Model London
In the last six months, we saw so much of our lives being converted to the digital: lessons, quizzes, meetings, weddings. Even as our nearest and dearest became 2D floating heads on a screen, a love of ‘IRL’ didn't fully wane and people grappled with how else to fill their time once our eyes started to go a bit square. In fact, there was also what probably constitutes a counter-movement to all this digitalisation; jigsaw puzzles were sold out, plain flour, air drying clay, compost, all dashed off the shelves. Hands were becoming busy with the intricacies of crafting, growing, making, stitching, glueing. It was a chance to (re)discover how the strife of a fiddly stitch, the heartbreak of a sunken loaf, the unwavering patience of completing a puzzle’s edge, can all eased by a blossoming sense of accomplishment, no matter how wonky and droopy the end product might be.
Traditionally, every September we invite people to leave their homes, their street, their borough, to explore, learn and celebrate London architecture; this year we asked ourselves how people can have hands-on experiences with the city and architecture without leaving their homes? Could we package up architecture in a way that could keep hands and minds busy? So this year, for the first time Open House has commissioned models of well-known, and not so well-known, London buildings that are posted through your letterbox to be lovingly crafted from home.
This Open House cut, craft, glue and learn about some spectacular London buildings; take a pair of scissors to St Pauls, hold the Hoover Building in the palm of your hand, construct a neighbourhood of Glenkerry Houses, Surbiton Stations, Chrisp Street Clock Towers.
Open House’s Assistant Curator, Hafsa Adan, has been leading the Model London project and tells us a bit more about it.
Tell us how Model London came about?
The idea for the models was that it would be, first and foremost, a fun and virus-proof activity. On top of that, they show a great range of iconic London buildings with varying architectural styles to be enjoyed by people of all ages.
What’s the process of commissioning the models been like?
It’s been really exciting but there was a lot to do. Firstly, we had to shortlist which buildings would be included in the series starting with a process of elimination, depending on how difficult the net geometry would be for each model; surprisingly some of the buildings we thought would have quite a basic geometry were some of the hardest. Once we’d whittled down our shortlist, we commissioned designers to create the nets for the models. These designs were then finished off and brought to life with illustrations.
We commissioned a range of illustrators with varying and distinct styles. I think in doing so we got some really beautiful interpretations of different buildings, some which were quite true to life like HM Treasury and some which are much more indicative of each illustrator and their style.
The most satisfying part for me was getting all the illustrations back from the illustrators. Each one is so characterful and true to their styles. It was the moment that the project came together for me as something tangible and not just a list of buildings on a spreadsheet.
What architectural features translate into interesting models to make?
Spires always make a model look really cool and equally curvy buildings translate into interesting models if you can make them work! It’s something about seeing card and paper make those shapes that really animates the models.
The Open House festival is about giving people access to architecture to engage, learn and discuss. Do you think Model London adds to this mission?
Absolutely; I think it’s a great way to introduce architecture into the home in a playful way and a lovely activity for people who can’t physically take part in the festival this year for whatever reason to still enjoy and feel like they are part of Open House. Because we have such a wide range of models of varying complexities, they can be done by children and adults alike, but equally as a group activity, no matter the age range.
Each model comes with a factsheet that gives a history and description of the model so not only are we crafting away at the architectural intricacies of each building, but you get the chance to learn and understand the historical makeup and urban context of the building.
