Welcoming Andy Chichester: A Master Model Maker Joins Model Products Ltd

How Andy Chichester Became a Master of Architectural Model Making

Model Products Ltd is built on a foundation of experience, precision, and a genuine passion for creating exceptional scale models. That is why the team is delighted to welcome Andy Chichester, an accomplished model maker with around 40 years of hands-on experience, to the workshop.

Andy brings with him not only an impressive portfolio of landmark projects, but also a lifelong enthusiasm for making things – the kind of passion that perfectly complements Model Products’ blend of traditional craftsmanship and advanced technology.

A Lifelong Passion for Making

Andy Chichester’s  story as a model maker began long before his professional career. From a young age, he was drawn to Lego, Meccano, plasticine and anything that could be built, shaped or assembled by hand. Making things was never just a pastime; it was a natural way of understanding the world.

Growing up in a practical household also had a strong influence. Andy’s father built Spitfire planes, so from an early age he was surrounded by tools, materials and a mindset that valued careful making and problem-solving. This early exposure helped to form the practical, hands-on approach that still defines his work today.

Keen to turn his interest into a profession, Andy went on to study a two-year model making course at college in St Albans. This formal training gave him a solid grounding in traditional techniques and materials, and cemented his decision to build a career in professional model making.

From Product Models to Architectural Landmarks

Andy’s first role in the industry was with a model making company in London, producing high-quality product models for major brands. His early work included building replicas for companies such as Jaguar and Tetley, creating detailed physical models for advertising, photography and promotional campaigns.

These projects demanded accuracy, consistency and a strong eye for detail – qualities that have shaped Andy’s approach ever since. Working to represent well-known brands taught him the importance of realism, finish and presentation, all of which are crucial when a model becomes the focal point of a campaign or exhibition.

Following this, Andy moved into architectural model making, a specialism he has remained committed to for nearly four decades. Over approximately 39 years in the architectural sector, he has contributed to a remarkable range of projects, from local developments to internationally recognised landmarks.

A Portfolio of Iconic Projects

Andy Chichester’s experience spans some of the most recognisable buildings in London and beyond. His work has supported projects at every stage, from concept and planning through to presentation and public consultation.

Over the years, he has been involved in models for:

• Canary Wharf, including various towers across the estate
• St George’s Tower and other prominent high-rise schemes
• 22 Bishopsgate
• The Heron Building opposite Liverpool Street
• Opus Tower
• Bankside Yards
• 40 Leadenhall Street (often referred to as the “Gotham Building”)
• N2 Building
• 25 Baker Street
• The new Wembley Stadium

Alongside these UK-based projects, Andy has also worked on models of schemes in Dubai, the USA and other international locations, demonstrating his ability to adapt to different architectural languages, design standards and client expectations.

This depth of experience across so many high-profile projects is a clear reflection of his technical skill, reliability and calm approach under pressure – all invaluable qualities in a busy model making environment.

From Cottage Industry to Cutting-Edge Technology

When Andy first started in the 1980s, professional model making still had the feel of a cottage industry. Much of the work was carried out at individual benches, using traditional hand tools and analogue methods. Every piece was cut, shaped and finished by hand, with craftsmanship at the centre of the process.

Over the decades, however, the industry has been transformed. Today, digital design, laser cutting, CNC machining and 3D printing sit alongside hand finishing and traditional fabrication techniques. For Andy, this evolution has been both exciting and essential.

Having learnt the “old school” way, he has a deep respect for manual skill, patience and material understanding. At the same time, he fully embraces new technologies as powerful tools that allow model makers to achieve even finer levels of accuracy, complexity and consistency.

Rather than seeing tradition and technology as opposites, Andy views them as complementary parts of a holistic model making process. This attitude aligns perfectly with Model Products’ own approach: combining state-of-the-art equipment with time-honoured craftsmanship to create models that are both visually impressive and technically precise.

The Craft, the Challenge and the Reward

For Andy, model making is more than a job – it is, in his own words, positively addictive. The satisfaction comes from turning drawings, data and design intent into something tangible, useful and aesthetically pleasing, that plays a genuine role in real-world decision-making.

He particularly values the way scale models:

• Help to communicate complex ideas clearly
• Support planning and design discussions
• Contribute to projects that ultimately shape communities, cities and countries

Working to deadlines and fitting into wider project programmes is also part of the appeal. Andy enjoys being one link in a larger chain, where the model is an essential tool within a broader process that may ultimately lead to permanent, sometimes iconic, built outcomes.

This sense of purpose – that each model is not simply an object, but a vital part of a much bigger story – is one of the key reasons he has remained devoted to the profession for so many years.

A Team Player with Decades of Experience

Over the course of his career, Andy has worked across multiple companies and team environments, including a 20-year period with one firm, where he contributed to numerous major schemes and long-term client relationships.

He is known for:

• Meticulous care and precision in every aspect of his work
• A commitment to consistency and quality, from initial preparation to final finishing
• A collaborative approach, always willing to support colleagues and share knowledge
• An understanding of how to keep a workshop running efficiently and productively

At Model Products Ltd, where collaboration is central to delivering complex multi-sector projects, Andy’s experience as both a maker and a team member is a natural fit. His background strengthens the company’s capability across architectural, commercial, defence, transport and exhibition models, and adds further depth to the skills already within the team.

Looking Ahead at Model Products Ltd

With Andy Chichester joining the workshop, Model Products Ltd gains not only a highly skilled scale model maker, but also a practitioner who has witnessed – and embraced – the full evolution of the industry over the last four decades.

His combination of:

• Traditional, hands-on craftsmanship
• Extensive architectural experience on landmark projects
• Openness to modern technology and processes
• And a genuine passion for the craft of model making

Makes him an exciting addition to the team and a valuable asset to clients.

As Model Products Ltd continues to deliver bespoke scale models for sectors including defence, aerospace, architecture, transport, marketing and research, Andy’s expertise will play an important role in shaping future projects.

Keep an eye on forthcoming case studies and project stories to see some of the models Andy helps bring to life as part of the Model Products team.