Roof-off view of Porter’s Lodge refurbishment, St John’s College, Oxford.

Whilst the majority of the models we produce are about external appearances, occasionally we get a project like this where the main purpose is to show internal views. Often the best way to do this is to create a model with a “roof-off” view like this recently completed model showing the planned internal refurbishment of the Porter’s Lodge at St. John’s College, Oxford. We’ve shown the new proposals in full colour to differentiate them from the existing buildings which are stylized and painted white. Part of the refurbishment proposals include a new front courtyard with an arched colonnade entrance feature which is why these areas are also shown in colour. The courtyard retains all the existing trees, some of which are close to 300mm tall at 1:50 scale. We actually custom-made all the trees to reflect the shape and characteristics of the real trees.

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.

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.