Welcome all new starters and welcome back to returning students!Â
Last year proved to be a great success for our workshop and we hope to deliver more of the same for you this time around. In response to our student feedback survey we have implemented, and are in the process of implementing, some great positive changes to the workshop set up. Here’s what we’ve been up to….
New Work Benches
One of the main issues we come up against is a lack of working space which was clearly spoke about in our recent student feedback survey. To help improve on this we have consolidated some of the ‘Staff Use Only’ Machines together freeing up space for an additional two workbenches.
We have also replaced the big ‘cubby hole’ style box benches that were located at the back of the room. These provided very limited storage space and we feel by replacing these with more of our existing locking cupboard benches they will serve much better purpose.
Updated computer software
The workshop computers have all been replaced and updated with the following software:
- AutoCAD Architecture 2016
- Autodesk Maya 2016
- Autodesk Mudbox 2016
- Autodesk 3DS Max 2016
- Advance Steel 2016
- Revit 2016
- Rhinoceros 5 with Grasshopper
- Sketchup Pro 2016
New On-line Store for Materials and Services Payment
Payment for materials and services such as Laser cutting and 3D Printing can now be made using credit card transaction within the workshop. Students wishing to pay for materials will be required to list the materials and or services they have been quoted for and present a confirmation receipt that can be shown on screen within the workshop.
To read the full walk through guide to the new payment system click here.
Unfortunately we can no longer accept payment vouchers however you can still use these at the A4 & More Store and as print credit at MMU. Apologies for any inconvenience this might cause.
New Materials in Stock
This year we are now stocking styrene strip material to aid your modelmaking. Rather than spending time to cut and create small components such as ‘I’ Beams and Roof Trusses these extruded strips are pre-shaped and easily cut to any desired size. This is much like you would buy ‘stock’ items when building at scale and should save a lot of time particularly when constructing section and detail models. The full up to date list of our materials and our initial stock for styrene strip can be found on the materials list here.
New 3D printers
Providing an increased service capacity we have invested in two new 3D Printers to help produce components to complement your models.
ProJet360 Powder Printer – This printer (shown above) provides a closed build and cleaning station and produces fine quality monochrome powder prints.
Pegasus Touch SLA Resin Printer -Â This printer uses UV curing resin to create models in a variety of coloured resins. This printer will temporarily be located in our office to keep it maintained in a clean environment.
A more in depth description of these process can be found on the link detailed below.
Updated guides to 3D printing, Laser cutting and CNC machining
In an effort to make it easier for you all to get set up and understand how we use different machines for modelmaking we have written updated outlines on file formatting and considerations when preparing your files. In addition to this we have written descriptions of the different processes and pro’s and con’s to be aware of.
These will be uploaded soon on the Machine Booking and File Prep Page here.
Main Tool Cupboard
As a result of our new ProJet 360 Powder Printer we have relocated our main tool cupboard. Hand and power tools can now be found in the far corner of the room by the wood turning lathe in a much bigger tool cupboard.
New Books
We have added some new books to our modelmaking making library. Please feel free to look at these for reference in the workshop.
- The Model and Its Architecture, Partick Healy, 2008
An in-depth theoretical study of models as a response to problems in design and their multifaceted applications.
- My 36 Years of Model Making in Hong Kong, King Y.Chung, 2012
Veteran Hong Kong Modelmaker King Chung charts his modelmaking career working on some of Honk Kongs most famous building projects giving insights into problem solving and application of models in practice.
- Folding Techniques for Designers: From Sheet to Form, Paul Jackson, 2011
‘How to’ style handbook for creating forms from folding paper. This could be particularly useful for initial idea sketch modelling and could also be used as a basis for more refined model construction.
- Modeling Messages: The Architect and the Model, Karen Moon, 2005
A detailed theoretical history with examples and quotes from some of architectures more famous figures. A wide range of model styles, their context and application are covered in a well balanced written and visual history of the field.
Symposium Videos
Over the summer we have been releasing the video presentations from our Symposium, ‘Modelmaking in the Digital Age’ which took place back in March. The presentations provide an insight into how modelmaking has evolved and is used throughout architecture. For those who missed the event we recommend having a watch as the day was extremely insightful to anyone wanting to know more about using models in their work.
Links to all of the video presentations can be found by clicking here.
B.15:45 Exhibition
Following several discussions we are pleased to say that the B.15:45 Architectural Modelmaking Exhibition will continue and be updated periodically due to its success as a learning resource and general popularity within our school. The exhibition will remain largely untouched for the start of the 2015/16 academic year but updates will be made and additional more recent examples will be in 2016.
Future Plans
We will be negotiating a way to gain additional storage space that will then allow the installation of spraying and spray extraction equipment to complement our facility. This will take some time but be assured we are working on it!
Following the success and popularity of our student awards for modelmaking last year we intend to run the same scheme again with a longer lead time to get the most out of every projects. We will provide more information when plans for this are finalised so stay tuned!
As always we will be keeping an eye on other institutions and practice to give as many insights into modelmaking in architecture as we can. A summary of our recent trip to Delft Technical University and the Mecanoo architecture practice will be uploaded soon.
Once again, Welcome back and we hope to make this year even better than the last for all involved. See you soon!
Jim and Scott
