Crafting a Masterplan for Santa Monica Highschool
SwapScape:
We had the privilege of collaborating with the architecture firm Johnson Favaro on the creation of a masterplan model for the redevelopment of Santa Monica High School. This intricate model served as a key presentation tool for the city, showcasing the design concept in a highly interactive and visually engaging way.
The model featured 11 removable topographical components, allowing for dynamic, hands-on exploration of the site’s landscape and design. These components provided a detailed, flexible representation of the terrain, allowing the design team to demonstrate different aspects of the plan and facilitate storytelling during the presentation. The model became an essential tool for illustrating the firm’s vision and understand the complex changes proposed for the site.
Constructed with high-density urethane (HDU) and Plexiglas, the model combined durability with lightness. The surfaces were carefully painted to differentiate various elements of the site, including hardscapes, roadways, and landscaped areas. This attention to detail helped to clearly communicate the functional and aesthetic distinctions within the design, ensuring that the city's decision-makers could visualize how the space would evolve and be used.
Materials used: High density urethane (HDU) and plexi.
Finish:
Various colors of paint + Sealer
Process to Product
We started by building the base, ensuring it accommodated the 11 topographical modules and their varying levels. Once complete, we moved on to milling each piece for a precise fit.
Once all 11 topographical pieces were cut, we began sanding each one and patching any imperfections to ensure a smooth finish before painting.
As we began painting the pieces, the project started to take shape. The colors helped distinguish the hardscapes, roads, and landscape, bringing the model to life and giving us a clearer view of the final presentation.
