Modelmaking in the Digital Age Symposium Videos: James Smith, Amalgam Modelmaking Ltd

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Workshop

“As commercial modelmakers we look at all the options available to us to make sure that we’re making the best model for the client’s money. I think this is what makes modelmaking companies like ourselves a bit different than the generic 3d printing bureau who will just be pushing this one method.

When you come to a commercial modelmakers that does a lot of things under one roof they can advise you on the best way to do something rather than just saying this is the way to do it”

The profession of modelmaking exists outside of the walls of architecture in almost every creative field you can think of. Amalgam Modelmaking Ltd in Bristol prides itself on being able to take on as many of these projects as it can handle. James Smith, Head of Architectural Modelmaking at Amalgam, explains how the wide array of skills under one roof has helped them to meet commercial demands no matter what the requirement. James’ insight from the middle of Â the architect/client relationship is provides a facinating and often overlooked viewpoint of the process.

Modelmaking in the Digital Age Symposium Videos: Ken Grix, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Workshop

I’m not a trained modelmaker. I was a qualified Architect when I started and at first I felt a little like a fish out of water until I realised you could make models do whatever you want. It’s more like an art sometimes, especially when you’re working with concept models than an actual process of representation Ken Grix

In the second of our presentations from Modelmaking in the Digital Age in-house modelmaker and architect Ken Grix talks through his approach to modelmaking at Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios in Bath. The relationship between the studio and workshop environment is considered integral to the design process at FCB and Ken’s projects clearly convey this.

1:50 Site Model for Extreme Cold Accommodation by Tom Smith

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Workshop

Recent Part 1 Graduate Thomas Smith was one of the few shortlisted and eventual prize winners in our recent modelmaking award scheme. His project which looks at ‘Fuel poverty accommodation for an extreme cold climate’Â balanced the benefits of laser cut components with fine hand crafting to made a crisp clean presentation standard model.

By considering the next steps beyond a medium, in this case laser cutting, the results can be fantastic and the skill and understanding conveyed is self evident.

“The model conveys the overall structure and form of two of the building typologies I have designed. The elements of the model act in the same way as the structural elements I propose to incorporate.

The finish of the plywood when etched works well to represent the replaceable larch cladding, and the smooth un-etched finish replicated the internal finish of the structures and the walls and floors will all be finished with ply. The clear acrylic represents glass and the polycarbonate shell, allowing me the illustrate internal conditions in terms of lighting.

I feel that I have learnt to ensure that I plan how I am going to construct the model first to ensure that what I want to produce is achievable.”

Tom’s finished model is shown below. We wish him all the best for the future!

Modelmaking in the Digital Age Symposium Videos: Professor Nick Dunn

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Workshop

“We often, in a good way – don’t know what we’re doing. We don’t know what the possibilities may be which is why making a model can be very productive. […] They explore a journey. They tell us things that we didn’t necessarily know and we can get surprised sometimes by what’s produced. These are part of a narrative behind the design that becomes very very important.” – Professor Nick Dunn

Our first speaker at Modelmaking in the Digital Age was Professor Nick Dunn who currently works at ImaginationLancaster and was a former lecturer here at MSA. Professor Dunn opened the talks by explaining as he puts it ‘the archaeology of application’ of architectural models.

For those unsure about the origins and development of architectural models as tools Professor Dunn provides a fascinating insight here.

Modelmaking in the Digital Age Symposium Videos: Introduction from Dr Raymond Lucas

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Workshop

“Modelmaking is one of these core activities within architecture and it’s something that we often take for granted. It’s a key way of us actually exploring what it means for us to produce architecture” – Dr Raymond Lucas

On March 9th we hosted a day long symposium on the theme of Modelmaking within architecture and how its role has changed from the different perspectives in which it takes place. The presentations and debates from the day were recorded in full and we are pleased to able to present them here to all who were unable to attend or have an interest in the field.

The event was chaired by Head of Architecture at the University of Manchester Dr. Raymond Lucas who, in our first video explains the key areas in question.

Colwyn Bay Conservatorium 1:250 Massing Model by Kristian James

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Workshop

Continuity 5th year student Kristian James produced this 1:250 massing model to outline the existing jumbled mass of buildings enclosing his site. The final model form was refined after careful consideration for the role of the model in his project. As the massing was an indication of form rather than a detailed representation, hand crafted block forms were chosen over detailed engraved or printed inserted models.

Kristian summarised the project:

“Using a range of recycled hardwood timbers, I built a 1:250 site massing model which conveyed the different elements of the project. The natural aesthetic Â properties of the timber were used to subtly suggest a difference in the design but also retained the desired rustic effect.

With this in mind, the model was left in its raw state and the time spent on the model was used towards create a high quality finish.

The CNC machine was also used to remove the road path from the site base.

During the build of this model, I spent a lot of time building elements using hand tools, which although may have taken longer, provided a far more accurate finish.

Unlike most models I have made in the past, I did not laser cut any components and therefore each element was bespoke and done by hand.

Although far more stressful, it was very rewarding and resulted in a product that was far more beautiful than anything I had created before of this size.

I would summarise by saying that a good model in my opinion should integrate both modern and traditional techniques!”

