Architects models

Author
Discussion

marcg

Original Poster:

405 posts

202 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
Hi all,

I run a tiny architects practice - 3 of us - working on projects up to 20 flats (but generally one off houses). We've set up a new office in prominent high street location and would like to have something in the window to show off with. It's been years since any of us have made a cardboard model and I'm not inclined to dedicate the few days it would take and the cut fingers... I'm wondering if there is a plywood or cardboard cutting service that is reasonably priced or alternatively...

Does anyone fancy making us a small model for about £150?

I'd love to put more money into it but no-one is paying us to do models so it's coming out of the company. I know I can get professional model making companies to do it for £4-600 but I don't need that level of accuracy. I'm quite happy with student level work, in fact it looks better for us if it looks like we made it. I've thought about asking a student but they generally either don't want to because they're too busy or will do a half-arsed job for quick money.

I'm thinking something of this level of quality:


This is the first project I was thinking of having a model made of:



Any takers? Or suggestions?

dr_gn

16,399 posts

191 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
If you've got CAD renders, is it such a big deal to print the elevations onto card, cut out, and stick them together?

fiatpower

3,181 posts

178 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
Why don't you get it 3D printed?

marcg

Original Poster:

405 posts

202 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
DrGn - can't print on to card on our laser printer... only heavyweight paper. Good idea though... will think it though further, might do something with paper and tabs...

Fiatpower - I don't think that would be cheap enough. Unless you know otherwise?

blueg33

38,471 posts

231 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
fiatpower said:
Why don't you get it 3D printed?
I know a few architects who do this to try different buildings on city centre sites. Its not especially cheap by all accounts

dr_gn

16,399 posts

191 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
marcg said:
DrGn - can't print on to card on our laser printer... only heavyweight paper. Good idea though... will think it though further, might do something with paper and tabs
You could stick printed paper onto thick card. I wouldn't use paper/tabs for a structure like that - scored and folded card would be better IMO.

I've built a couple of paper ships recently, and a lot of HO scale model railway buildings in the past. The results can be surprisingly good in card. It's actually something I've wanted to do with my own house, but never got around to it.

marcg

Original Poster:

405 posts

202 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
What is the best way to stick paper to card? I've used spraymount in the past and it either soaks the paper, making it stretch or it misses sections, making it not bond to the card?

marcg

Original Poster:

405 posts

202 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
Btw, love your work!

dr_gn

16,399 posts

191 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
marcg said:
Btw, love your work!
Ta thumbup

dr_gn

16,399 posts

191 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
marcg said:
What is the best way to stick paper to card? I've used spraymount in the past and it either soaks the paper, making it stretch or it misses sections, making it not bond to the card?
Not thought about it really! Depends on how big the surface is I guess. Pritt Stick is OK, but I use PVA for all paper models. When I have to double a part up for strengh I usually spread the PVA over one sheet, put the other on top and then place the two pices in a massive book, with something heavy on top, until completely dry. This seems to keep the wrinkles out.

SAB888

3,442 posts

214 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
marcg said:
What is the best way to stick paper to card? I've used spraymount in the past and it either soaks the paper, making it stretch or it misses sections, making it not bond to the card?
I'd also go with sticking the Cad images onto card or foam board using something like Spray Mount. Shouldn't be too difficult to create a reasonably good 3D model that way. Used to use Spray Mount quite a bit and you get better the more you use it. You do need to get the correct all-over coverage.

ReaderScars

6,087 posts

183 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
marcg said:
it looks better for us if it looks like we made it. I've thought about asking a student but they generally either don't want to because they're too busy or..
.

Have you searched peopleperhour for modelmakers in your region? Should be worth a try.

bucksmanuk

2,331 posts

177 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
3D print it, unless your model is too large for a "normal" 3D printer.
Our local (Aylesbury) Cartridge World does 3-D printing, others may do likewise…

jules_s

4,539 posts

240 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
Personally I think you would get a bigger WOW factor with a monitor and some slideshows

I very much doubt you will get far with £150, and the last time I turned up with a 'model' to a meeting with the clients they looked at me like I was a madman rolleyes

CubanPete

3,638 posts

195 months

Monday 20th March 2017
quotequote all
3D Printing will be expensive.

Look for a local company with a 'Trotec' or similar 2D cutter to build up a contour model as in your photo.

Alternatively there are plenty of companies that will CNC ut plywood, look for local timber merchants, boatbuilding suppliers, Camper van outfitters, model shops etc.

lufbramatt

5,426 posts

141 months

Tuesday 21st March 2017
quotequote all
marcg said:
Hi all,

I run a tiny architects practice - 3 of us - working on projects up to 20 flats (but generally one off houses). We've set up a new office in prominent high street location and would like to have something in the window to show off with. It's been years since any of us have made a cardboard model and I'm not inclined to dedicate the few days it would take and the cut fingers... I'm wondering if there is a plywood or cardboard cutting service that is reasonably priced or alternatively...

Does anyone fancy making us a small model for about £150?

I'd love to put more money into it but no-one is paying us to do models so it's coming out of the company. I know I can get professional model making companies to do it for £4-600 but I don't need that level of accuracy. I'm quite happy with student level work, in fact it looks better for us if it looks like we made it. I've thought about asking a student but they generally either don't want to because they're too busy or will do a half-arsed job for quick money.
Fair play if you can get someone to do this, but as an industrial designer who's "pretty good" at 3D modelling it does grate when I get asked to "quickly CAD something up" for pennies.

Would you design me an extension for £150? Doesn't need to be Norman Foster standard but it would only be a few days work... ;-)

Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 21st March 08:50

ecs

1,296 posts

177 months

Tuesday 21st March 2017
quotequote all
They could be 3D printed using a Z-Corp - this uses plaster and an ink jet of glue to build the layers up. It's pretty quick and inexpensive if you can generate an STL file from your CAD. I used to do this sort of thing years ago but I'm no longer in that industry so can't suggest anyone who can do the work for you.

marcg

Original Poster:

405 posts

202 months

Tuesday 21st March 2017
quotequote all
lufbramatt said:
Fair play if you can get someone to do this, but as an industrial designer who's "pretty good" at 3D modelling it does grate when I get asked to "quickly CAD something up" for pennies.

Would you design me an extension for £150? Doesn't need to be Norman Foster standard but it would only be a few days work... ;-)

Edited by lufbramatt on Tuesday 21st March 08:50
No, but I'd let my technician moonlight for you to draw up something you'd designed and are taking responsibility for, at £25 per hour. I take your point but you are looking at it from the wrong end. I'm looking for someone used to earning £12 per hour and looking to pay them double. I'm not looking for someone at £50 per hour and looking to pay them half.

Vocal Minority

8,582 posts

159 months

Tuesday 21st March 2017
quotequote all
blueg33 said:
fiatpower said:
Why don't you get it 3D printed?
I know a few architects who do this to try different buildings on city centre sites. Its not especially cheap by all accounts
I can believe that, but we have a pretty tasty one of Bristol City Centre in our office at the moment from an agency launch- looks incredibly slick and impressive.

It may be worth investigating or at least getting a quote for one of your small blocks or a couple or three houses on a street scene. They do look the business and will last.

Glasgowrob

3,264 posts

128 months

Tuesday 21st March 2017
quotequote all
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Architects-Builders-house-...



eBay try searching for scale models as well