![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F4-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=d1ba4ddfd3e1194e4c576523b28db082 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F4-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=ef7695b5cbac04554041d16476dfd2f3 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F4-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=fb068835eaf72fadb0e25fd5f40e5020 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F4-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=682&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=fc6a5baceff5d3afe74586a9e7db2d6a 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F4-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=933&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=0f1e5908c540517a0ed160eea664f146 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F4-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1066&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=be3b933d24eff383cba11bbc261ac761 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F4-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=efa6c9ae5ff70a6e83bd1962cdb02176 1920w)
The model
This model initially started life as an engineering model, to show how the truss and concrete deck would interact. Initially a clear acrylic deck was used to allow the inner structure of the bridge to be seen. Once this model had been used for its initial intended purpose, it came back to the modelshop to be updated. This time it was going to be used for the client and planners, so it needed to illustrate how people would use the bridge and surrounding public space – this meant adding a full colour deck and ground level. Along with adding trees, plants, benches and other animation, we also added food carts and bicycles to animate the model.
To replicate the core concrete deck and truss structures with a high degree of accuracy, we used SLA 3D-printing. For the first version of the model, we used clear acrylic to create the walkway, partnered with mirrored acrylic for the ground level – allowing the truss to be seen without anyone having to lean down and look under the model. Acrylic paint was used on the second iteration of the model to replace both pieces.
We used steel etchings without a spray finish to represent the railing and appear like the real material. We experimented with different paint colours and techniques to represent the finishes of Salford Rise, with different colours for the bridge, pedestrian route and decking. The benches, street furniture and food trucks were made from laser-cut acrylic – this required us to split the 3D model into parts that could be cut. We then used our 3D printers for some of the extra details.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F3-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=47360454cfe8e62b800c5e45e8bbac67 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F3-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=c28333b9e62b35095171ef3c70f24023 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F3-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=028bcb1e780c890d9d84d4e2ed69cf63 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F3-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=682&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=668efb408271f514b39240f48212ba35 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F3-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=933&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=3301a024d5b3f98fb76a7cdc84417f9d 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F3-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1066&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=3dae9953f5ff9c2ad5f7d2249d8e2bab 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F3-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=8fa6c5cfd3af15ef790e8e5b9ac55bd7 1920w)
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=9603bb00394f9d331e96c270c2941a39 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=520fc380618977d773ad23835efe0d5b 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=1001d52a835de13c8802c168a0bb2720 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=682&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=008c6d4fe80dbe769979325ff96637e1 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=933&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=e73289a0ff0b63c3594e336fd3a34daa 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1066&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=72520785e9c076ee15cbf66a535f4aeb 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F2-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=ec66326d59df5986aab2fbf97303ed92 1920w)
We used steel etchings without a spray finish to represent the railing and appear like the real material. We experimented with different paint colours and techniques to represent the finishes of Salford Rise, with different colours for the bridge, pedestrian route and decking. The benches, street furniture and food trucks were made from laser-cut acrylic – this required us to split the 3D model into parts that could be cut. We then used our 3D printers for some of the extra details.
3D printing allowed us to make the model really quickly. Using the CAD model, we 3D-printed a kit of parts. Once the parts were printed, sanded and sprayed, they could be easily assembled. Metal etchings also allowed us to create a very thin and strong hand rail – similar to what would be used on the actual bridge.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=148b19c1d0c084e866d5faf1b831cd84 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=e3f67fd08540c359668f1b744dde56dc 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=358686626779aba78665bad0b6ce64fb 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=682&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=f2d9e05f84d956bba181abf0a34fca1b 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=933&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=33f196ccdc976c511625e75ebef76cb9 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1066&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=5504c65e534aeeb25c5d48abb7f403fc 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=894768d439a616de2dd4f5d3c1218e23 1920w)
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F5-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=9217ea832cb5dfb73a5fc29b071b1127 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F5-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=1bc941bc35145075efd139d93b07fd87 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F5-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=9f160e12e54da4f7690a6e0af208e930 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F5-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=682&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=19c2e402cdd743940196412978429ce3 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F5-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=933&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=e5f68de289734dc512cf97bb36884842 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F5-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1066&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=53942890c8c211540c873c9ac6a8a3d8 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F07%2F5-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=dd96b4fb1a8390788db055842a3d0697 1920w)
This model is an interesting one for us, because we got to revisit and adapt it for a new intended use. Changing it from an engineering model to a fully animated, planted model was a challenge; however, as the model was mainly 3D printed, the parts were easy to dissemble and reuse for the second iteration. We were able to carefully take the model apart and ensure it could support itself without any extra reinforcements.