This competition ran in April-May 2007 and was run by amory. We also owe a word of thanks to Eazy-O for compiling this summary from the information posted on the forum.
The theme for this competition is to create a structure or area based on an existing local building, landmark or location, and converted for an alternate universe; specifically, the game setting you are most familiar with. Where possible, entrants should try to replace elements 1-for-1, like replacing a modern light with a torch, or a computer terminal with a... futuristic computer terminal.
In addition to the WIP and final entry photo, a photo of the original location from a similar angle/perspective is required to allow voters to judge how well the layout and scale of the real location has been recreated.
From its humble beginnings as an empty juice bottle, a toilet paper roll, some coat hanger wire, tinfoil, and spackle, it does a credible job of imitating a Bourne heater, if I do say so myself.
The basing consists of ballast glued around the roots to simulate the 'pushing up' effect of the roots entering the ground, surrounded by a ring of sand to simulate the effect of the tower sucking everything out of the area around it, and finally, the unaffected grass that would surround one of these (according to the fluff, anyway).
If I were to do it again, I would not use the green 'webbing' on the spines and would use thorn clusters instead; easier to perch minis on, easier to paint, and would probably look better.
The head and hands are cheeseball porcelain doll parts I found at a dollar store. I carved the top and skirt from white styro with a good fresh blade so I could cut detail. The wings are multiple layers of cardboard from a cereal box layered together. The detail on the base are ever useful furniture tacs pushed into the foam before painting.
The finish is a coat of white glue to firm it up, then acrylic paint for the base color. I do NOT reccomend painting porcelin with acrylic if you plan to do a wash. The paint on her head soaked up the watery green-black (for a nice corrosion effect) and drooped.
I planned on doing a steampunk (Iron Kingdoms) version of our very own Aloha Tower here in Honolulu, Hawaii. I started out by using Power Point to design the basic shapes of the base of the tower. I then printed out the designs on full sheet labels. After the parts were printed, I applied them to my foam board to be cut out.
After all the parts were cut out, I assembled them. I then applied some architectural details using plasticard.
The actual tower has glass windows, but in the Iron Kingdoms setting I think something more sturdy would be appropriate. I cut out windows and laid sewing grid sheets behind them. I also added access points on all four sides of the second level. The top didn't turn out as I imagined. I think painting was the toughest thing for me.