![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-1-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=168&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=bcbfd9eb7b529521bd4dfa0fbdaf3ed5 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-1-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=336&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=474fe193cec96504048e0553d064bb48 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-1-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=614&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=f6f61b2a416c4d48efc6c8f1a756e94a 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-1-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=819&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=514dc77551f6a2cc461479f3fcc821de 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-1-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1120&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=337e925672f0c89fd7c12e7f1cc15a99 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-1-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=707282adda97cdebe3290dddaafaa9ab 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-1-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1536&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=cfcff5cdc707231eb7c0d64ac47e6928 1920w)
The project
Our Grosvenor Waterside project transformed a derelict former industrial site into a new urban quarter featuring close to 300 apartments, a restaurant and bar, all set within a landscaped garden.
The metallic cladding system is etched in a design developed by British artist Clare Woods, transforming the riverfront building into a canvas for a monumental public art work.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-8-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=28a394dc443b7ab5e348e2eb951723dc 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-8-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=93c3ec1e8b4afc86a8f6dcdbfc0cdae2 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-8-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=c0eed4df635e24038081a825e9c4a5df 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-8-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=683&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=7ce5b953b62258fb34ad0ec21764d552 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-8-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=933&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=0f501e3d21d5a9bcadf11f86828914b0 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-8-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1067&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=ea2a8a93449423567060100e7408b738 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-8-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=281668ceae78e8292f217da64a64f6d0 1920w)
The model
The model is one of our largest and most intricate to date, taking a whopping three months to complete. The 9mm MDF base is covered in 3mm of acrylic. The buildings are made from 6mm acrylic pieces fixed together with dichloromethane, and the floorplates and walls interlock around a frosted acrylic lightbox at the core.
The tree-inspired pattern etched onto the facade using our Trotech laser engraver is the same pattern found on the actual building. The 0.25mm brass balcony railings, handrails and fences were made by metal-etching specialists PPD.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-4-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=dd4cecbb08af7f8b8c140cf8d96ac005 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-4-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=a0ed4c372885f9c61724a77402c87b14 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-4-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=2afd95484525a984049213e9bd1613d6 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-4-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=683&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=18eed08105807791e766fd5fda58b730 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-4-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=933&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=4155368d2800fe80bd26e4558fcac028 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-4-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1067&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=66b44796cd55d9bede7d964694aa2352 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FGrosvenorWatersideModel-4-cMake.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=6d1073996ce51c0e36ccce9cefa1bde7 1920w)
The challenges
The test for our model-maker Alex’s skill and patience was in fitting the intricate balconies and approximately 2,000 windows individually cut from Perspex.
The balcony railings were each glued to tiny apertures in the acrylic balcony structures. Getting these to stick perfectly in place and at the correct angle, using tweezers, was no easy feat.
Alex visited the site to ensure he had a good understand of the buildings, their palette and the landscaping. As always, it is important the colours used are as close to the real thing as possible, even if that means reflecting the greyish Thames water, rather than opting for a more alluring Caribbean blue!