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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
Green Building Bible, fourth edition (both books)
These two books are the perfect starting place to help you get to grips with one of the most vitally important aspects of our society - our homes and living environment.

PLEASE NOTE: A download link for Volume 1 will be sent to you by email and Volume 2 will be sent to you by post as a book.

Buy individually or both books together. Delivery is free!


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    • CommentAuthorTriassic
    • CommentTimeDec 15th 2013
     
    So we have the initial plans back from the architect but my wife is struggling to get her head find them and can not visualise what the end product will look like. She suggests a scale model would help. Anyone made one, if so what did you use?
    • CommentAuthornigelm
    • CommentTimeDec 15th 2013
     
    I have used foam board (foam sandwiched between two layers of shiny card). Comes in various thicknesses.

    Another option would be a 3d computer model, google sketchup is free and easy to use. Sketchup for dummies is a good guide and worth reading. The model can be rendered to look realistic and you can also set the correct geo location and orientation and use the shadows tool to see how the sunlight hits the house at various times of day and year.
    •  
      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeDec 15th 2013
     
    Foamboard is good, along with some ply and moulded timber. Take a trip to your local DIY store and a model shop (be warned, they can be very strange) or an art shop.
    I use a gel superglue for bonding the foamboard, but it is worth making up some right angles (bit of aluminium trim), small clamps/bulldog clips are helpful as well.
    • CommentAuthorBeau
    • CommentTimeDec 15th 2013
     
    Yep

    Made a scale model of ours out of MDF and used some acrylic sheet for the floor to look through so could see ground floor. Still got in in the back shed as a momento :bigsmile:
    • CommentAuthorSprocket
    • CommentTimeDec 15th 2013
     
    I used Sketchup to model our site and renovations and try out the views from various locations.

    You can do cool things like toggle visibility of layers so you can simply click a box to hide the roof build up or to change instantly from one style of roof-truss to another or make some walls disappear to see internal detail.

    It worked well and is an excellent way to learn how to use it but progress (at decent quality) can be a bit frustratingly slow at first.

    You can't beat a real physical thing to look at though. And if you are more creative/artistic than me (which would not be hard) then you may get on better with this stuff:-

    http://www.craftfoam.co.uk/

    I have seen stunning results in it... just not made by me :-)
    • CommentAuthorEd Davies
    • CommentTimeDec 15th 2013
     
    I, too, am a SketchUp fan but not without some reservations. It has its own way of doing things which can be really confusing if you think it works like some other drawing programs. I haven't looked at the Dummies book but there are some very helpful online tutorials (videos) which are well worth watching. Also, here's a hint of my own on using it:

    http://edavies.me.uk/2012/12/sketchup-component-layers/
    • CommentAuthordaserra
    • CommentTimeDec 15th 2013
     
    Autocad if you don't mind a steep learning curve. I modelled my house in it over the last 15 years and it's invaluable when it comes to alterations etc.
  1.  
    Yes a 1:50 scale model made of foamboard, also came in useful at the planning site visit.
  2.  
    Couldn't this be done with a 3d printer rather than foamboard, now?

    Models on reasonably (ish) priced printers go to around 25x25x25 centimetres, and it could be nicely done room by room down the middle of the walls.

    Ferdinand
    • CommentAuthorSprocket
    • CommentTimeDec 16th 2013 edited
     
    I have a Reprap Mendel. That has a reasonable print volume.
    I think you would still have to do a room at a time as you suggest if you wanted a decent scale for a whole house.
    And the surface finish is probably not ideal… the layering is visible.
    And of course you still have to model it in software first

    Using cut foam would allow you to re-make a wall easily if you change window detail etc. Or to remove the roof to see inside walls etc. I like the idea… I'm just not very good at it.
  3.  
    I recently had a prototype product made with a 3D printer - it required detailed 3D Autocad drawing.........
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