![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-4.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=263&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=3bc5b5780fc5d38ec5362e79893a0040 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-4.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=525&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=24339a78eb3664ba8efe9d1ca6ad91a1 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-4.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=960&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=0088b23cf8e9ab9a9e02ad3a586f0bfd 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-4.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=1d8b97c0205bfaae6f35456ea65ed64b 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-4.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1750&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=f71f46e959522dae8480af45dbb92b7d 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-4.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=2000&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=f702e2da9df4cf5987dcaf20d9d77ce2 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-4.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=2400&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=f3aa3a55cace8c2ac8818dad0bb8a417 1920w)
The models
For Ropemaker we made 1:20 and 1:10 scale models for elements such as the ceramic joints, main entrance, stone corners, and the clock at the top of the tower.
We use this scale for making iterative working models – like the ceramic joints – which help isolate and solve particular design problems such as the junctions between different interfaces or various atypical details. The scale is also good for proof-of-concept models – like the main entrance – which show the design is on track and help to get things signed off.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=b36d8f5bfdfc98f34b15e46671fcfa29 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=a3081dec5dfae118d76d62e37c465d35 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=d0a864391d7c7da8572bb35dcccd0598 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=683&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=afcd70e673fd7621ca984ac9bb6b5755 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=934&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=a30953b19baeac9256f4b95ddc418045 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1067&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=40a63375fc0312b0150f53c9eabada94 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-2.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=ff363c40888b9e9e3aa636b099008f11 1920w)
How we made them
Main entrance (1:20)
A clear, 3mm acrylic tube forms the main door and structure of the model; the metal frame supporting the door is made from spray-painted 1mm acrylic adhered to both sides of the tube. (In the actual building, the main door will be formed of individual panels of glazing within the frame.)
For the double-height steel panels curving around either side of the door we used spray-painted 3mm acrylic, heat-bending it around a sub-frame that creates depth between the glazing and the panels. The same is replicated inside the door, where the slotted panels allow for ventilation. Also inside the door is a ring-shaped hanging light, made with sprayed acrylic and hung with piano wire. The rest of the glazing and framing – including the single door to the left of the main door – is all made from 1mm acrylic.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=315&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=0ca77284f9e7138a27acb03a0e26e30f 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=630&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=df08d38d0bdf227d0009a4c05225ed29 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1152&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=6d4f97be58e4dcf029d79e0f8da6e212 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1536&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=cfe00d6a0483e6362d5441f02752a68e 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=2100&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=5411c599508ceeb0a92fa9a4cce9249c 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=2400&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=763a45355b80ac214606aca246f48e4d 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2FRopemaker-model-entrance-Make-3.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=2880&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=cb36570846d46102eab65e93b080716a 1920w)
Outside, each of the four limestone-clad columns is made with four individual panels of laser-cut acrylic, and clad in different-sized panels of 1mm clear acrylic. This extra layer helps create the panelisation lines and recesses of the cladding design. We sprayed all four columns with a specially mixed paint to match the ‘crème royal’ stone.
The granite entrance flooring is made with 3mm acrylic, engraved and lasered to show the surface pattern and sprayed with a special mix of dark grey paint. For the pavement and road, we used a special setting on the spray gun to achieve the speckled effect.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F06%2FRopemaker-model-detail-Make.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=54d24f29362e975d3a43c9ae431ea944 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F06%2FRopemaker-model-detail-Make.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=8969365a2a9ba506cf5cde39e9f8470a 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F06%2FRopemaker-model-detail-Make.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=8f7e719256359a074382938bd0df544d 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F06%2FRopemaker-model-detail-Make.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=683&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=33ddf6225868d9796926e40e6d582bed 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F06%2FRopemaker-model-detail-Make.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=934&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=fb63a66f962a6bc55a79f636606c219b 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F06%2FRopemaker-model-detail-Make.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1067&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=b3eed46a5b3c396a58849dccde59164f 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F06%2FRopemaker-model-detail-Make.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=58903c61f6a1b475cfb5908cf6490f9a 1920w)
Ceramic joints (1:10)
These sectional models represent the corner details of the ceramic facades where the vertical spandrels converge with the parapet. We began making models of them as they were too complex to explain using a digital model. Initially we were 3D-printing 1:50 models, but found they didn’t pick up the detail well enough, so we switched to 1:10. Because we’d be making 5-10 different iterations at a time, we modelled them in Rhino, which is simpler than Revit.
We printed and joined all the joint panels individually, fixing each finished joint back to a sub-frame structure, which is how they will be constructed on site. The model sub-frame structure is made of interlocking laser-cut acrylic components, while the real one will be aluminium. Using acrylic like this allows us to show the inside detail, rather than having a monolithic print where the facade and structure are a single unit.
Each new model informed the next, and we realised how useful they were at illustrating the design development, particularly to the clients. It was at this point that we decided to get the colour right, as the actual panels will be dual-glazed in an ‘anthracite bronze’ shade. To achieve this, we used a mix of custom car paint – the kind used for hot rods and race cars – and different lacquers to match the colour, depth and reflectiveness of the actual glazing.
The heightened realism of these models went far beyond what we’d achieved with the 1:50 models, and they set the precedent for how we’ve made other 1:10 models on this project.