Today, in Star Internet Radio “Toy Spirit” program we invited the renowned professional architectural model maker<\/a>, Ray Cheung, to share with us how he first got into this trade and the challenges encountered when setting up his company including all the fascinating facts.<\/p>\n In fact, success is never far from you, as long as you are determined and know how to seize the presented opportunity!<\/p>\n Host Bryan\uff1a<\/strong><\/p>\n Welcome to season 3, episode 23 of “Toy Spirit.” Our guest today is a little unusual due to the nature of the work undertaken by his company, which differs from all previous guests.<\/p>\n So why did we invite Ray to be our guest?<\/p>\n Other than a friend’s recommendation, the main reason is that the work that Ray is engaged in is relatively interesting for our listeners.<\/p>\n Firstly, let’s have Ray introduce him and the kind of work he does that our listeners may be interested in.<\/p>\n Ray Cheung\uff1a<\/strong><\/p>\n Hello everyone, I’m Ray. I’m actually a professional architecture model maker.<\/p>\n I believe every model lover or architectural model maker has the wish to have an architectural model<\/a> which they can admire or have as a collectible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u25b2An architectural model is able to directly and visually display an architectural design. It is also a convenient way to study the plausibility of a design concept. The picture shows a model constructed for a project by Swire Properties Limited.<\/p>\n The design is by renowned architect Frank Owen Gehry, and this is his one and only grand residential project<\/a> in Asia \u2013 Opus Hong Kong.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Host Bryan\uff1a<\/strong><\/p>\n Do you have an interest in architectural model building as a child, which resulted in you developing your career in this area?<\/p>\n Ray Cheung\uff1a<\/strong><\/p>\n Not exactly. \u00a0I never come in contact with any professional architectural models building sets, and I couldn’t have afforded one anyway.<\/p>\n However, to be able to stay in this trade for more than 20 years, I must have a very profound interest to display such determination.<\/p>\n Host Bryan\uff1a<\/strong><\/p>\n Is it true that Ray, you started architectural model building as a summer job many years ago, and this is how you got in contact with the model building<\/a> profession?<\/p>\n Ray Cheung\uff1a<\/strong><\/p>\n By chance, I was introduced to the art of architectural model making<\/a> by some friends in high school.<\/p>\n I remember a friend’s company needed a lot more help to make the architectural model of the trees for the Sino’s Hong Kong Tuen Mun Gold Coast project and he contacted me.<\/p>\n In 1989, the tree models were made by printing the tree leaves on A2 or A4 papers.<\/p>\n The tree leaves were then cut out and coil round together by iron wire to create the tree model.<\/p>\n During that time, it was possible to purchase the trees, but the cost was very high at about 30, 40 Hong Kong Dollars per tree.<\/p>\n It is, therefore, cheaper to make it ourselves.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u25b2Ray and his Partner of RJ Models, Hakan were discussing the details of the making of an architectural model.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Host Bryan\uff1a<\/strong><\/p>\n Based on the conditions and environment then, how was an architectural model created? What materials were used?<\/p>\n Ray Cheung\uff1a<\/strong><\/p>\n There was a high expectation of the craftsmanship.<\/p>\n For example, the ability to saw a silky thin sheet out of 0.5mm thick acrylic, with a 2mm saw.<\/p>\n We bought a single block of acrylic and carved the different components out of the block with a saw.<\/p>\n We then used spray paint to create the various effects such as the windows and the stone structure.<\/p>\n A one meter tall 30-floor residential building required two professional model makers and took two weeks to complete.<\/p>\n \u25b2Architectural model construction requires meticulous attention to details. The picture above shows the carving of Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank 1:100 bronze lion statues.<\/p>\n Host Bryan\uff1a<\/strong><\/p>\n Unimaginable! The professional model makers at technical expert level indeed display exquisite craftsmanship!<\/p>\n So how was the scaling of the architectural model done during that time?<\/p>\n Ray Cheung\uff1a<\/strong><\/p>\n There were no computer-assisted programs in the 90s, scaling was done using the blueprints supplied by the properties developers.<\/p>\n During the building process, we enlarged the drawing using the photocopier and redrew the entire design.<\/p>\n And during the drawing process, we also consider and make plans for the different materials needed for the different sections to be used afterward.<\/p>\n The most challenging part is the planning process!<\/p>\n Host Bryan\uff1a<\/strong><\/p>\n I’ve benefitted so much from the understanding of the making of the professional architectural models.<\/p>\n Previously, I didn’t fully introduce Ray to the listeners. Ray started the model making company with a small workshop of 4 or 5 people before becoming today’s RJ Models.<\/p>\n According to reports, it is one of the very professional model making companies in the industry.<\/p>\n The scale of their company is massive too.<\/p>\n Many of the world’s famous landmark buildings have their architectural models constructed by RJ Models, especially those in the domestic market in China, the Middle East, India, and Turkey.<\/p>\n Since the expansion of Ray’s company, Ray no longer involves himself in the making of the models.<\/p>\n His primary responsibilities are engaging in business discussion, planning, training, and management.<\/p>\n Since you are here in the program, why not tell the listeners how you progressed from a part-time model maker to becoming a huge professional model making company’s director.<\/p>\n This will provide not only excellent guidance but also the encouragement to the listeners who like model-building who also want to start-up their own business or wishing for a breakthrough in their career.<\/p>\n You now have a brilliant career, a blissful life without worries.<\/p>\n But did you experience any difficulties or crisis during the growth of your company?<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rjmodels.com.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/StarRadio-2.png\")
<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rjmodels.com.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/StarRadio-3-1.jpg\")
<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rjmodels.com.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/StarRadio-4.png\")
<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rjmodels.com.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/StarRadio-5.png\")
<\/div>\n