Bristol-based Amalgam Modelmaking has once again gained their Cyber Essential Certification. After verification of their self-assessment against the Cyber Essentials Standard, assessors BIP Solutions Ltd confirmed that Amalgam met the standards for the scheme. The certification was hence renewed in August this year.
Some clients come to us for a model, when making engineering changes, or re-designing a process flow. These businesses may be working in manufacturing, or energy sectors, where the changes need to be shared with stakeholders around the company, and across the industry. So, today we take a look at the top reasons why a 3D model helps, when explaining a complex or technical process flow. Top reasons for creating a process flow model 1. When a concept is highly technical, a model enables you to simplify it - and use dynamic lighting or coloured parts to mark specific aspects. The SPX Flow Continuous Processing Industrial Display model (shown above) is a great example of how we apply our CAD skills to develop a design ready for 3D-printing a huge number of component parts. Once the parts were finished, they simply clicked together to create the eye-catching industrial display, showing the…
Amalgam are very familiar with building trade show display models, however, it's a rare opportunity for us to get out today, to visit New Blades Show, the annual model makers's fair to visit if you're considering a career in model making. Hosted by 4D modelshop at the Holborn Studios, London, the show features work by graduates from the Arts University Bournemouth, University of Hertfordshire, University of Bolton, City of Glasgow College, University for the Creative Arts and Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology. And we are looking forward to seeing the displays, usually widely diverse in techniques and creative ideas. It's an exciting day for the graduates. Industry sponsored prizes are available - and it's an opportunity for them to meet potential employers and consider their career path. We wish them all the best of luck. Our recruits While we're visiting the New Blades Show, it's a chance…
Beyond dynamic lighting, there are other methods for making a masterplan model interactive. Our recent interactive masterplan for Ecotricity was developed as a simple, chunky, massing model, to assist with decisions being made in the formative stages of the design. Ecotricity founder and Forest Green Rovers Chairman, Dale Vince, wanted us to create an interactive masterplan model for their new Ecopark scheme. The site included the Forest Green Rovers new home stadium and sports campus, an environmentally conscious ‘Green Technology Hub for likeminded businesses from the green economy, and natural wetland reserve set around a redirected canal. Forest Green Rovers have also recently shortlisted nine stadium designs from almost 50 entries by architects based around the world in a competition to create the club’s new home. Adapt the masterplan with an interactive model The customer knew they needed a physical model, but were facing multiple challenges. The designers began with…
While static 'on-off' lighting within architectural models has become standard practice, dynamic lighting can help a model stand out to win a competition or a bid for a new contract. Our system forms an incredibly flexible platform to display something as simple as tonal 'breathing' between colours, to forming the core of a rich interactive experience. Fundamentally, dynamic lighting is another tool at our disposal to help achieve our client's goals, and is a service we offer to create striking, contemporary models. The model we made for HOK and TAC Arquitectes of Barcelona stadium shows how we can use dynamic lighting with variations in colour to achieve a prominent 'wow' factor, and add layers of interest and detail to a design still in its formative stages. As dynamic lighting engages the audience - and can work interactively - it's a step across the gap between a physical model…
Continuing our theme of interactive models, our own Chris Conlon will be speaking on 21 September at The Building Centre in London. The Physical Model in a Digital Age focuses on how we can combine digital and physical realities to create interactive architectural models which enhance the impact of a design. The image above is an example of an interactive table that Amalgam and Intergalactic are offering clients in the EMEA region. For years, we've been exploring how people can interact with architectural models at a greater level – to switch colours, specifications or highlight underlying infrastructure in a master plan. Chris Williamson of Weston Williamson + Partners will also speak, and can comment first hand on how important it is for architects to create an engaging model to represent their design. So Amalgam is moving forward with the help of Intergalactic, an award-winning digital agency, to unite…
This tactile architectural model, made for BDP, differs from 'traditional' architectural models in that it is designed for the blind and partially sighted - the information has been presented to be interpreted by touch. With tactility in mind, we set about experimenting with texture. Instead of paint effects to visually indicate various surface finishes such as concrete and limestone, the paved and pedestrian areas are different textures; instead of vertical internal walls and block offsites, the model has been made in relief, with the walls represented as crisp raised ridges. Other features include soft felt strips to represent furniture. A standout feature of the tactile model is the 3D printed Braille labels set around the base, indicating road names and various other features. After a number of experiments at reproducing Braille using lasercutting processes, we ultimately decided that 3D printed Braille was the preferreable option, owing to its precision -…
Bridge Exhibition Educational Models at CSBVC The Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor's Centre, CSBVC, is hosting our Bridge Exhibition, each bridge being an engaging educational model to teach the engineering principles of bridges to youngsters. The exhibition was previously installed at the Architecture Centre on Bristol's lively waterfront as part of the Bridge's 150th anniversary. Details on the Architecture Centre exhibition can be found here. The Bridge Exhibition features a range of different bridges presented as kits; for example, the 'Arch' bridge is made with a system of blocks, which must be put together in the correct sequence for the bridge not to fall apart. In every case, these educational models were designed so that children could understand the forces and principles at work. The educational models were designed and fabricated completely in-house, with factors such as durability, ease of use and safety firmly in mind. Shape My City at…
The Architectural Model: Exploring Scale and Vision opens today! We are delighted that our architectural model show, Exploring Scale and Vision, opens to the public today and hope that you find time to visit The Architecture Centre in Bristol between 21 January and 15 March to see it. Many of our clients have loaned their architectural models and project photos to the display, for which we are grateful – thank you. Highlights on show include several planning models from Conran and Partners and Stride Treglown; competition models for Weston Williamson – the Living Bridge, Miami Metromover and Luton Airport and Caspian, the architectural model boat built for Claydon Reeves, Redcliffe ProCathedral, and the model of Cheddar Gorge commissioned by NVB Architects for Longleat Enterprises Ltd and case studies to help explain the process of making architectural models. The Architecture Centre is hosting several events during February which we are supporting…
Exciting news from our workshop in the run up to Christmas – we are busy preparing the next exhibition for the Architecture Centre, and it’s all about one of our favourite topics – yes, that’s right, The architectural model. To develop the display we were asked to reveal the processes behind our craft and share our insight on how an architectural model contributes to design. Of course, it all begins with great design – whether the model is for an architect or even a product prototype – yet when we interrogate their design we have a unique opportunity to help our clients realise their vision. An architectural model – irrespective of its’ key objective, for a competition or planning consultation – always offers the audience something special which a computer generated image (CGI) cannot. With our models, we use a wide range of techniques to capture the essence of a…