Guildford Cathedral floor-plan tactile model, September 2017.

With the refurbishment of the cathedral interior, the project also undertook to improve and enhance the visitor experience and information display. MC Modelmaking were commissioned to produce a tactile model of the floorplan for orientation, and to assist visually impaired visitors understand the space they were exploring. Modelling exterior and interior walls, floor level changes and steps, and including text and braille interpretation, the model needed to be made in a hard-wearing attractive material. Bronze-filled GRP was chosen as a suitable material, so the model was laser-cut and engraved in acrylic, moulded with RTV silicon and cast with epoxy resin containing the bronze powder. With careful polishing and buffing, the floorplan created a tough metallic finish that could be easily cleaned and able to take the knocks and scratches of daily use.

With some additional display and educational model work undertaken, the finished cathedral display was completed in time for the revealing of the 2-years-long refurbished interior plaster and stone work.

Model scale – 1/200. Client – The People’s Cathedral Project, Guildford Cathedral.

Cooper’s Hill Residential Village, Surrey. 

Installed by MC Modelmaking this month is an interactive sales model of this retirement village set near the Thames and the Runnymede Estate. Modelled at 1/100 scale, this scheme combines the detailed existing Victorian buildings with two new wings and surrounding groundworks. With each apartment individually lit, the front-mounted tablet controls lighting, floor plans and apartment specification, as well as highlighting details about the residents’ leisure facilities and the surrounding area.

Model Scale – 1/100.

Client – Audley Retirement.

Power Generation and Transmission Demo Model, June 2017

This model was required for an exhibition to explain core facilities and processes involved in the generation and transmission of electricity and energy. The approach was a stylised, graphic-look of model, with bold colours, simplified detailing and a selection of different scales in order to portray the essential ideas in a friendly, easily understood model. The model formed part of a larger exhibition display for the client.

Client – UK power generation and transmission company.

Private House in Sevenoaks, May 2017

As part of the design approval and planning of this private residence, the architect commissioned a model to depict the house in detail. The model depicted the ground levels and adjacent properties to assist in the planning process, as well as capturing in detail the design features such as double-height ceiling living space and landscaped garden at 1/100 scale. The model was made from maple timber and veneer, with the proposed building modelled in white and clear acrylic. Cork texture and planting was used to be sympathetic to the timber finishes.

Model scale  – 1/100.

Client – ADP London.

Navigation Marker in GRP/Bronze. Upnor, Medway – March 2017

Following on from MC Modelmaking’s bronze Medway map at the new Historic Dockyard entrance, we were commissioned to produce seven navigation markers to be positioned across the Medway Towns. Each of these models would signify important historical features through modelling and text,  and each location would be identified on the map to orientate the viewer. The models are GRP mixed with bronze powder, polished and buffed to look and feel like real bronze, and were additionally reinforced with a steel frame.

The first marker is located next to the entrance to Upnor Castle, with other markers identifying the Great Lines, Fort Amherst and The Barrier Ditch to follow.

Model scale – 1/2600.

Client – CHDT and Medway Council.

Tower Bridge Educational Model, February 2017

To assist in the activities run within the educational department, our client required a light-weight and demountable model of the bridge. The bridge was to have positional bascules and a graphic applied to the tower structure. The model measues approx. 1 metre high.

Client  – Tower Bridge Museum

Iverna Quay, Apartments in Greenwich, London – November 2016

As the Greenwich Millenium Village development continues, MC Modelmaking were called in to provide a sales model to assist in the sales within the marketing suite. Made at 1/100 scale, this illuminated model of the latest phase complemented the other models we have provided for this site, and captured key elements of the new 70 apartment block including parking, landscaping, solar panels and decorative glass screens on the balconies.

Model Scale – 1/100

Client – Countryside Properties

Springhead Park, Ebbsfleet – Sales Models – October 2016

Ebbsfleet Garden City in Kent is a large development site pushing ahead with the next stage in residential homes and infrastructure development. Having developed earlier phases on this site, our client continued with the next phase and required models for the marketing suite. A large site model showing new and future phases, as well as housing association phases was produced, as well as two large scale ‘exploded’ houses. These were two designs that featured a number of times on the site, the models showing the internal layout, bathrooms and external features to customers in a suitably large scale – each floor was elevated above the one below.

Model scale – 1/200 and 1/25

Client – Countryside Properties

Ellerslie Retirement Village, Malvern – interactive sales model – September 2016

Our client requested a sales model that, at a suitably large scale, could act as an interactive sales tool that combined the model with internal lighting, an interactive touch screen with bespoke software, and computer generated images. All these elements were combined to deliver a visually exciting sales tool that informed the customer and showed the current development in context from the nearby marketing suite. With over 100 apartments within a hillside development, the challenge was to accurately depict the setting and buildings, while enabling the interactive element to select and display these, and other features. Additionally linked to a large wall-mounted screen, each apartment’s information and CGIs are also viewed by other customers during the presentation.

Model installation also required a display cabinet and console that MC Modelmaking supplied as part of the commission.

Visit the development site at – https://www.audleyretirement.co.uk/our-villages/ellerslie

As part of the ongoing relationship with our client, MC Modelmaking also provided Audley Retirement with an interactive model at their Redwood site – https://www.audleyretirement.co.uk/our-villages/redwood

Model scale – 1/150.

Client – Audley Retirement.

Acton Gardens Masterplan – illuminated sales model, London – June 2016

Countryside Properties are overseeing the urban transformation of a large part of Acton, West London over the next 10 to 15 years, and MC Modelmaking were commissioned to provide a detailed masterplan model showing this project now, and for the future. Installed in the Acton Gardens marketing suite, the model illumination is divided into the four quarters of the development, each building internally lit. Detailed buildings show the completed/current phases, where translucent block buildings indicate the phases to come.

The model depicted the surrounding area in a simplified form, indicating key roads, rail lines, stations and park/landscaped areas.

Model scale – 1/500.

Client – Countryside Properties.