David Ryan
All work

Model making / Technical drawing

Transforming a Location

Technical drawings and a detailed model of a real location, transformed into a fictional environment

Enlarge the photo: Transforming a Location: The finished model
Fig. 1The finished model
Role
Research, site measurement, technical drawing, model making, set design and visual development
For
Wimbledon College of Arts (university project)

The story

One of my favourite projects from university. We were asked to select a location, measure it accurately, and produce a detailed set of technical drawings. I chose the side entrance at Wimbledon College of Arts.

I then transformed the space into an abandoned British railway yard inspired by the 1960s, fictionalising it as the Stafford Road Works in Wolverhampton. To add authenticity and detail, I even incorporated period-accurate newspapers into the scene.

I first built a white card model to test the scale and accuracy of my drawings. This became a reference for developing the final colour model, allowing me to translate the technical drawings into a more atmospheric and detailed environment.

Process

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Enlarge the photo: Reference
Fig. 2Reference
Enlarge the photo: Reference
Fig. 3Reference
Enlarge the photo: Technical drawings of the side entrance at Wimbledon College of Arts, including the main plan and elevations, drawn at 1:25 scale
Fig. 4

Technical drawings of the side entrance at Wimbledon College of Arts, including the main plan and elevations, drawn at 1:25 scale

Enlarge the photo: Transforming a Location, photo 1
Fig. 5
Enlarge the photo: White card study model, constructed as an initial test to verify the scale and dimensions of the technical drawings
Fig. 6

White card study model, constructed as an initial test to verify the scale and dimensions of the technical drawings

Enlarge the photo: Front view of the white card model, showing the overall form and proportions of the existing structure
Fig. 7

Front view of the white card model, showing the overall form and proportions of the existing structure

Enlarge the photo: Transforming a Location, photo 2
Fig. 8
Enlarge the photo: Project workspace, showing reference imagery, materials and equipment, with the brick wall sections taking shape alongside the white card model
Fig. 9

Project workspace, showing reference imagery, materials and equipment, with the brick wall sections taking shape alongside the white card model

Enlarge the photo: Starting the process of painting the brick wall sections, constructed and prepared as part of the model-making process
Fig. 10

Starting the process of painting the brick wall sections, constructed and prepared as part of the model-making process

Enlarge the photo: Transforming a Location, photo 3
Fig. 11
Enlarge the photo: Brick wall sections nearing completion, with the painted brickwork bringing greater detail and realism to the model
Fig. 12

Brick wall sections nearing completion, with the painted brickwork bringing greater detail and realism to the model

Enlarge the photo: Test fitting the wall sections onto the base, using a scale figure to assess proportions and ensure the environment was correctly sized
Fig. 13

Test fitting the wall sections onto the base, using a scale figure to assess proportions and ensure the environment was correctly sized

Enlarge the photo: Transforming a Location, photo 4
Fig. 14
Enlarge the photo: Final stages of construction. With the windows and doors nearing completion and the railway track and ballast in place, the model is almost ready for its final details
Fig. 15

Final stages of construction. With the windows and doors nearing completion and the railway track and ballast in place, the model is almost ready for its final details

Enlarge the photo: Transforming a Location, photo 5
Fig. 16
Enlarge the photo: Transforming a Location, photo 6
Fig. 17
Enlarge the photo: Transforming a Location, photo 7
Fig. 18
Enlarge the photo: Transforming a Location, photo 8
Fig. 19
Sheet 1 of 18
Project
Transforming a Location
Sheet
1 of 18

Before and after

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Before: Front view of the white card model, showing the overall form and proportions of the existing structureBefore
After: The finished modelAfter
Fig. 20

Finished

Enlarge the photo: Transforming a Location, photo 9
Fig. 21
Enlarge the photo: Transforming a Location, photo 10
Fig. 22
Enlarge the photo: Transforming a Location, photo 11
Fig. 23
Enlarge the photo: Transforming a Location, photo 12
Fig. 24
Enlarge the photo: Transforming a Location, photo 13
Fig. 25

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