Masterplan Model – Scale 1:1000

This model is essentially a 3D representation of the client’s colour coded masterplan for the redevelopment of a disused quarry site in the South of England. The local planning authorities requested the model so that they could get a clear understanding of how the new mixed use development would fit into the re-contoured landscape of the quarry. Even at 1:1000 scale (1mm equals 1 metre) we had to accurately model all the proposed new contours and levels across the site, including the old quarry cliff faces. The colour coded buildings indicate the proposed usage and maximum roof heights for each of the plots. The colours reflect those used on the original 2D masterplan but toned down to create an aesthetically pleasing appearance for the model.

Military Equipment Model "PURIBAD" Airborne Delivery System – Scale 1:10

Platform, Universal, Rigid Inflatable Boat, Airborne Delivery... is what it stands for, in case you were wondering. The name is an acronym for a platform specially designed for air dropping ready-to-go speedboats (or RIBs) into the sea. The system literally launches itself out of the back of a plane, separates from the boat, deploys parachutes and lands both platform and RIB safely into the water. The platform can be recovered for further use or sunk for covert operations. Having explained what it is now I can tell you a bit about the model. It’s at 1:10 scale (10cm equals 1 metre) and was commissioned as a demonstration tool for use at exhibitions. The client needed all the working components to be accurately modelled (hooks, straps, spring release clips, etc) so that he could explain the simplicity of the design and what made it such a reliable, proven system. It was a challenging project because of the high level of detail required and the wide variety of model making techniques needed to make all the model components. We were very pleased with the final result though and hopefully you can appreciate the quality of the model from the photographs.

Industrial Model of Container Tilter – Scale 1:10

The client for this project needed a working model to demonstrate the unique benefits of their product, a machine to increase the efficiency of container loading. Previously they’d had to ship the real thing to exhibitions at great expense but the working model offered a much more practical solution. Accurately detailed with all the machine’s time saving features fully operational, the model allowed the client to quickly and clearly demonstrate exactly how his product worked. The model’s first trip was to America but with plans for it to travel to many different international venues, we also designed and built a flight case that would protect it in transit and then convert on site into a neat plinth to display the model on.

Food Training Models

This set of five unusual models were commissioned by a college as training aids for teaching about food hygiene and preparation. Essentially the models are three dimensional graphic devices to help give students a better understanding of the composition of different food products. The client was so pleased with the models I have added her complimentary comments to our “Testimonials” page.

Bed for Pica sufferer

We were commissioned to design and build a bed suitable for a child with learning disabilities and afflicted by Pica, an unfortunate condition which compels sufferers to attempt to eat non nutritional objects other than food. The particular problem in this instance was this child’s compulsion to bite and gnaw at her wooden bed frame in the night. Our solution was to create a frame with rounded edges using UPVC tubing with a radius that prevented the child from being able to actually bite. The overhanging frame work also prevented the child pulling up and chewing at the edges of the specially purchased mattress.

Large sales model at 1:250 scale. 

At 2.7 metres long by 2 metres wide this is one of the largest, housing sales models we’ve ever made. The project started off as a phase 1 model only but then the client decided they wanted to market phase 2 and 3 at the same time so asked us if we could model the whole site in one go. With just under 500 units on a complex sloping site this became a 3 month project and we just managed to meet the launch day deadline. For portability and ease of working, the landform is in 4 sections that butt together on a purpose built plinth. The Perspex cover however, was a one piece unit and we had to take a large window out just to get it into the sales office. We’ve got two other models on the go for the same client but thankfully they’re both more manageable sizes.

Two industrial models showing internal components.

SSE, one of the UK’s biggest energy suppliers commissioned us to help create these two demonstration models for use in their educational program in schools. After exploring several different designs we advised them which options were practical to build and also achievable within their fixed budget. The models incorporate cut-away views showing simplified representations of the internal components of a wind turbine and transformer. The wind turbine model is actually designed as six sections that can be easily fitted together to demonstrate how wind turbines are constructed.

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.

Marketing model for national house builder

We recently completed this large model (approx. 2m x 1.5m) for a national house builder but it was actually built in 3 stages as each phase of the development was launched. The main body of the model was built early last year and included the landscaping and road infrastructure of the whole site but only about a third of the houses (representing phase 1 of the development). In the middle of the year we brought the model back to our workshops and added the phase 2 buildings and have now just added the Phase 3 houses to complete the project. The developer uses these models for all of their sites because they are such a useful marketing tool to help sell the houses. We’ve been producing sales models for them for many years and have several more projects in the pipeline for Spring this year.

Life size model of UK satellite

We’ve made several models of satellites over the last few years including the Gaia Spacecraft and UKube Satellite (Recent Projects June 2013 and March 2013 respectively) and, as often happens, this model was commissioned due to a referral from one of the previous clients. These models are mostly used for educational or promotional purposes in the UK but this particular example had to be shipped directly to Mexico for a major presentation. With this in mind we made the model with a detachable stand, push-fit aerials, and fold up solar panels so that the whole thing could flat-pack for shipping.

Realistically detailed model creates a splash at show

The client for this project wanted a model that would be an eye catching centrepiece on their stand at several trade shows throughout the coming year. The company produces a wide range of water tanks for markets all over the world and they wanted the model to illustrate several technical details about their products, both inside and outside. For this reason we made the models as half tanks so the inside could be viewed as well as the exterior. If you click on the photos to enlarge them you’ll see the high level of detail we’ve been able to show at this scale. We also provided a purpose-built aluminium framed flight case to protect it during shipping.

with tailored flight case for model on the move.

The client for this project wanted a demonstration model that could be safely transported and easily set up in potential customer’s premises. Our solution was this 1:15 scale model which was designed as a set of individual units that could be packed into a specially tailored travel case (see image above). The units are only 140mm tall but are made with realistic detail so that their function is instantly recognisable. To complete the picture we also created a “flat-pack” room setting made from white acrylic panels.

 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.