New London Model

A 1:2000 scale interactive model of central London is now on display at The Building Centre as part of NLA’s new permanent exhibition. The model brings the story of London’s historical and physical development to life through a sophisticated projection system integrated with films.

At 12.5 metres-long, the model covers more than 85 square kilometres of London, 19 Boroughs and approximately 170,000 buildings, including 34km of the Thames with its corresponding 21 bridges. It extends from King’s Cross in the north to Peckham in the south and the Royal Docks in the east to Old Oak Common in the west.

Touchscreens allow buildings and major infrastructure projects to be brought to life across the surface of the model, showing the key areas of change and revealing the sheer scale of proposed development in the capital. Visitors can also call up detailed information and key facts on London’s newest and projects buildings.

Integrated films document the history and development of the capital, the impact of the London Plan, major infrastructure plans, the rise of tall buildings and the ongoing influence of the Great Estates. New films will be commissioned to coincide with NLA’s ongoing programme of Insight Study research pieces.

The New London Model was built by Pipers with data supplied by Ordnance Survey using a combination of laser-cutting, 3-D printing and hand-crafting. It was made possible through the support of the following Benefactors:

Almacantar / Battersea Power Station Development Company / Barratt London / British Land / Brookfield / Cadogan Estate / Canary Wharf Group / Capital and Counties / Cathedral / CORE / Countryside / The Crown Estate / Delancey / Derwent London / Development Securities / Essential Living / Exemplar / FORE Partnership / Great Portland Estates / Helical Bar / King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership (KCCLP) / Land Securities / Lend Lease / London Legacy Development Corporation / Mount Anvil / Native Land / Ordnance Survey / The Portman Estate / Redrow London / Renewal / Stanhope / TIAA Henderson Real Estate / UCL / Westfield / Whitbread