WELCOME
The Thorp Archive is a unique collection of 40,000 photographs and documents that trace the history of Thorp Modelmakers. Founded by John Thorp in 1883, the company's archive provides an insight into the origins and development of architectural modelmaking as a professional practice in Britain, and traces a parallel history of the built environment as evidenced by the thousands of architectural models the company made. Still making models today, Thorp is recognised by Guinness World Records as the oldest firm of modelmakers in the world: www.thorpmodelmakers.co.uk.
The company's archive prior to their purchase by fellow modelmaking firm Atom in 1995 is now held by Arts University Bournemouth, and on this website you can search the full catalogue records and view 2,000 digitised photographs of architectural models from the company between 1890 and 1995. You can also visit the collection in person by appointment at the Arts University Bournemouth library.
Contact UsYou can browse and search the archive to view the full catalogue records of every item in the collection or explore just the digitised images by selecting from the above options. Photographs of almost all the architectural models recorded in the catalogue have now been digitised with additional content to follow over time.
Introduction
News & Updates
2 min readThe Thorp Modelmaking Archive has launched a new searchable website featuring more than 2,000 digitised photographs, expanded catalogue access, and improved tools for exploring the history of architectural modelmaking.
2 min readRecognised by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest firm of architectural modelmakers, Thorp's remarkable history continues to inspire modelmakers, researchers, and the wider public.
1 min readExplore a curated selection of websites, archives, and publications that reveal the history, practice, and cultural significance of architectural modelmaking in Britain and beyond.
MODEL HISTORIES
Learn more about some of Thorp's greatest models in this series of short documentary films.
05:53Discover the story of John Thorp’s famous Old London models.
07:33Learn all about the incredible 1968 Sea City proposal.
06:37The remarkable model of Edwin Lutyens’ unbuild masterpiece.
FROM THE COLLECTION
The Thorp Archive holds several fascinating newsreel films from the 1920s showcasing John Thorp and his modelmakers at work, and a copy of a 1968 documentary made to promote the Pilkington Glass Age Development Committee's Sea City proposal.
30:35A documentary made for the Pilkington Glass Age Development Committee about the unveiling of their Sea City project, and Thorp’s model of it, in 1968.
01:55A Pathe Pictorial film from 1929 that features John Thorp’s model of Old Cheapside.
03:09A 1929 newsreel featuring John Thorp’s model of the Coliseum Theatre.
