Gwathmay Residence

The Gwathmay Residence is complete and has been uploaded to the SketchUp 3D warehouse.

Here are some images of the model. There are three slideshows, followed by the link to the 3d model.

Accuracy Slideshow

Watch this slideshow to see the model compared to photos of the actual residence.

Virtual Build Slideshow

Watch this slideshow to see each group/room added to the home from the ground up, as if constructed in the real world.

Model Build Slideshow

Watch this slideshow to see snapshots of the model as I went through the process of modeling it.

Additional Resources:

• Delicious collection of related links


• Images of the house from around the web.

The Passing of a Great - Gwathmey Residence

Charles Gwathmey was an well known New York architect who became famous at 25... 25! by designing and building his parents house in the Hamptons.

The small house, completed in 1968, ushered in a new enthusiasm for modernism and is considered by many to be his best work.

On August of this year he died of cancer in New York at 71 years old.

I've modeled the house and I will be posting it to the 3d Warehouse in a few days, once I've completed the studio which accompanies the main house. His parents were both artists. Here you can see the massing model as it currently exists. Also the windows, doors, and textures need to be added.

I've had to extrapolate some of the measurements from the available photos, but I think I've mostly recreated its famous proportions. The model reflects the house as it stands now, including the changes that Charles introduced when he remodeled the home upon moving in after the death of his parents. The changes (to the best that I can see) are a larger kitchen and the elimination of a raised veranda, and the addition of two or three windows.

As usual I'll share all the links and photos that I used to research this project.

Sketchup Model of the Original Penn Station in New York

On October 29th, 1963 workers began demolishing a architectural masterpiece in New York City, just 53 years after its construction was completed. At the current site of Madison Square Garden, the building was designed to stand 500 years but lasted just 1/10th of that. It was a beaux arts jem and the pinnacle of architect Charles McKim's career.

At this link you can find a 3d model, based on McKim, Mead and White (McKim's architectural firm) published plans and many photos and even some film.

Many of those photos are show here, with a similarly placed SketchUp "camera".



My goal with this model was to get a feel for walking within this lauded building since it is now impossible to do so, and to thereby understand better the great sense of loss described by those who are old enough to have first hand experience with this great building.

I have to say that by downloading and viewing (viewer available here) this model you too can get a sense of this historic building.

Almost Done

My real job has been really busy as of late, so I haven't had much time to model. That said, the Penn Station model is very nearly complete, and I'm starting to think about how I will present it here.

My goal is to put in the final geometry touches by 1 July and to upload it to the warehouse. However, unlike my other models, I think I really want to find or build really accurate surface textures in order to match other top models of classic buildings in the 3D warehouse. That exercise itself will take a good amount of time, so hopefully I can find it.

Update (4 Aug) - the model is finished, including exterior textures and is ready to be uploaded to the warehouse. I'm just writing the blog post and doing the photo album. Everything will be up in seven days.