Queensland Architecture in Miniature 2022

~~HERO-SUBTITLE Laser-cut dollhouses, booknooks, and other delights! ~~

Prototype developed by Billie Reuben 2021, workshop developed by Michelle Brown and Rozina Suliman October 2022

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their continuing connection to land and as custodians of stories for millennia. We respectfully acknowledge the land on which we all meet today, and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.

Summary

Fretwork, breezeblocks, casement windows, VJ walls and hardwood floors; there’s a lot to love about Queensland architecture.

Join us as we dive into State Library of Queensland’s collections and bring to life the rich histories of the houses around us through digital fabrication techniques such as laser cutting and engraving.

Supported by skilled facilitators you will create a miniature piece of QLD architecture (e.g. part of a doll’s house, a book nook, a mini facade or diorama).

This journey will see you:

getting inspired by Queensland architecture through the enormous wealth of the collections here at State Library of Queensland.

learning to create vector files suitable for the laser cutter in free and open-source software (Inkscape).

laser cutting your files

assembling some of your creation

completing a laser cutter induction, so you can come back and make more! (Completing a General Induction will be required before you can book the machine)

Session Overview

Materials

Cutting Materials (per participant)

An A2 sheet 4mm plywood (outer Nook)

An A4 sheet 0.5mm thick craft card (optional)

An A4 sheet 1.5 to 2mm ply or boxboard (building up rails, doors and for breezeways)

An A5 sheet 0.7mm PETG film or 1.5mm acrylic (windows and door panes)

Tacky craft glue / UHU glue

Gouache

Watercolours

Acrylic paint colours

Acrylic medium (gloss and matte)

Sharpies or other coloured pens (for stained-glass painting)

Tools

Small brushes

Palettes (painting)

Bags for sorting pieces

Pipettes (glue/paint)

Skewers (gluing/painting)

Tweezers

Masking tape

Exacto knives

Computers running Inkscape

USB sticks

Laser Cutter

Inkscape design software

Health & Safety

Running this workshop at The Edge?.. You should familiarise yourself and your participants with:

DML Risk Assessment

Innovation Lab Risk Assessment

Laser SOP

Knife SOP

Session 1

Acknowledgement of Country

Welcome

Check everyone in and set up on a computer

Why did you sign up? what are you hoping to get out of this series?

Overview of series & presentation

Getting inspired by Queensland architecture through the enormous wealth of the collections here at State Library of Queensland

Designing a small model/book nook at 1/23 scale using a combination of pre-drawn and cut pieces and elements of your own

Elements participants will focus on for their own designs are a heritage archway, back window casement, the stained glass window above the front door and swinging door casements and the fretwork breezeway above the side door

Learning to create a couple of vector files suitable for the laser cutter in free and open-source software (Inkscape)

Completing a laser cutter induction, so you can come back and make more!

Laser cutting your files

Painting your creation

Assembling your creation

External finishing your creation

This is a 4-part workshop, you must be able to come to all the dates as each session builds upon the work of the previous.

End goals of Session 1

An idea for the final design of your book nook

A basic understanding of using Inkscape to edit our template files and design our own items

Started on the design for your individual design pieces

Research and Design

What defines a Queenslander?

'The quintessential Queenslander is a single detached house made of timber with a corrugated iron roof located on a separate block of land.[1] They are all high-set, single-storey dwellings with a characteristic veranda that extends around the house to varying extents but never entirely surrounds it. In later years, many have been renovated to enclose part or all of these verandas to create extra bedrooms. The under-house area is often also enclosed to provide extra living area to these houses, which leads to the common misconception that an authentic Queenslander has two storeys.'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queenslander_(architecture)

State Library key resources

QLD architecture terminology

Let's get familiar with some of the terms used to describe internal architecture, with some specific references to Queenslander style.

Fretwork

Picture Rails

Dado/Belt Rails

Wainscoting

Ironwork

Breezeways

Hall arches

Architraves

Cornices

Skirting boards

Checkout some of these links for more info and inspo;

House Histories - https://www.househistories.org/

Catalogues of Queenslanders 1920-1930 - https://www.househistories.org/queensland-house-designs-1920-1930

Federation Homes website - https://federationhome.com/2018/03/12/queenslander-tropical-styles/

Renovating Queenslander blog - http://renovatingaqueenslander.blogspot.com/2014/07/mouldings-picture-rails-skirting.html?m=1

Scale

Miniature scale varies, as there are several standard sizes and you can buy items to suit the different sizing.

Standardized sizes for modern dollhouses​ include 1:6, 1:12, 1:16, 1:24, and 1:48, while antique houses are often a custom size.

Here's a collection of images and links to help determine scale.

The Spruce Crafts website image guide by Lisa Fasol.

Image from - https://everythingverysmall.com/dollhouse-miniatures-1-12-scale-or-1-24-scale-or-others-some-insights/

Most Book Nooks are 1:18 to 1:24 scale.

Designing our Nooks

Base Design

We've got a base design for you, which includes a few key design elements like engraved paneling and rails. We'll be cutting these before the next workshop session to provide to you then.

