ship the model to overseas trade shows so we designed it with internal steel supports bolted to the underside of the base so that it could withstand frequent shipping. We also supplied a custom made aluminium flight case with a tailored internal foam cushion lining.

Wooden playground equipment models at 1:10 scale

We actually produced this set of 10 playground equipment models back in early June but we’ve been so busy through the summer we haven’t had time to update our recent projects pages. These models were commissioned by the UK’s biggest manufacturer of wooden playground equipment and were for use at exhibitions. The main picture above shows the models at their first event. It was enjoyable for us to work with real wood for a change rather than the usual plastics, resins, etc. The client was really pleased with the how the models looked and is planning to commission more models of other designs for future shows.

With remote controlled illumination of water.

This simple but eye catching model was commissioned to illustrate the size and position of two proposed tidal lagoons in the Bristol Channel. The lagoons are designed to generate renewable energy by harnessing the rise and fall of the tides in an area that has the second highest tidal range in the world. The topography is represented as a stylized contour map (with exaggerated vertical scale) laser-cut from white acrylic sheet. The water is shown as blue acrylic with LED edge-lighting to add visual interest. The LEDs can be set to varying brightness and colour using a hand held remote control (visible on the front edge of the model in the main pic above).

…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.

White styled model showing internal room layout.

We produced two conventional housing models last month but this small model was a bit different, showing the internal room layout of the four standard designs on offer in a large apartment block. The stylised internal modelling is considerably less expensive than realistic colour and detail but still gives a clear indication of room function and spatial organization within the apartment. At 1:50 scale the model base is less than a metre long so doesn’t require too much space in a sales office.

Castle themed art trolley in oak-veneered ply.

The client for this project, Hull History Centre, was looking for something a bit different from the standard art trolleys available in catalogues when they spotted a custom built unit we’d made for Cardiff Castle visitor centre in March 2011. They felt its castle themed design was perfect for their requirements and commissioned us to make a similar art trolley for use in their own visitor centre. The trolley is made from very high quality oak faced ply and splits into two units which can be wheeled about on castors.

Marketing model for red brick hospital redevelopment.

Completed in 1845 this sprawling Victorian red brick hospital building is being converted for residential use and the developer needed a site overview model as a marketing tool for their sales office. This was a difficult project because we had to draw up many of the elevations ourselves from photos and original floor plans and we had to accurately reflect lots of small but important level changes across the site. At 1:200 scale we also had to show all the original Victorian stonework detail such as quoins, finials, clock towers and complex chimney designs. The model and a purpose-built display plinth were delivered to site in Shrewsbury early this week ready for a launch event in the New Year.