At Innovate Marquette, we’re always exploring creative ways to merge technology with community projects. One of our most recent endeavors was designing and building a detailed scale model of the city of Negaunee complete with miniature parks, monuments, and city details that highlight recent renovations.
Building the Foundation
The foundation of the model was created using our FDM 3D printers, which produced a gray base that outlines Negaunee’s streets and buildings. To showcase community updates, we designed raised platforms that highlight completed park renovations. These platforms rest on an angled wooden base, making the entire model easy to view and explore.
Crafting the Details
Accuracy and attention to detail were very important to this project. Our Protolab team made multiple trips to Negaunee to capture photos and take on site measurements of each park. From there, we recreated every feature including custom iron signs and water fountains using CAD software.
Each park was then digitally laid out and brought to life through full-color 3D printing. The raised platforms were laser cut and designed to attach magnetically to the base, while smaller features like lights were carefully painted and assembled by hand.
Highlight Feature: Illuminated Monuments
One of the most striking elements of the model is the set of tall iron monuments found in one of Negaunee’s parks. In real life, these structures light up at night and we replicated that effect by 3D printing the monuments and installing lights beneath the platform.
On Display
The finished replica will be displayed at Negaunee City Hall, where it will serve as a detailed, scaled down view of the city’s parks and recent renovations. The model offers an opportunity for community members to experience the updates shaping their city.
