New Hospital – Scale 1:400

More and more clients are cottoning on to just how useful 1:400 scale can be. If the model has to be kept compact, either for portability or due to lack of space, but also needs to clearly illustrate the architectural character of the buildings, this scale option is well worth considering. This model gives a good overview of the site layout and general massing and the high level of detail in the buildings is a very authentic representation of the proposed materials and finishes.

Planning Application Model – Scale 1:750

This is another excellent example of how clear and informative a 1:750 scale model can be, despite the main building being less than 50mm tall. The proposed new building is made to a surprisingly detailed level with crisp representation of the architecture, including window fenestration. This style of model is quick and relatively inexpensive to produce but the clean, fresh appearance has charm and clarity, which goes a long way to help sell a scheme.

Redevelopment Area Planning Model – Scale 1:1000

We’ve made several models for local government backed redevelopment areas, and this was the third such project in the last couple of years. Winning all of them through a strict tendering process we had to demonstrate that we could deliver outstanding quality at a competitive price. This small scale model was used to illustrate the masterplan for the proposed redevelopment of a huge decommissioned steelworks site.

River Bed Model in Fibreglass – Horizontal Scale 1:125,000, Vertical Scale 1:125

Commissioned by Cardiff University’s Engineering Department, this 6 metre x 4 metre fibreglass model of the River Severn Estuary and Bristol Channel river beds was a very technically demanding job, not just because of the huge volume of complex data involved but also because of the sheer size of the project. Comprising several large sections that bolted together, it had to be an accurate representation of the riverbed contours (at an exaggerated vertical scale) because it was being used for physical experimentation in a major research program on tidal power generation.

How we made it

The first stage was to create a “mirrored” negative (upside down and back to front) version of the river bed contours all the way from Gloucester, down the Bristol Channel as far as the open sea. This comprised six major sections and several smaller, infill sections. These contours were made from laser cut acrylic layers supported on an MDF substructure, all fixed onto a structural base board with upstanding sidewalls. To construct the accurate depths and contours we had to create our own CAD masterplan using a combination of traditional Admiralty Charts, CAD contour maps, reams of numbers giving spot depths, and numerous sections through the river bed at key areas.

Once the basic structures of the moulds were built, the contours then had to be blended into a smooth continuous “land-form” using various filling techniques. At the same time great care had to be taken to ensure the contours matched perfectly across the joins between the sections. The contours then had to be sealed and “polished” to a fine finish so that the fiberglass forms would come away cleanly from the moulds once they had cured.

The final stage was to layer up resin and fiberglass matting into the moulds, starting with the “gelcoat” layer (which is in effect the top layer and is the visible finished colour) and then several more layers of resin and matting to build up the structural integrity. The fibreglass sections were then eased out of the moulds and flipped the right way up, ready to be joined together on to a structural sub-frame which supported them all at the right height. The image shows the sections just after they have come out of the moulds. They had been loosely assembled on the floor to check for fit.

Detailed Internal Layout for Luxury Health Spa – Scale 1:100

Occasionally (not as often as we’d like) we get a real challenge in terms of authentic detailing of a model. This particular project was just such a case, its purpose being to show the internal layout and detailed finishes of a luxurious new health spa. The client wanted all the proposed internal fixtures and fittings accurately reproduced, from massage beds and gym equipment right down to floor colours and tile patterns. One of the close-up images features the finely detailed fins of the building’s sophisticated solar shading system.

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.

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.