Archetype 3D

Simple Objective--Delivery Your Model in One Piece

Delivering your 3D scale model projects as promised is as important to us as the information we receive from clients to build it. Once webegin to discuss the details about your scale model’s plans and vision for its use, we start thinking about how it’s going to be packed, shipped and delivered.

Is it going to be fixed in place on a pedestal at its destination or is it going to be moved from place to place for temporary display? First and foremost in our mind is delivering the model to you the way it left us —in one piece. Believe it or not, some of the largest models are split into multiple sections that require some complex crating and packing for shipment. So delivering a model in one piece takes on a completely new meaning.

The painted sign on the custom built plywood shipping container for the model says, “Warning: Handle with Care.” Models are fragile and must be “handled with care.”  When it comes to crating them for shipping we put a tremendous amount of time in building a suitably sized crate with foam padding all around and adequate support to enable it to survive in transit.  Nothing is guaranteed so we always make sure models are insured when being shipped by freight carrier.

Two Types of Crates

We do not advise standing on your model's crate!

There are two types models and crates to ship them. The most common are the durable and functional plywood crates built for models of all types and that can be reused if shipping to trade shows at multiple locations. The second is a rolling “roadie” style crate like the ones used for musical instruments and for models that will be moved from one viewing location to another by the client to promote their project. These are a more elegant and easier for many clients to handle. Often these are used for smaller models that have to be brought into meetings and conference rooms. 

 Enclosures are Made of Plexiglass

Plexiglas display enclosures are different from the shipping crates models are shipped in.  Custom Plexiglas enclosures protect the model for a longer life. People are curious and love to get their hands on the models in places like museums, showrooms or training centers. Enclosures keep “itchy fingers” from breaking them and altering their design. Practically speaking, enclosures keep dust off the models, or spills from staining them.  Enclosures assure a longer life for a model--especially if you anticipate making changes to it in the future.

Case Study: Doyle Drive Model--Shipped in Four Roadie Crates 

Last year, Dave Thorp, Manager of Design Visualization at Parsons Brinkerhoff, had us build a model for the proposed and planned changes along Doyle Drive from the Palace of Fine Arts to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. It was a large model about four feet wide and twelve feet long with the designated purpose of being split into parts to be reviewed by different neighborhoods and stakeholders affected by the roadway changes. 

 

Thorp explains, “initially it was going to be a one piece model but once we discussed how the model was going to be used, we decided split it into four pieces. It made it easier to move segments from one site to the next. So we had it cut into four pieces along different stakeholder’s neighborhoods and locations. With it being a long model this was perfect for moving around whether in a van or someone's car.” The “roadie” style crate was built with deep foam padding to protect each segment while on the move. The model was delivered complete with video packing instructions on how to unpack and assemble it too. So far, so good, twelve months later and no problems.

Case Study: Special Packaging Instructions for Legal Model

Recently, Bryan N. DeMatteo, Associate Attorney at Dickstein Shapiro LLP in New York requested a model to defend a client’s patent infringement case.  Actually the project required two exact replicas of hospital nurses station pill picking systems to demonstrate the differences between his clients design compared to the claimants. The project was on a short time line to begin with but needed to be shipped overnight plus two models had to ship together. The utmost care was taken to assure the models would be delivered whole and on time to DeMatteo. This time instructions were built-into the crate in order that it could be unpacked and assembled quickly.  Ultimately, DeMatteo was able to assemble the model in court and win the case on his client’s behalf.  

Remember, the sign stamped on the outside suggested, “Handle with Care.” Crating our models for shipping is as important as building them.  Delivering your project in one piece as requested is our priority from the day you sign the contract with us to build your model.

Successful Scale Models for Large Civic Projects and Public Review

 Successful Scale Models for Large Civic Projects as a title alone, this is a mouthful but civic models are what we making these days. More often than not, the economy determines the kind of work and scale models we build. Many of the developers and engineers we normally count on to keep us busy are themselves scrambling for work. When a project does go forward though, scale models are still the most effective way to explain to the public what is needed. Going through a cone zone on the highway is not something I enjoy nor do most of the drivers I know. It is hard to imagine when you are stuck in traffic how wonderful things will be when the construction is done. Our models are being used to spark the imagination to how exquisite the highway will be once the construction is done.

 Case Study: Presidio – Doyle Street Drive Project

 Recently we completed a scale model of the Presidio--Doyle Drive project in San Francisco, California. The drive off the Golden Gate Bridge and through the Presidio is used by tourists, residents and commuters alike. The highway was built a long time ago without the benefit of a model illustrating traffic flow solutions. When looking toward the bay, the existing busy highway is a bit of an eyesore bisecting vital parks, and open space, plus cutting off thoroughfares to neighborhoods and business areas.

The Solution shown in a Scale Model

The solution is to lower parts of the highway through tunnels and redesign the interchanges using modern designs and engineering. As in many cases the best-laid plans aren’t so easy to understand conceptually and often times even harder to sell. Working closely with Parsons Brinkerhoff Engineering, the lead engineering firm directing the project, we came up with a 4’6” X 9’6” model design that takes a slight arc and is divided into 4 distinct sections. Each section demonstrates a different location along the planned drive and offers a clear engineering solution. Each section is enclosed in its own crate with casters so they can be wheeled around with ease and taken to separate meetings involving specific focus areas being considered for redevelopment.

This civic engineering scale model is being hauled all over San Francisco Bay Area for display to explain how the different phases of build-out are planned and to ease the public concerns over having been inconvenienced for as long as it takes to get the job done.

 

What makes the Client/Model Maker Relationship Special?

As much as the purpose of the Presidio model is clearly defined by the team of engineers, city planners, and public input, from a scale model builder’s perspective this was an interesting scale model to build. Along the way, we learned a bit about the history of the Presidio area and the politics at play affecting the project’s direction. One the coolest things for us was building the ramp leading up to and structure replicating the entrance to the Golden Gate bridge, and the elegant Palace of Fine Arts Buildings. We were able to solve problems associated with detaching and transporting the separate sections of this engineering scale model. On top of that, we had to figure out how to build hundreds of buildings and place the massive military cemetery.

Our passion is making models and solving problems for clients like Parsons Brinkerhoff, who were the lead engineering team for the Presidio—Doyle Drive project. It was challenging, and historically fascinating even though it wasn’t the biggest model we’ve ever created. Projects like these push model makers to engage with a project beyond just reading the plans and building the scale model to suit the client.  The special collaborative and cooperative juice between client and model maker often make the difference in a projects success like the Presidio—Doyle Drive.

Craig Martin

There is a bridge in need of replacement. This happens a lot when a bridge gets old or in this case, sick, with concrete that is slowly rotting away. But how to replace a bridge in Los Angeles that is old, sick and totally famous?

The 6^th street viaduct over the Los Angeles River has a reputation to keep since she has been featured in over 70 major motion pictures such as “Mask” and “S.W.A.T.”. Convincing a public to change a look that has an international distribution is not going to be easy.

Archetype 3D was asked to help by creating 3D models of five different designs to be shown in public meetings and discussions. After creating a base in three sections showing buildings roads and railroad tracks, we built multiple bridges to fit within the base pieces. This is a complex model with many parts and will be used for planning and public review. Here are a few images of the completed model with a few of the designs shown. If anyone in interested in seeing all of the options being proposed, send me a note and I will forward images on to you.