Heydar Aliyev Centre Update + Finishing Touches

As we move into the final week of making the Heydar Aliyev Centre model has been completed.

The base board was sprayed an icy blue as planned in my design development blog, providing a nice contrast that works well against the white of the model. A slightly dry spray which was then sanded back really helped to visually tie together the piece and the slightly rough, natural finish of the SLS print. A tiny amount of lacquer added to the light colour helped to maintain that finish whilst reflecting as much light back on the structure and space as possible. This is particularly nice as it helps boosts the aesthetic of the model in natural daylight without the help of studio lighting or the lightbox.

The original plan had been to install the lightbox as a permanent feature. However, upon reflection it works nicely as a detachable component and photography experiment for exploring structure and space.

To help diffuse the light I had considered ordering some frosted acrylic, however this seemed like a great opportunity to experiment with a tool I hadn't used until now. Sandblasting provided a great opportunity to achieve a frosted effect whilst developing my skillset. Choosing this also gave me control over how much light could pass through the acrylic. Using peanut shells as the sandblasting material also ensured the sandblast effect was fine giving an extra level of control over the process and providing a smoother finish. Overall improving the aesthetic as some of the chunkier alternatives would have appeared rough and damaged.

To attach the blue acetate, I had considered using glue or double-sided tape, however even when applied in minimal amounts the light would have rendered them clearly visible. Magnets provided an excellent alternative as they are strong but easily removable so the acetate or acrylic can be replaced if damaged or the colour changed if appropriate. The added benefit of the magnets is that the chrome finish fit well and boosted the overall aesthetic of the model.