Resources - Plotting the Past, Planning the Future

Plotting the Past, Planning the Future - Making the Model

Construction - Like most landscape models, Worcester 1250 model is built on a robust timber framework base. The first feature to be modelled was the ground surface and river. Working from altitudes (spot heights) taken from the earliest Ordnance Survey plans of the 1880s, and from archaeological information, wooden formers were cut to the correct profiles and thin plywood veneer sheet pinned over them to accurately reproduce the shape of the site.

The skeleton

In doing this, vertical dimensions were exaggerated by a figure of 50% so that the subtleties of the surface topography become visible. Major earthworks such as the city and castle ditches and the castle mound were completed at this stage, their profiles taken mostly from archaeological investigations over the last thirty years. Detailed modelling of their slopes and minor features like quarry pits were finished using a proprietary filler. After this, the ground surface, the river, and the streets were painted and made ready for the buildings.

Sculpting the ground
surface


A stone first-floor hall.	Shops with solars (private rooms) over.	A row of cottages.

More than eight hundred houses and other buildings were needed to fill the city streets. Master models of the different house types were produced by hand, and from these, moulds were taken of individual buildings and small groups. Multiple castings were made by injecting resin into the moulds in a vacuum chamber; the cast models were then painted. The houses were given a minimal level of detailing, sufficient to understand their character when seen close up and to give the correct 'texture' to the built-up area at normal viewing distance.

Many major buildings had to be individually hand-built. These included the cathedral church and other buildings in the precinct, the guildhall, the bishop's palace, the Franciscan Friary, the Commandery, and all the parish churches and chapels. Each was built using card, plastic card, perspex, and other materials.

St Andrew's under cosntruction

As the buildings were added to the streets and back yards, vegetation was added too: trees, large and small, and hedges. The last stage was the addition of people (there are over 1000 on the model, almost half of the population at the time) and livestock, grazing in suitable locations. The final touches were essential details like cranes on the waterfronts and boats on the river (all hand-built) to bring the Severn to life. The finished model was then transported by lorry from Somerset up to Worcester - 10 days before the openning of the exhibition on May 6th 2000. The model took over 800 hours to build and is a tribute to the art and skill of the model maker. As more research is undertaken, and more archaeological discoveries are made, the model will be altered and developed,,,so watch this space if you're interested in the project and can't get to see the model.
	The model before the addition of trees, hedges and people.

	The model arrives at the Commandery, 27th April 2000

Panel 1 - Panel 2

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© Worcester City Museums 2001

Introduction

Aerial Views of Worcester

The Worcester 1250 Model

Making the Model

Life in 13th Century Worcester

The Life of a Plot

Inheriting the Landscape

Related Topics

Potted Histories - Medieval Worcester

Worcester Maps & Plans

Things To Do

Worcester City History Awards for Schools