Selsey Pavilion
Print of a photo of the original building on the left (© Selsey Pavilion Trust) and my first model on the right.
I didn’t just create one or two, but three models of this historic theater located in Selsey, a charming town nestled at the southernmost tip of Sussex in the UK.
Model 1: Background facade (scale 1:87)
The initial model was a shallow, background structure crafted in h0 scale, designed to function as a cinéma for my French-themed Etgaine module.
Measuring just 9 cm (3.5") in depth, the model emphasizes the façade, with intricate details. It was primarily built using Forex (PVC foam board) and enhanced with 3D-printed elements, including windows, a door portal, decorative columns, and poster frames.
The inspiration behind modeling this building came from an episode of *The Repair Shop* on BBC, which aired in October 2024.
In this episode (nr 13 of series 13) Christian Skelton, Chair of the Selsey Pavilion Trust, brought a faulty 200 kg vintage cinema projector to the workshop for repairs. With expert craftsmanship, Mark Stuckey restored the projector, making it fully functional once more to be used in the Selsey Pavilion following the building's restoration.
At the time, I was researching cinemas for my French module "Etgaine," and was captivated by the images of the Selsey Pavilion featured in the episode. Enchanted by its character and charm, I decided to model this historic building for my cinema project.
UK visitors can watch this episode of *The Repair Shop* on the BBC iPlayer.
Additionally, Christian shares his story of the projector and its restoration in this blog post on the Selsey Pavilion Trust website.
After completing the model, I shared a photo with the team working on the building restoration in Selsey. That very same day, I received an enthusiastic reply from Chair Christian Skelton, who also requested whether I would create a model for them as well. After some discussion, we decided that the second model would be twice the size (that is 0-scale), so it could serve as a donation box for the restoration project.
Model 2: Donation box (scale 1:45)
To deter potential theft, the donation box was primarily constructed from sturdy plywood. However, the decorative elements on its facade were once again 3D printed.
As a special surprise for donors, an extra feature has been added to the box. When someone inserts money into the slot located above the central round window, a fragment from the song "Thank You Very Much" from the musical *Scrooge* plays as a token of appreciation.
Photo of the donation box made for the Selsey Pavilion Trust
The right-hand side of the detailed model of the Selsey Pavilion. The two bicycles at the front were inspired by a poster of the pavilion, created for the Trust by artist Dave Thompson.
Model 3: Fullscale model (1:87)
During conversations by email with Christian about the donation box, I got the sense that the Trust was also interested in having a detailed model of the entire building. So I decided to create a third model, once again in h0 scale.
This project proved to be quite a challenge, as I had never visited the actual building. Most online photos focus primarily on the Highstreet sides. Fortunately, Christian provided me with digital copies of the original building plans, along with a recent survey of the property. That said, many details of the building remained unclear. When necessary, I relied on my expertise as a building process manager to make informed decisions and educated guesses. Still the model will not be without its flaws.
Photo above: The northern side of the building showcases the most intricate detailing, second only to the facade. The southern side is largely hidden behind neighboring properties.
Photo on the right: To enhance its appeal, the model features a minimalist interior that showcases the different rooms within the building.
