Tactile model of a historic building
A 1:150 tactile model of a historic church and its cloister, designed to be explored by hand, with distinct textures and a braille key.
- Sector
- Museums
- Scale
- 1:150
- Size
- 60 × 45 cm base
- Client
- Heritage visitor centre
- Location
- Spain
- Lead time
- 6 weeks
The brief. A heritage visitor centre wanted blind and partially sighted visitors to understand a historic building, a church with its cloister, without relying on a guided tour. The model would be on open display every day, so it had to stand up to constant handling and cleaning.
How we built it. We started from the measured survey drawings and photographs of the building. During 3D modelling we simplified the ornament to what fingertips can read and slightly exaggerated the features that matter: buttresses, openings, cornices and the cloister arcade. The main volumes were CNC-milled, and the capitals and finials 3D printed in resin. Every surface has its own texture: coursed stonework on the walls, laser-engraved tiles on the roofs and cork for the cloister garden. Colours are high contrast for visitors with some residual sight, and every edge is rounded.
The result. A tactile model that can be explored with both hands from one side of the plinth, with no loose parts or fragile projections. The acrylic key, in raised braille and large print, names each part of the building, and the lacquered finish copes with daily cleaning.
More gallery pieces and tactile versions on our museum models page.