My NYC Foam Board Models

[Excelsior07]

Any more pics to share? Keep them coming. You have inspired me by the way - going to try my hand at building something

[Jrobinson84]

I've got a ton of new pics that ill be uploading tomorrow morning. I'm just about done with 4 Times Square, I'm just waiting on some new LEDs to be delivered because I have to install them before completing the model.

I'm looking forward to see what you come up with. Hopefully more people will start thinking about using different materials. I've limited myself to only NYC buildings, but Id love to see someone create a foam board Burj Khalifa or something like that.

[Jrobinson84]

Ok, so next I prepared the metallic strips that cross the glass facade of the building. I measured out a total of 20 strips and began to carefully cut them out and paint them metallic silver.


Then I glue them onto every other score line I made on the "glass" facade


Once the horizontal lines are in place, I move on to the vertical centered lines


I use a black sharpie to add some surface details


Once that's all done, I cut out the entire facade, score the creases, and carefully fold it into the square shape I need.

[Jrobinson84]

Next, I create a roof slab to help support the main structure before I glue on the glass facade. I've left a large enough hole in anticipation of the lighting wires and such.


This photo shows the facade already in place, and the start of the first setback frame.


I wasn't sure what type of "glass" to use on this setback, as it has a different hue and look from the main structure. So I opted to use clear acetate. It'll be completely transparent, exposing the main facade underneath, which in combination with the horizontal and vertical spandrels, will hopefully create an interesting detail when viewed from afar.


I then glue the horizontal spandrels directly on top of the acetate.


Here is the finished section, with the vertical spandrels in place, minus a few ornamental details which will come later.

[Jrobinson84]

Here is the second completed section of the stone setback


Next, I prep the first glass setback on the north and west faces


Here they are with the glass on, and the surface scoring


Here I completely effed up the design of the glass details. They are absolutely wrong. But seeing as I was running out of the blue chrome vinyl wrap, I decided to just leave it as is. I would've had to order more wrap, which would have delayed the project for at least a week.


Here is the finished (effed up) glass setback ready for gluing

[Jrobinson84]

Here I'm prepping the next set of glass setbacks


Here I've glued them onto the first set of glass setbacks, and have begun gluing metallic silver horizontal strips to the lower sections


Once that's finished, I begin the frame for the Times Square side of the base


Here you can see the two multi-color flashing LEDs that will flash from behind the tinted glass of the base. They're the same type I used on my One Times Square model.


Here you can see the two LEDs wired together where they will ultimately connect with the rooftop LEDs and the outside plug

[Jrobinson84]

Here we've got the tinted base glass installed. Basically, it was just a bit of clear acetate with actual black window tint on top


Here's an overview of the building thus far


Some more base work, metallic strips going across


Here is some more completed work on the north side of the building


Next is the main entrance on 42nd Street. Note that I penciled in the FOUR TIME SQUARE sign all wrong :/

[Jrobinson84]

Here is the 42nd Street entrance installed


Here are the billboard templates for the Times Square base. The giant cylindrical billboard is not very cylindrical unfortunately


Here is the curved silver rooftop ready for installation


...and here it is installed


Next come the glass foundations for the giant billboards

[Jrobinson84]

Here we have the black billboard holders installed, angled towards the street


Next is the "scaffolding", connecting each billboard holder, and the big box on top


Here I've begun antenna construction using a thin length of foam board, a small red LED to act as the FAA guide light, and a small nail acting as the lightning rod


I glue the LED and its wires to the back of the antenna board, which will be covered by the various sections of equipment


Here is the finished antenna. It looks a little silly in the photo, but once installed on the building it should look right


That's it for now, until I get those rooftop LEDs delivered. Im about to go check the mail for them now. As you can see, the details are no where near 100% accurate, but its still a fun way to kill a few hours.

[Coddington]

That

Is

AWESOME!

[Jrobinson84]

SUCCESS! The LEDs I needed came in today, so I should be able to wrap this up tonight.

[Jrobinson84]

Here is the finished 4 Times Square:












Here are some fuzzy close ups of the base with billboards. The lights inside aren't as noticeable as I had hoped, being overpowered by the One Times Square bulbs, but it does add to the frenetic flashing aura of Times Square






I found some slow color changing LEDs on ebay that perfectly mimic the real life antenna lighting. The light slowly cycles through an entire rainbow of shades and colors. Here are just a few:








This was definitely an interesting project, given the odd nature of the building. I hope my tutorial made some kind of sense.

I realize my placement in the skyline is on the wrong side of One Times Square, but that's only because I wanted the main facade of the building to face the living room, and if I had simply turned it around and kept it on the correct side, the billboards would face away from Times Square. So I made the executive decision to switch sides.

[MrKen]

Sweet.

[Coddington]

Great work, again.

[Val5413]

Well done! LEDs it's excellent idea
I think I will do something like this

[CNTower246810]

Very nice job with the Conde Nast Tower, the step by step instructions show just how much work you put into making these, Good Job! I love the LED light up for the antenna.

[Jrobinson84]

Thank you all very much.

After taking the past week off, I've decided that 70 Pine Street (aka AIG Building) will be my next project. The downtown area in my skyline looks a little lonely compared to midtown.

[Jrobinson84]

Scratch what I just said...70 Pine will have to wait for the proper materials. In the meantime, I will start on the amazing Woolworth Building.

[tim1807]

Great work you do, very accurate models.

[Jrobinson84]

Thanks very much

Here are some quick shots of the humble skeleton frame of my Woolworth Building