“Simply unbelievable!” This was and still is the typical response people have when they see this model. The client was a realtor preparing to launch a new Planned Urban Development (PUD) in Central Virginia. He needed a sales tool which would give him a well-needed advantage over other realtors in a booming market. The solution was a fully modeled, to scale rendition of the completed project. This was to include over 75 mobile and customizable (more on this later) townhomes, roadways, landscaping, a waterway, and a full playground. As you can see in the pictures, this project’s goals were more than successfully met.
The model itself was made using many layers of styrene to create the terrain relief. Styrene was used in order to provide stability and strength versus architectural foam since the display would need to be transportable. Using paint, landscaping buffers, sands, and other traditional materials, the model was created. A stained oak palate would be the final display for the model. Using flexible caulks and leather binding, the sides of the model were molded into the palate.
Each element had to be precisely installed in order to maintain the requirement that the entire model had to be to scale (which was 1” = 32’). My personal favorite was the playground. The playground was made using strips of balsa wood “stained” using thinned paints. The swing set was built from wire with balsa framing and seats to provide a realistic and used look. The base for the playground was formed with sculpting glues and ballast sands. A peculiar challenge was met with the townhomes. The realtor required the units be interchangeable since the buyer would have a choice between several architectural styles. His goal was to create a final product which would truly depict what the final development would look like if you were viewing it from the sky. In four words: “goals met and exceeded”.
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