Mecanoo B.15 Modelmaking Awards

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Workshop

After many months of hard work from everyone at MSA the end of year show was officially opened at a private view event on Friday. We were pleased to include a new award recognising the use of modelmaking in students coursework.

Judging took place during Friday afternoon where we were joined by representatives from Mecanoo, Professor Tom Jefferies, Dr Ray Lucas to mark the short-listed work in person. From the outset it was clear this was going to be a difficult competition to win due to the high quality of the featured work.

Spending time to look at each piece in detail, the judges marked out of 50 based on our criteria.

The total scores caused a heated debate about the winners resulting in the decision to restructure our prizes from one to three winners for BA (Hons) as final scoring was so close.

Ernst ter Horst and Patrick Arends from Mecanoo noted that they were “inspired by the exceptional level of quality throughout and it’s important to stress these winners were all on a knife edge with scoring”

The winner of the MArch prize was of “outstanding quality and creativity delivering a fascinating model of beguiling interest!”

Winners were:

Overall BA (Hons) Winner – Paul Thornber

Highly Commended BA (Hons) 2nd Place – Sara Hammond

Highly Commended BA (Hons) 3rd Place – Thomas Smith

Winner of the MArch Prize -Â Hajir Alttahir

Individual descriptions of the winning projects written by the students can be found in the complete short list document available to view here.

We are thrilled with the response this award has had and are confident we can continue to recognise the great modelmaking work of our students with this as an annual award. As stated by Mecanoo we would like to repeat how close the scoring for this was and that every project picked was done so because of great quality and individual attitude to making which was believed to be fantastic so well done to everyone this year!

Good luck in your future careers!

Scott and Jim at B.15

Mecanoo B.15 Modelmaking Awards 2015 Shortlist

Posted on June 8, 2015 by Workshop

The last month has been somewhat chaotic here in B.15 as the deadlines and come and gone we are still working towards one final date. This Friday our annual end of year student show will be accompanied by an all new award for modelmaking as we previously announced.

The short-listing for this award has now been completed and can be viewed along with descriptions of the projects by clicking here.

The award will be judged in person by ourselves, Mecanoo, Dr Ray Lucas and Head of MSA Tom Jefferies this Friday ahead of the opening and presentations at 17.30.

Good luck to all nominees!

Scott and Jim

B.15:45 Extended Interview with Sally Stone

Posted on May 20, 2015 by Workshop

In continuation of our individual extended interviews on modelmaking for B.15:45 here is Principal Lecturer Sally Stone talking about the uses of models in her Atelier, Continuity in Architecture.

‘Wood Street Mission’ 1:20 Section Model by Katie Williams

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Workshop

Year 6 MArch student Katie Williams wrote about her final major modelmaking project for us:

“The project is an extension to the existing building of the ‘Wood Street Mission’ charity, near Spinningfields. Due to it being an extension in a constrained site, the design had to respond to the existing ornate Victorian building, as well as create spaces for the existing and new programmes (and users) to connect. The extension aims to reflect and reinterpret the structural strategy of the existing building by using brickwork detailing on the facade, and a glulam frame internally to support floors and the roofs. Key details include recessed imprinted brickwork on the facade, large perforated brick openings and angled roof support beams. This 1:20 model is a section through a covered terrace area on the top floor of the four storey building. This space was chosen as it incorporates the key design details, as well as showing the terrace floor build-up, the internal floor, curtain glazing wall, the roof build-up and the parapet detail.

Where possible, materials were chosen that are a true representation of the actual construction. The glulam roof beams are cut from hardwood, and the internal roof finish is birch ply. Due to the angles involved in the roof, wood was easy to model with as it could be sanded and shaped. Most of the floor build-up was also done using realistic materials, such as foam board for insulation, and Styrene plastic for the waterproof membrane. The roof build-up is less accurate in terms of showing battens an cross-battens under the tiles, but the waterproof membrane is the actual tape used in construction. The brickwork facade and primary structural blockwork are represented in MDF. The facade brickwork was laser cut to show perforations and spray-painted in brown. The parapet cover is vacuum-formed grey Styrene plastic, which was then cut to fit over and around the top of the walls.

The construction of the model helped me to realise the construction issues that were not apparent in a 1:20 section drawing, for example the continuation of insulation on the inside of the terrace area.

When modelling the angled roof beams and working out the angles they should be sanded, it helped me understand the connections that I had previously struggled to model digitally. This was my first time using spray paint finishes and it makes a great difference to finish off laser-cut wood nicely.

On reflection, I can appreciate that in order to achieve the level of finish I am now happy with, the (whole) day spent planning the model was key.

If you fail to plan you plan to fail!“

This project is successful as it carefully balances necessary detail with material choices. The scale of 1:20 is perfect given the amount of layered detail Katie chose to show in her construction and the choice of this corner section was well considered as it shows a good selection of details and finishes that would expand throughout her whole design but are not necessarily required in their entirety to understand their application.

The success of this project is largely down to planning and material awareness. Rather than making the medium her binding constraint and only working around a particular tool, Katie rightly chose to dissect her model into components to help her understand its form as well as considering the most appropriate method of manufacture to represent each part.

It is clear is how well Katie understands the assembly of her building and the lessons learned in making this presentation model no doubt only strengthen that.