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Chloë Curtin

BA [Hons] 3D Design Modelmaking + Digital Art

In recent years I have found a love for miniature modelmaking and creating artwork using paper as the primary medium. The extensive possibilities and intricacies achievable using a sheet of paper are seemingly endless to me and I hope to pursue a career in which my passion for paper craft, architectural modelmaking, laser cutting and AutoCAD can be organically combined. My final project has been largely influenced by Fennellys of Callan, a cultural coffeehouse based in a creative community in Co. Kilkenny. The community there has opened my mind to the endless possibilities the creative sector has to offer.

My Final Project is an installation piece that focuses on the importance of the stories buildings contain. The building being depicted is Fennelly’s of Callan, a cultural coffeehouse and event space in Co. Kilkenny. This building is over 800 years old has a vast and colourful history, having served many owners with different purposes for the property.

The interactive turntable housed within the model depicts three different time periods from Fennelly's past and is rotated using a hand-crank and 3D printed mechanism.

The model of Fennelly's sits at the epicentre of the dome surrounded by the roadways of Callan. These roadways have had the narrative of the building hand-cut into them, by following the colours of each pathway the story is revealed.

Here you can see a close-up of the different time periods rotating. 1942 - An Egg Store and Dairy Parlour. 1982 - The Local Pub and Under-Takers. 2022 - Fennelly's in its present state, a Cultural Coffeehouse

When creating models, my preference is to work with paper and so the entirety of the building model and turntable scenes have been constructed from paper and greyboard.

By peering through the front window, over the stain glass snug divider, you can see all the way to the back of the building due to its aligned doorways for fluid movement. Can you spot the cakes on the countertop too!?

For reference, this model has been created in a 1:42 scale using methods of hand-cutting and laser-cutting.

Hope you enjoy the tiny furniture as much as I do! Thanks for your attention :)

Fennelly's of Callan

My Final Project is an architecturally based 1:42 scale model that focuses on the importance of the stories that buildings contain. The building being portrayed is Fennelly’s of Callan, a cultural coffeehouse in Callan, Co. Kilkenny. This building has a vast and colourful history and has served many owners and purposes. The model has been made to preserve this history and the stories that can disappear as generations pass through a building. I believe it is important to protect the history and legacy of our ancient Irish buildings. The model is designed to be used as an interactive point of historical information for visitors to the coffeehouse. It represents the origin story of Fennelly’s and what it has developed into today through the use of a moving turntable depicting three different time periods from the building’s past and hand-cut stories that can be followed along the roadways of Callan.

Thesis - Irish Architectural Models PDF

Thesis Title: Irish Architectural Models - Representation, Communication and Fascination

My thesis examines the role of architectural models within the architectural sector and beyond, while also exploring the relationship between architectural models and people. Each chapter focuses on a different architectural model which has been fabricated by an Irish architectural firm, modelmaker or artist. This includes models of the Beaufort Maritime and Energy Research Laboratory UCC created by McCullough Mulvin Architects, the DLR Lexicon created by Carr, Cotter & Naessens Architects and ‘Babel’ created by Aidan Lynam. The chapters highlight the significance of architectural models by categorizing them into their unique methods of representation, communication and fascination. In our society which is growing evermore visual, it is important to highlight both the impact and effectiveness that visual aids have within a professional and public context. My aim is to bring attention to the past neglect of the study of architectural models and emphasise the positive impact that architectural models, and more specifically, Irish architectural models, have within the architectural sector and beyond as a critical resource tool, a form of public presentation and a true work of art.

Thesis - Irish Architectural Models PDF