In Terms 1 and 2, 2025, we worked with two students at Lincoln High School as part of their Adopt A Scientist programme.

These Year 9 students decided they wanted to print a 3D model of an old house that had been demolished after the Canterbury earthquakes. They wanted to learn more about creating 3D models and what life was like in 19th century Christchurch. Local resident Paul Penning - who’s a bit of an expert in building and printing 3D models - very generously volunteered his time and expertise to help us with this.

We chose a house that once stood in the Avon Loop. This house, in fact. Using the elevations and floor plans that were drawn during the buildings recording, we created a 3D model in Tinkercad, and then printed this. But, like all good scientists, we had to test our process along the way: Paul also made a cardboard model of the house, to check the accuracy of the building plans. As part of the project, the students also had to write a report on their work, as well as give a presentation about it.

Scroll through the images below to see the house take shape.

It was fun to see the house come to life again, and to see the students engage with archaeology in different ways. It was also great to learn that our scale building drawings could be used in this way.