Nook base template

You can choose to edit the base before we cut them if you feel your skills are up to it without too much support required, you will need to provide the file at least one week before the next session.

Making the base design

We used a box generator to get the design, there's a few online free options, and we'll give you a quick demo on how you can use them.

Box generator - https://www.festi.info/boxes.py/

The dimension of our Nooks is listed further below.

Design Elements

During this workshop series, the end goal for participants is to choose their own designs for the following parts of our Nook;

Hall archway

Breezeway

Door paneling

Stained glass window

Window casements

Apart from the archway, the pieces of our Queensland Miniature will be using different material to our 4mm ply base nook.

We have thinner ply options and thick card, we'll talk you through the differences, but mainly it's your own design choice!

Design process

When you starting a design project, it's always great to start compiling references and narrowing down your ideas (or maybe not!).

It's great to use a Moodboard when we work collaboratively or solo on projects.

Our Pinterest

Be aware of copyright and IP if you want to trace a design, which you can read more about here.

State Library reference

Pages 116 onwards of 99 everyday homes: https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/research-collections/queensland/built-heritage

Other references

https://www.househistories.org/campbell--sons-catalogue-of-woodwork

https://www.auburnwoodturning.com.au/standard-heritage/interior-fretwork

https://www.sydneywoodworkers.com.au/restoration-products/lasercut-restoration-products/

https://www.restorationstation.com.au/woodwork/breezeways

Making our files

Inkscape

Why

Free and open

Extremely powerful

You can also use Adobe Illustrator or Fusion 360 or any similar design program, as long as the file is able to be saved to an editable format that the laser cutter can use. SVG, PDF are good formats for our laser workflow.

We're going to be running through the full Inkscape Tutorial during today's session.

During this tutorial we will concentrate on the pen tool option of tracing, outlined in this video

inkscape_custom_shapes2.mp4

To get started in Inkscape, we're going to take a screenshot with the Snipping Tool of a design we want to use to learn with (search snip in your Windows search bar).

Here's an example we can use are from the back pages of 99 Everyday Homes, where there are casement windows and doors plus other great images to practice using the pen tool to trace with.

Sizing our Nooks

It's always important to get your sizing right, as it will save time and material wastage.

We need to know our material thickness before we start designing because this will impact our cutting and design process, for our Nook outer shells we're using 4mm ply. If using a Box maker program than you should already have noted and included the material thickness.

This is our Nook template measurements (assembled/internal);

height - 160mm (151mm)

width - 105mm (97mm)

length - 170mm (155mm)

Door Sizing for scale - 87-88mm height

For our individual archway designs, the internal width is 97mm, but keep in mind if you intend to cut and add wall rails to the base template walls, you will need to adjust the rails or archway to include notches to accommodate the fit.

Make sure to use the nook template to line your archway and notches up with the railing designs in Inkscape.

If you want to use one of our pre-made archway, you can choose from the vector file templates below, you will need to measure and re-size to fit your end nook design and make notches for any rails (e.g 3mm deep if rail is 3mm material).

Homework

During the time between our next session, consider practicing your new Inkscape skills so it starts to stick, and you can come with more designs to cut on the laser.

Session 2

Acknowledgement of Country

Welcome and Check in

What we are covering this session:

discuss where participants are at in terms of design work and their needs for the session

give participants their pre-cut book nooks

laser cutter induction - 1.5 hour

research and design time - at least 2 hours to finish archways, stained glass, doors and breezeways designs

refine any designs for cutting and laser as required after induction completed

research and look at choosing paint colours if time permits

Laser Induction

Each participant will undergo a laser induction from our Fabrication Lab supervisor during this session.

You can learn more about the State Library's laser here - Bookable Resources - Laser Cutter / Engraver

Research and Design - Queenslander Colours

During this session we want to trial and test some paint colours and combinations, we can use some of our scrap ply pieces. To get a true Queenslander look, dive into some of the below resources at State Library.

Books at SLQ (request and collect from Level 3):

http://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/f/1oppkg1/slq_alma21129647320002061

http://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/f/1oppkg1/slq_alma21136055350002061

http://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/f/1oppkg1/slq_alma21116993090002061

http://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/f/1oppkg1/slq_alma21133371520002061

Online Resources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queenslander_(architecture)

https://www.deluxpainting.com.au/blogs/popular-queenslander-interior-colour-schemes/ (mix of modern and traditional)

https://www.resene.com.au/pdf/charts/Heritage_Colour_Palette.pdf

https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/IE1814305

https://www.pinterest.com.au/carey1419/queenslander-colour-schemes/ (mix of modern and traditional)

Books for purchase: https://www.restorationstation.com.au/garden-homewares/books

Images from previous sessions for colour inspo

End goals of Session 2

A basic understanding of using State Library's laser cutter and completion of a laser cutter induction

Finished, or near finished design for your individual design pieces (it is ok to finalise and do more cutting in the next session)

Have a good idea of the colours you'd like to paint your book nook including the floor finish

Homework

Further design work if participants are keen to keep designing, especially for testing on laser cutter in the next session or providing to facilitators to test cut between sessions.

