TERN 1/12th scale Yacht Model

February 23, 2015

Commissioned by a private client, this impressive yacht model was constructed at the same time the real TERN yacht underwent refurbishment to its original incarnation by Spanish restoration workshop, Ocean Refit. The projects, despite being drastically different scales, ran parallel to the point where design decisions and technical details were being exchanged in a collaborative process. Further input came from Chuck Demangeat, who assisted us in faithfully recreating the sails and rigging. These two projects - the refurbishment of a classic boat, and an accompanying scale model - are the products of pure passion. TERN itself has a prestigious history, being originally designed by nineteenth century designer William Fife, and constructed by John Hilditch in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. Nine of these Sea-Bird-Class boats were built, each named after a sea bird, and TERN was one of only three to survive the century. Between 1995 and 2000, the boat was modernised…

December 4, 2014

This interactive architectural model of Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant, made for Crystalfish Communications and Eco2, is presented as a puzzle. Participants are encouraged to activate the separate stages of the biomass energy generation process by a row of buttons on the front panel. Only activating the stages in the correct order will result in energy being generated and fed out to the grid. The interactive element of the model incorporates processors to digitally control the lighting and the whole electronic system was designed and wired together in-house. Some electronic issues we had to address included the securing and hiding of wires within the model - since some of the illuminated routes were suspended in the air on framed structures, we were limited in the objects we had to run wires through to effectively hide them. To create a painted base that was artworked appropriately for an architectural model,…

December 3, 2014

This model was built to demonstrate the Mojo Maritime HF4 as a flexible offshore platform, capable of being outfitted for a range of uses. The large A-frame was constructed to be articulate, and the model includes many fine details such as knuckle cranes, lifeboats, mooring points, propellers and other details to create a sense of scale. We embedded a steel plate beneath the deck level, giving the option of different magnetised components to be arranged on the surface, indicating different uses. The satisfyingly chunky hull was largely carved out on our CNC machine, before being assembled and hand-finished. The model was featured in Mojo Maritime's exhibit at SMM Hamburg 2014, the leading international maritime trade fair.

December 2, 2014

This interactive for Cardiff School of Biosciences was completely hand sculpted and artworked with realistic capillaries, veins and viscera. The internal organs of the otter, while simplified, are anatomically accurate and must be arranged inside the otter’s body in the correct order and orientation. The otter was made as part of Project Splatter, a nationwide research project to quantify the UK’s roadkill through social media channels such as Twitter and Facebook. Nicknamed ‘Colin,’ the anatomic interactive display was featured at Cardiff University’s exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London as part of the June 2014 Universities Week, which included research stations, pop-up performances and demonstrations covering a range of research-based themes. At Cardiff University’s exhibition, participants were encouraged to assist in performing an autopsy on Colin to identify his cause of death. Similar anatomic interactive displays and exhibition projects we have made include the artificial heart display model for the Glasgow Science Centre, which incorporates cast silicon…

December 1, 2014

Comissioned for a campaign by JWT for Crowne Plaza Hotels and Restorts, the Giant Apple was hand-carved, hardcoated and artworked to high levels of realism by our skilled in-house artists. The apple was constructed in our workshop as two halves. The bulk of the final assembly and artworking had to take place on-site in the hotel lobby, within a screened-off enclosure that allowed us to apply the various layers of spray finish needed to create a realistic, mottled apple skin. A scent machine was also installed on site to provide a complementary apple fragrance and complete the experience of standing in front of a gigantic apple.

December 1, 2014

Made for the Lake District National Park Authority, this 1:500 scale landscape model was constructed to generically resemble the Lake District, rather than a specific region. Certain familiar features of the area, such as the drystone walls and distinctive geology, have been incorporated into the landscape model. The fells were carved by hand from reference photographs, and an element of realism was achieved by hand-painting the rock faces and layers of coloured flock. The elevations on the buildings in the settlement were drawn up as graphics, printed onto vinyl and wrapped around the blocks; creating a high level of detail. These fine details were included to draw in the eye of the viewing public, and to better engage them with the various renewable and green technologies that can be integrated into the landscape. These include wind turbines, hydroelectric power, reed beds, solar PV units, anaerobic digestion plants and ground source heat pumps…

November 10, 2014

This elegant, striking model was featured by Dubois at the 2014 Monaco Yacht Show. Described as a 'beast', the progressive design of the Dubois yacht features dramatic lines and crisp shapes for speed and power, as well as relaxing accommodations below deck, including a gym and library. It will be constructed by Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman with a projected Spring 2017 completion date. Wanting to incorporate this same combination of strength and luxury in our model was a key factor in our choice of materials and processes. We used a combination of CNC techniques, hand skills and advanced paint finishing systems to create the model, being conscious of reflective surfaces and quality of line in our approach from the outset. We took great care in the distinctive surface finish on the hull, being a semi-metallic satin with rich layers of colour and lacquer for depth. The decking is represented with laser-engraved…

June 27, 2014

The Giant Radio for BBC Radio Cymru is covered in plenty of crisp details that bring it life, including a CNC'd speaker grill and turning front dial. After being rapidly assembled by our setbuilding team, the BBC Giant Radio was finished with handpainting trickery to create a wood grain effect. This model is a bold piece of setbuilding, and demonstrates that modelmaking is not necessarily always concerned with the very small; sometimes we are asked to make truly huge objects. Previous projects where size matters include the Laryngeal Mask, the range of 60's setpieces for Green Room Retail, and the Big Wallace. Projects on the larger end of the scale tend to be made as part of a media production or a marketing event, where something eye catching and spectacular can grab the attention of potential customers and clients. As well as fabrication, we offer a complete transportation and installation service for such…

April 11, 2014

This striking artwork is constructed from a CNC' cut baseboard, with each laser cut blade being hand-formed and bonded carefully into the surface. The reflective gloss black acrylic and repeating patterns cause both the shadows and reflected light to bounce around the model in a way that continuously shifts as the viewer moves around the artwork, to a striking effect. The artwork formed part of the "Thinking Big" exhibition at The Gallery, Cork Street, in London. The exhibition showcased a broad range of David's work, old and new, and included experimental sketch models, digital renders and maquettes as well as several original artworks such as this. Amalgam regularly work with several contemporary artists, providing a range of specialist making services to enable them to realise their designs. Bruce Munro for instance specialises in using light in his works.

April 5, 2014

We used a range of paint and finishing techniques to replicate the material finishes of this prototype saddle model for Charge Bikes. The saddle was hand-finished to create the sheen of unidirectional carbon fibre, and the 3D printed rails were textured and painted to imitate sintered titanium. Foil vinyl details and logos were used to represent the polished areas of the metal. The seat itself was upholstered by Charge suppliers. We have also worked with Charge on a packaging design project for their range of saddles. Many of us at Amalgam are passionate cyclists, and we are naturally excited when projects like this come our way. Replicating material finishes is not limited to props and film work. Many of our vacuum cast master models are given a fine speckled texture which replicates the surface finish created by spark-erosion on the surfaces of injection mould tools. This sparked finish…

TERN 1/12th scale Yacht Model

TERN 1/12th scale Yacht Model

1/400 Interactive Biomass Energy Architectural Model

Mojo Maritime HF4 Dynamic Positioning Vessel

Anatomic Interactive Model Otter

JWT Giant Apple

Lake District Landscape Model

Royal Huisman 58m Dubois Sloop

BBC Giant Radio / Radio Fawr

David Harber Turbine artwork

Fabric ALM Saddle