Little Building Co. Tate Modern Wooden Model Kit, 1:1200

Build Giles Gilbert Scott and Herzog & de Meuron’s Tate Modern in timber: a 1:1200 scale model kit of 137 parts, made in Australia by Little Building Co.

A power station has stood on London’s Bankside since the 1890s. Giles Gilbert Scott designed the existing building in 1945–47, and as Bankside Power Station it ran on oil for almost thirty years until it closed in 1981. Herzog & de Meuron won the 1994 competition to convert it, Tate Modern opened in 2000, and the same architects later added the underground Tanks and the brick Blavatnik Building. Little Building Co.’s kit captures Scott’s chimney and turbine hall alongside the pyramid-like Blavatnik Building at 1:1200 scale, in aspen, american cherry, mdf and acrylic. It has 137 parts and takes one person about 14 hours to assemble from clear, stage-by-stage diagrams. The finished model measures about 6″ L × 10″ W × 4″ H. You will need PVA wood glue and a single-edge razor blade and some masking tape, not included.

Specifications

• Brand: Little Building Co. (Brisbane, Australia)
• Model: Tate Modern model kit
• Building: Tate Modern, London, England
• Architect: Giles Gilbert Scott and Herzog & de Meuron
• Type: Wooden architectural model kit (assembly required)
• Scale: 1:1200
• Parts: 137
• Build time: About 14 hours for one person
• Finished size: Approx. 6″ L × 10″ W × 4″ H
• Materials: Aspen, American cherry, MDF and acrylic
• Also needed: PVA wood glue and a single-edge razor blade and some masking tape, not included
• Instructions: Easy-to-follow stage-by-stage diagrams
• Age: Contains small parts; ages 5+
• Made in: Australia
• Item number (MPN): LB-TMK

Features

• 1:1200 scale model of the Tate Modern, London, England
• 137 precision-cut parts; about 14 hours to build
• Timber kit: Aspen, American cherry, MDF and acrylic
• Clear, stage-by-stage illustrated instructions
• Finished size approx. 6″ L × 10″ W × 4″ H
• Made in Australia

Best for

Architects, architecture students and design lovers; a quiet weekend project for anyone who enjoys careful handwork. Built, it is a handsome object for a bookshelf, desk or office reception. More from Little Building Co.: Little Building Co. Guggenheim Museum Wooden Model Kit, 1:500, Little Building Co. Jacobs House Wooden Model Kit, Frank Lloyd Wright, 1:100, Little Building Co. Sydney Opera House Wooden Model Kit, 1:750.

Who this is not for

• Young children on their own: the kit contains small parts (5+ per the maker), and the single-edge razor blade should be handled by an adult (our advice).
• Anyone wanting a ready-made model: it arrives as a kit to assemble.
• Snap-together fans: it needs glue and patience.

Why we carry it

We’ve been curating design-led pieces since 2009, and these are the gifts our architect clients ask for by name. Little Building Co. designs, develops and manufactures architectural model kits in Brisbane, Australia, with the look and feel of models from an architect’s own studio. Each kit is researched from original drawings, detailed photographs and cross-referenced details, made from sustainably sourced materials where possible, and supports the Foundations, Trusts and Estates that preserve the legacy of the architects behind the buildings.

Care for the finished model

Solid timber ages beautifully on a shelf. Little Building Co. recommends furniture wax on the finished timber models, except the Farnsworth House, whose clear acrylic windows would be hard to clean of wax; there, wax only a cherry base. Dust with a soft, dry brush.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Tate Modern kit take to build?

About 14 hours for one person; most builders spread it over a few evenings.

What do I need to build the Tate Modern model?

Little Building Co. recommends a good-quality PVA wood glue (not included), plus a single-edge razor blade and some masking tape.

How big is the finished Tate Modern model?

Approx. 6″ L × 10″ W × 4″ H, at 1:1200 scale.

Is the Tate Modern kit hard to build?

No special skills are needed, just patience and the ability to follow the stage-by-stage diagrams.

What if I glue a Tate Modern part in the wrong place?

Many parts join with a pressure-sensitive adhesive that cures over time, so a misplaced part can be peeled apart and repositioned; PVA also gives you time to adjust.

What age is the Tate Modern model kit for?

It contains small parts and is for ages 5 and up; younger builders will want an adult alongside.

Trade pricing for design professionals

Interior designers, architects, contractors and builders can apply to the MetropolitanDecor Trade Program for trade pricing on Little Building Co. and the rest of our catalog, a dedicated trade support line, and free catalogs and finish swatches. Applying takes about three minutes; our trade team reviews every application personally, usually within one business day. Furnishing an architecture office, a museum shop or a client gift program? Contact us with models and quantities and we’ll confirm availability and lead time.

Shipping & returns

Ships in 2–3 business days. Orders over $100 ship free by ground to the 48 contiguous states. All sales are final, so check the size and specifications above before ordering; if your order arrives damaged or isn’t what you ordered, contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos and we’ll make it right.

Please note: Because this item is made to order or specially sourced, it is final sale.