architectural model
A physical model was needed on an architectural project to explore the physical form for a new tower, starting with a digital model
The stairs and landings of the tower were built up using thicker card, running spanning between painted wooden columns
With the core of the model fixed to a base, I cut out the exterior cladding fins as full length strips of thinner card
The cladding fins were the glued sequentially to the core structure. The real fins will be made of larch timber which will grey over time
The whole tower is wrapped in the fins, except for a viewing window at the top floor
I left two sides of the model unclad, to reveal the inner stair core of the tower
The front edges of the fins describe a triangulated envelope. The eye draws lines along the folds, and shadows where the fin edges appear further apart, in a pattern that changes as you walk around the structure
The permeable cladding creates part-shelter, and over 100 bird and bat boxes will be installed between the fins. The glimpsed views through the structure change depending on the viewing position