We’ve previously shared stories about exhibiting our 3D printed model of Dublin at the Synthetic Cities conference and Dublin’s Beta Festival of digital arts. However, for the last few years we’ve also had a 3D printed model of Cork stored in our lab. Last week the model of Cork finally went to a new home at the library at University College Cork (UCC).

Both models were originally created as part of the Building City Dashboards project. The original plan had been to display both models together for an end of project exhibition but this was prevented when the Covid-19 pandemic struck. After the pandemic we adopted the Dublin model and we’ve been seeking a home for the Cork model ever since.

Last year researcher Maedhbh Nic Lochlainn joined UCC as a lecturer in Human Geography and GIS. As a friend of the Data Stories project, Maedhbh had a good understanding of the model’s value, and this made her the perfect person to adopt and champion it. Maedhbh secured funding to have the model mounted for display by the same team at Display Contracts who prepared the Dublin installation for Data Stories.

Before Christmas I visited the Display Contracts workshop in North Dublin to see the model being prepared. Like it’s Dublin sibling, the Cork model measures 3.5 x 2 metres and covers 28sq km of the city. The key difference between the two is Cork’s hilly terrain. This makes the Cork model significantly thicker and bulkier. Despite the challenge, Display Contracts handled the job expertly.

The piece was delivered to UCC and assembled in the university library last Friday. Students and visitors will be able to explore Cork’s urban landscape in miniature there.