If you haven't already chosen a window engraving design, think about what you might like before the next session or bring one ready to cut.

Session 3

Acknowledgement of Country

Welcome and Check in

What we are covering this session:

Finalise design files and prep for laser

Laser cutting; getting comfortable with the laser after last fortnight's induction

Painting and some assembly

End goals of Session 3

At the end of these session we hope each participant will have the base Nooks painted with their preferred colour scheme and also have cut their design items.

You should have completed designs for;

Hall archway - design your own or use the vector files in the templates section that will need to be resized for your Nook and notched for rails

Rails, door surrounds and breezeway (above side door)

Door panelling - 3 x doors (1 x side door, 2 x swing doors)

Window casement - back window

Window panels/engraving - 3 x panels (1 x back window, 2 x swing doors)

Stained glass window - above front swing doors

Don't worry if you don't have any of these designed yourself, we have the basic designs available for you and will have pre-cut options.

Session 4

Acknowledgement of Country

Welcome and Check in

What we are covering this session:

Painting

Hinges or fastenings

Assembly

Exterior Finishing

Painting Nook pieces

2 x coats of paint is recommended for walls and roof, you can also paint the outside of the nook to compliment. For the floor, a stained look works nicely, make sure to test on scrap pieces of ply wood. If you are using boxboard, beware of too much soaking in.

Be careful when painting near the notches, if you add too much paint into the notch parts, it can make assembly of the final Nook more difficult as it adds extra dimension to a tight design.

For painting the stained glass windows, pens are recommended, kids coloured pens work well with a few coats, sharpies work ok but leave some pen marks which you can dab away with paper towel before it dries but can be fiddly.

Windows and doors

Depending on the designs you have chosen or created yourselves, you will need to do the following;

Glue the 'mottled glass' cut piece to the back of the large casement window using the Uhu glue, this then gets glued to the back Nook wall (make sure to glue it on the right way! The open hole on that piece is closest to the base/floor as remember, Queenslanders have high ceilings).

If you chose the generic side door, it just needs a paint, may need the hinge parts cut out a little more after painting to allow for the below. If you chose a design that has 'glass', you will need to collate the 4 pieces - 2 outer frames, internal frame that the mottled glass sits in and the glass itself, use the Uhu glue to assemble.

Glue the stained glass window to the backside of the front Nook piece

Hinges or fastenings

This is the trickiest part of the Nook process, the metal hinges are a bit too small to try to use nails or screws, and only certain glue will work with the metal and wood.

Here are the options we have found that can work, and it is your preference on which way you might like to go;

use small pieces of tape as hinges, works well and stays in place, however is visible even when painted and does not look the best

small magnets attached to doors and frames, seems to work well, may need to use the knives to cut deeper recesses for placement, also still relies on glue and wood (the Uhu glue we provide worked fine with the first magnet tests)

Mick to add his test here

Assembly

It is recommended that all painting is completed and external parts glued to each piece before gluing the final Nook together, you may need to use the knife to make sure extra paint hasn't added size to the notched parts as this can cause gaps.

End goals of Session 4

Nooks assembled and photos taken!

Provide you with inspiration for further adding to your designs with things like small LED lights, 3D printed parts and furniture, all things you can do at State Library's Fabrication Lab.

Design File Templates

Basic nook with archway design

Our nook dimensions file - nookdimensions.pdf

Template	Material	File
Base book nook design with door	4mm ply	Nook design file
Rails, door and window casements	1.5 mm to 3mm ply or boxboard	Rails, window & door casements
Mottled glass design for windows	1.5mm acrylic or 0.75mm PETG	Mottled glass
Stained glass window designs	0.75mm PETG	Stained glass engraving
All designs layered	Various	Combined files
Front Nook piece rails and door surround	1.7mm to 4mm works	Front Nook rails

Material cutting notes

Current working file for windows with engraving (clear acrylic or PETG), tested with 1.5mm acrylic and .75mm PETG, both look fine but the PETG works best since it's thinner, but be mindful of warping, quick single cuts are best and remove any plastic covering before cutting.

Further templates

Hallway with second room design

Please note these are not all checked for use with the above correct template files.

Billie's original design files

Nook box - prototypecutfile.pdf

Window, door casings and frames - miniwindowsdoors_1-5mm.pdf

Original stained glass window file - miniwindowsengraving.pdf

Original file for 0.5mm card (extra detail work, furniture) -

otherbits_0-5mm_card.pdf

Vectorised SLQ collection designs ready for resizing for use

Arch Vector Files

Arch 1 - Cabinet

Arch 2 - J

Arch 3 - E

Arch 4 - G

Arch 5

Arch 6

Arch 7

Arch 8

Casements

qldarchcasementsswingdoors.pdf

Stained Glass

Stained glass patterns from Craftmanspace.com

References

Interior fretwork designs https://www.auburnwoodturning.com.au/standard-heritage/interior-fretwork

Window etching designs https://www.househistories.org/rolled-figured-glass

Free stained glass window designs https://www.craftsmanspace.com/free-patterns/craft-patterns.html