How to Build a Small Model of Angkor Wat
They call it one of humankind's most enduring architectural achievements, but you may proclaim it downright difficult if you're asked to build a scale model of Angkor Wat for a school or Scouting project. This formidable collection of 100-plus stone temples and dwellings in Cambodia is situated in a rectangular compound surrounded by water. It's deteriorated since its construction in the early 12th Century, but current efforts to restore the compound have been amazing. To replicate this ancient holy site use these instructions to make a model you'll be proud to display.
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Things You'll Need
- Craft paper for pattern making
- Amaco, Delight or other air-dry modeling clay
- Pencil
- Yardstick
- Tracing tool/transfer paper
- Sheet of plywood
- Jigsaw
- Photos of Angkor Wat
- Silk or paper greenery
- Dowels or supports cut to building heights
- Superglue
- Clear epoxy resin
- Sculpting tools
- Blue paint
Instructions
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Make a paper blueprint of your Angkor Wat layout using craft paper and a yardstick from photo references found at the library or on the Internet. Measure out space for five rectangular walls and moats to mirror the site's layout.
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Transfer the rectangular Angkor Wat blueprint to the sheet of plywood using a tracing tool and transfer paper. Highlight the lines with a permanent marker to define wall, building and waterway parameters. Cut the plywood base using a jigsaw after all measurements have been transferred to the plywood.
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3
Flatten out neutral-colored clay (taupe or earthy brown are ideal) using a rolling pin. The amount required will be contingent upon the size of your Angkor Wat model, but since you're working on five individual sides of the compound, you'll work with small quantities at a time. Use a scalpel, X-Acto knife or other cutting implement to outline and cut out each of the five silhouettes.
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Incise building details using Angkor Wat photos as reference. Improvise incising tools by using small household objects like spoons, small box edges and other shapes that can be repeatedly poked into the clay to replicate the patterns, curves and details on building exteriors.
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Glue dowels or other supports to the plywood along each wall perimeter to support the clay facades. Fasten the back of each clay section to the supports using more clay. Smooth out the interior sides of each section with a damp organic sponge to strengthen the bond.
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6
Arrange the five facades around the square, and anchor them to dowels with more clay. Let the model dry. Fill the interior courtyard with faux vegetation to mimic dense jungle growing amidst the ruins and you'll conceal the unadorned interior walls.
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Paint in the moat on the plywood base with soft blue paint. Pour clear epoxy resin along the blue moat pathway. Once it hardens, add faux greenery along the moat borders to cover epoxy intrusions. Buy miniature palm trees and glue them into place over the lawn materials to finish your model.
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Tips & Warnings
It will take time to "stamp" building details into each section of the clay, so prepare to expend some patience as you incise these patterns.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit my-onlineclass.org
