Folding Models
A long held interest, since experimenting with pop-up book mechanisms, is with models that fold.
What is known as the ‘floating box’ mechanism, arranged along the gutter crease of a folded card, adapts well to buildings. Complex layers of detail can be added on the axis parallel to the fold, but the sides, which extend outwards as the model is folded, must be limited to a single layer.
The simplest form can be the ridged roof house, which can also include additional elements as in this design........
card size : 30 x 21 cm
A building with an open courtyard adapts well to this mechanism. Separate pierced layers can represent complex galleries on two sides of the courtyard. Note that as in this example ‘The Desert Fort’, the side walls can’t be made to pull in completely flat. The model is therefore deliberately designed to represent a six sided building.
card size : 30 x 21cm
It was the inspiration of seeing so many ship models at the Bremerhaven Convention which I attended in April 2000, which led me to think of using this folding principle for a boat. This simple design, based on a Cornish fishing boat, was the result.........
....which was followed by this rather more advanced galleon, which is offered as a free download from this site.
And just to prove the point, these are all models which fold flat !
I have in recent years been delighted to have the privilege of communicating with Clark Britton, from Kansas, USA, who has a similar interest. Clark is a retired Professor of Graphic Design from Wichita State University. For many years he has been working on the design of architectural models which fold flat.
These are some of Clark’s designs......
The model is laser cut on card. There are just ten components, to be pushed out and slotted together. This is a simple design which manages to create much visual complexity.
model size : 9cm square
Clark had long ago realised the limitations of pop-up models on a transverse fold, particularly in that the side walls can’t be completely drawn in. His answer was to move to pop-up structures on diagonal folds. When that failed to satisfy his creative desire, he turned to solid forms which fold flat. A long period of development followed, gradually perfecting various folding mechanisms. The following example incorporates some of these ingenious design solutions, most notably in the roof structures.
This is a beautiful Basilica which Clark sent me. With his permission, I have reproduced the model on a slightly larger scale, so I can better understand the mechanisms myself.
Base size : 10 x 9 cm
Clark’s current prototype and my slightly larger version....... my eyes aren’t good enough to work at those tiny scales !
Shakespeare’s Complete Works prove that it really does fold flat !
This is an apposite extract from one of Clark Britton’s mails to me
“One of the reasons I have contacted you is to share what I have learned. I would hope that others using these ideas could expand on them. As I have looked over my years of work, I find that I have tried and failed frequently, in the end some of the solutions seem very obvious to me now, but at the time they were obscure. Finally I have come upon a few things that I use in combination to create more elaborate buildings”
And here’s a few more of his designs...........
Clark’s efforts have culminated recently in his’Medieval House and Barn’. This is a beautiful folding model, incorporating an ingenious locking mechanism. Clark has developed a system of folding boxes, attached internally to the roof parts. When pushed in, the boxes lock the roof and hold the structure square.
My own earlier attempt at a folding model building along these lines was the ‘Elizabethan House’, which for a while was available as a free download from this site. I used a tab and slot locking mechanism which proved less than satisfactory and was quickly surpassed by Clark’s designs.
Using and adapting Clark’s roof locking system, I have now published this ‘Medieval Barn’ model, available as a free down load on a single A4 page from this site. See the Medieval Barn page.
If there’s anyone else in the world who shares this curious passion of ours, let’s hear from you
Clark Britton cbritjr@swbell.net
Roger Pattenden roger@heritage-models.co.uk