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Empire State Building - a tower above the city

Build an openwork PLA model with a 20 × 20 cm base and a height of 40 cm. Three podium levels, a slender tower, upper setbacks, crown and spire create a recognisable silhouette. Work in stages and keep the modules labelled. No exact scale is claimed.

Age
8–12 years
Length
approx. 13 h
Level
Hard
Where you teach
Home
Purpose
Creative
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How to run this session

Stages and timing
  1. Prepare the base grids
  2. Make the base webs
  3. Assemble the box base
  4. P01: flat wall frames
  5. P01: crossbars and half the strands
  6. P01: finish the openwork walls
  7. P01: prepare crossbars and frame
  8. P01: assemble the open box
  9. P01: close the terrace frame
  10. P01: make the socket
  11. P01: mount the collar
  12. P02: flat wall frames
  13. P02: crossbars and half the strands
  14. P02: finish the openwork walls
  15. P02: prepare crossbars and frame
  16. P02: assemble the open box
  17. P02: close the terrace frame
  18. P02: make the socket
  19. P02: mount the collar
  20. P03: flat wall frames
  21. P03: crossbars and half the strands
  22. P03: finish the openwork walls
  23. P03: prepare crossbars and frame
  24. P03: assemble the open box
  25. P03: close the terrace frame
  26. P03: make the socket
  27. P03: mount the collar
  28. T01: flat wall frames
  29. T01: crossbars and half the strands
  30. T01: finish the openwork walls
  31. T01: prepare crossbars and frame
  32. T01: assemble the open box
  33. T01: close the terrace frame
  34. T01: make the socket
  35. T01: mount the collar
  36. T02: flat wall frames
  37. T02: crossbars and half the strands
  38. T02: finish the openwork walls
  39. T02: prepare crossbars and frame
  40. T02: assemble the open box
  41. T02: close the terrace frame
  42. T02: make the socket
  43. T02: mount the collar
  44. S01: flat wall frames
  45. S01: crossbars and half the strands
  46. S01: finish the openwork walls
  47. S01: prepare crossbars and frame
  48. S01: assemble the open box
  49. S01: close the terrace frame
  50. S01: make the socket
  51. S01: mount the collar
  52. S02: flat wall frames
  53. S02: crossbars and half the strands
  54. S02: finish the openwork walls
  55. S02: prepare crossbars and frame
  56. S02: assemble the open box
  57. S02: close the terrace frame
  58. S02: make the socket
  59. S02: mount the collar
  60. C01: flat wall frames
  61. C01: crossbars and half the strands
  62. C01: finish the openwork walls
  63. C01: prepare crossbars and frame
  64. C01: assemble the open box
  65. C01: close the terrace frame
  66. C01: make the socket
  67. C01: mount the collar
  68. C02: flat wall frames
  69. C02: crossbars and half the strands
  70. C02: finish the openwork walls
  71. C02: prepare crossbars and frame
  72. C02: assemble the open box
  73. C02: close the terrace frame
  74. Make the socket sample
  75. Test the frames without forcing
  76. Set the samples aside after measuring
  77. Make the mast and spire flat
  78. Assemble the summit unit
  79. P01: add to the tower
  80. P02: add to the tower
  81. P03: add to the tower
  82. T01: add to the tower
  83. T02: add to the tower
  84. S01: add to the tower
  85. S02: add to the tower
  86. C01: add to the tower
  87. C02: add to the tower
  88. Mount the mast on the crown
  89. P01: make the facade details
  90. P01: attach the strips
  91. P02: make the facade details
  92. P02: attach the strips
  93. P03: make the facade details
  94. P03: attach the strips
  95. T01: make the facade details
  96. T01: attach the strips
  97. T02: make the facade details
  98. T02: attach the strips
  99. S01: make the facade details
  100. S01: attach the strips
  101. S02: make the facade details
  102. S02: attach the strips
  103. C01: make the facade details
  104. C01: attach the strips
  105. C02: make the facade details
  106. C02: attach the strips
  107. Prepare the entrance portal
  108. Add the central entrance
  109. Check the tower from four sides

What gets built

Build a tall architectural model with characteristic stepped massing.

Success criteria
  • The segments stand upright, the model is stable, and the setbacks and summit remain clear from several sides.
  • The vertical rib rhythm continues through both shaft sections; the central entrance and cornices are visible, and no loose part remains on the tower.

What you need
Filament
PLA
Colours
colour shown in the illustration
Also
3D pen with power supply and stand: 1 set. Compatible with PLA; also used for welds., Light grey or sand-coloured PLA: 1 working supply. The production calculation determines metres and grams from all geometry, samples and a weld allowance. One filament type., Transparent heat-resistant mat: 1 item. At least 22 × 22 cm, lying flat on the worktop., Ruler: 1 item. Length 30 cm; for print scale, alignment and segment verticality., Blunt-tipped tweezers: 1 item. For holding collars, strips and the spire during welding; keep fingers on the handle away from the nozzle., A4 paper: 81 sheets in reserve. The reserve allows a separate sheet for every unique pattern and session labels. Print the actual pages of the generated set; repeat shared patterns according to their copy count., Flat worktop and storage space: 1 workstation. For separate modules and, after assembly, a standing model 40 cm high.

Files

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Version d1198b5c-3201-4d9a-bb09-57f3a9a929c0 Updated 2026-10-07

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