Thoughts on Architecture & Model Building

Thoughts on Architecture & Model Building

Thomas A. Yorke

     This is my first column and I hope it will be informative both from an historical aspect to ideas that can be incorporated into your own modeling efforts. Each column will be on different subjects to inform and guide the modeler through some of my own ideas and techniques in the hope that some of these will be beneficial. Every modeler has their own set of techniques. One set may not be your cup of tea, but another might. A mix of ideas will form a good foundation to your own modeling skills. My mix is a combination from other well-known modelers and my own developed over many years of trial and error. So let’s go and discover new ideas and techniques together.

     I will cover many topics in these columns. Included will be articles on building, painting, weathering, auto and truck conversions, scenery ideas and many more. I will show that weathering isn’t done with just a paint brush. It needs to be built-in to the model as well as on the surface. I have spent the better part of my life researching and developing my skills and would like to share those with others.

     My background is in architecture and art/design. I studied architecture in college before changing to commercial art. I was an advertising art director before my long carrier with Disney. But I must admit, Disney was the best “school” I ever attended. My architectural background helped with my job as a sign and marquee designer. I have no degree in engineering, but I learned on the job. It was a great experience and one that will never be forgotten. During and after college I worked summers for Miami Model Builders where I developed my modeling skills.

     Ever since I joined the Walt Disney Company back in 1973 as an Imagineer, I became aware of the Mesker Bros. The Graphics department had a wonderful collection of photo books featuring turn of the century street scenes and storefronts. The trim on these structures was simply fantastic! I was at a loss as to how this was done. I researched on my own and found that the Mesker Bros. had made the storefronts from stamped galvanized iron. These additions to a stores design uplifted it into something more substantial looking. It was a relatively inexpensive way to elevate the exterior of the structure into something more decorative. Masonry as well as frame structures could be fitted with this material. They could make a frame structure appear as brick or stone at a fraction of the cost.

     The Mesker Bros. and George L. Mesker were competitors in this industry. They both manufactured galvanized metal panels and trim pieces which were nailed to wooden framework on the building façade. They also manufactured tin ceilings, iron railings, stairs, vents, iron awnings, skylights and freight elevators from the 1880’s until the mid-20^th century. After WW2, these storefronts grew out of favor with the public and designers who removed this trim and replaced it with modern elements. The removed material was largely discarded as junk. Today it is worth a fortune! Buildings are being restored in many cities and towns with new similar materials as well as original collected pieces. Many are painted in colors that show off the detail of this trim. A wonderful tribute to history.

     For those who would like to read more about the fascinating history of these brothers and their competing businesses I invite you to do your own further research on Google. Look up “Mesker Brothers”. You will also find that there were other competitors out there. A very interesting historical read. A Mesker Bros. site can also be found on Facebook. It’s got loads of reference photos and data as well as coloring ideas.

     My interest in these materials is still on-going today. I have decided to do a Mesker Building as my next kit design for Frenchman River Model Works. Pattern work has begun but will take many months to complete. The intricate details take time to fabricate. After the building is released as a kit, I will write a column on detailing it carefully going over all details of paint and weathering. My first building will be a reconditioned and repurposed one and will not be new looking. I love weathering! Many of the older original buildings have lost their paint and the metal panels are either rusted or the galvanized look is present. I will cover techniques on how to simulate this in the future. I have included a few photos of the pattern work for the model as it is so far. As the photos show the metal panels are not mounted perfectly. After time the wooden forms deteriorate and the metal nailed to these starts to sag and warp. No other manufacturer duplicates this feature. In fact, I don’t believe they even know about Mesker and how these materials were used. My miniatures take into account architectural design, materials and their proper sizes to replicate true masterpieces. I have spent more than 60 years researching and developing my skills and I take pride in this. My attitude is not “this is good enough”. I have done most of the hard work in details for these kits and after assembly all the modeler needs to do is paint and weather. “All” is the key word here. It takes time to paint and properly weather something to make it look real. Rust and brown weathering cannot be simply smeared on. They must be applied well and with feeling. The Internet is full of reference photos that are just waiting for you to discover. This research is so valuable to my own modeling. In future columns I will discuss painting, weathering and brushes that should be used. The lesson I want you to learn here is to take your time and practice. I wasn’t born with this knowledge. I had to learn it through research and trial and error. In fact, I am still learning and discovering new techniques more than 60 years later!

     In future columns I will discuss painting and weathering in detail. My hope is that these ideas will promote modeling to the next level. Modeling is a learned art. We must practice in order to achieve our goal. If you don’t try, you’ll never get there. Don’t give up. Practice and above all, read the instructions! They are there for a reason.

-Thomas A. Yorke