They’re like busses!

You know how it is, you don’t get a warehouse model for ages then two come along at once. We’d only just started our previous very large warehouse model when this project came in from a completely unrelated client. Although this building was a lot smaller, the overall spec was very similar in that it too had to have a cut-away roof to show the internal automated pallet retrieval and return system. Because the building was smaller we were able to use a larger scale than the previous project (1:200 instead of 1:300) which allows us to show a slightly higher level of detail for the internal components – and made them marginally less fiddly to produce!

A big model for a mega sized warehouse.

Representing a half kilometer long warehouse, at 2.4m x 1.2m this model was close to the limit for a model that could be made in one piece whilst still being a manageable size to transport. And when I say “manageable” it still took four men to move it any further than a few meters in our workshop. We quoted for this 1:300 scale option but also showed costs for a smaller 1:400 scale version which is an equally suitable scale for these type of large industrial buildings. A further option was a cut-away roof which, as you can see, the client went for as he wanted the model to show the automated retrieval and storage system.

New client commissions first sales model.

After a run of industrial models we were happy to return to our roots with an architectural sales model for a nationwide house builder. This project was for their upmarket division who hadn’t traditionally used sales models in their marketing suites but wanted to “give it a try” for this compact development of detached executive homes in the north of England. Time will tell but hopefully they’ll discover, like our regular housing clients, what an effective sales tool these models can be and will come back to us for further models in the not too distant future.

Second model this year for the subsea industry.

Last month we produced a life-size model of an offshore mooring component and we’ve followed that up this month with another “under water” project, a 1:8 scale model of a seabed scanning machine that locates unexploded ordnance on the sea floor. This was a technically complex project because it had to include a movable boom arm and a traversing gantry linked to two belt and cog mechanisms on opposite sides of the main structure. The model was set on a sloping seabed to demonstrate the self levelling legs that were a major feature of this sophisticated piece of equipment.

Industrial Model For The Offshore Mooring Market.

When we were commissioned to produce this 2.2m high display model of a mooring component for the offshore wind turbine industry, the client’s overriding brief was to keep it as light as possible to make their lives easier when transporting it overseas to exhibition events. They also wanted it to fit into two compact, flight cases, including the stand, so it could shipped as “extra luggage” on flights. Our solution was to use vac-formed plastic shells for the main body of the model and hollow box construction for the yellow end sections which kept the overall weight under 20Kg. To split the model between the two flight cases we designed it in four main sections that could be easily assembled on site. We then designed a stand that could be “flat-packed” into the flight cases but was also easy to assemble on site.

Third sales model this year for major UK house builder.

This is the third sales model we’ve produced this year for one of the UK’s biggest housing developers. We’ve been supplying high quality sales models for their marketing suites for over 12 years and have another very large project for them booked in later this year. An important feature of this site was the sloping topography which had to be very precisely modelled so that the gardens with retaining walls and steps could be accurately represented. If you click on the right inset pic above you can see a close up example of these level changes.

2.2 metre high model of navigation buoy.

A company that produces and maintains navigation buoys around Britain’s coastlines asked us to produce this quarter scale model of one of their standard buoys for use at exhibition events. At 2.2m tall it had to be made in sections that could be packed in flight cases for shipping but that could be easily assembled on site. If you click on the main photo above you can see the full extent of the model. To add some extra visual interest we came up with the idea of mounting it on a clear Perspex tube to give the impression that it was floating.

Two 1 metre long models for Finnish client.

We’ve produced many different satellite models over the years and recently completed two identical 1m long models for a client in Finland. The models have three removable hanging hooks because they’ve been designed to hang above an exhibition stand at an upcoming event. In one of the inset photos you can see how we used clear acrylic angle brackets to support the solar panels which weren’t strong enough to be self-supporting. The models were packed in two flight cases strapped to a pallet and arrived safe and sound in Finland last week.

Detailed models of three historic sites.

Back in 2021 we completed three models of megalithic tombs for a Heritage Centre in Northern Ireland (see Recent projects – May 2021) and they were so pleased with them they came back to us for three more models which we’ve just completed. As you can see from the photos above, they were three very diverse sites; a ruined church, a disused Water Mill and a landmark Cairn but hopefully we’ve captured the spirit and character of each of these three historic sites. All the models had to be interpreted from very limited information, chiefly consisting of images from reference books in conjunction with current site photos.

Detailed model with extending fold-down ramp.

At 1:25 scale this model of an aircraft boarding system was only 450mm long but as you can see from the photos we were able to include plenty of realistic detail including scaled down branding and and even a fold-down ramp. The finished model also came with a clear Perspex cover and a foam lined transportation case.