geometric correction to the structure. In 1990 the tower was leaning 4/100 of inch (1 mm) every week. At this point it was generally thought that the tower would collapse unless something was done. Through the centuries, a number of projects have been implemented to stop the tower’s lean. Finally a British engineering professor came up a solution to prevent the collapse by removing ground soil from under the high side of the tower. Work began in 1999 and it was completed at the beginning of June 2001. In May 2008, after the removal of 70 tons of earth, the tower had been stabilized. The engineers estimated that the tower would be stable for at least 200 years.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa stands at 183.3 feet or 55.8 meters from the ground on the low side and 186 feet or 56.7 meters on the high side.
Dimensions of the finished model:
(excluding the baseboard)
3.33 inches or 8.5 cm in length
2.74 inches or 7 cm in width
9.48 inches or 24 cm in height
Pieces count: 3 pieces (excluding the baseboard) Difficulty level: 3/10 (easy)
To Download the Die-Cut Patterns, please click here.
1. Cut out X01 as shown in the figure.
2. Cut out X02 as shown in the figure.
3. Cut out X03 as shown in the figure.
4. Flip X01 over. Fold the upper part as shown in the figure.
5. Fold these parts as shown in the figure.
6. Fold these parts as shown in the figure.
7. Fold these parts as shown in the figure.
8. Fold these parts as shown in the figure.
9. Repeat steps 4 to 8 to make two components.
10. Flip X02 over. Fold the bottom part as shown in the figure.
11. Fold this part as shown in the figure.
12. Fold this part as shown in the figure.
13. Glue the X02 onto the baseboard as shown in the figure.
14. Glue X01 onto X02 as shown in the figure.
15. Fold down the building completely as shown in the figure.
16. Use heavy books to weight the building. Apply glue as shown in the figure. Close the baseboard tightly. This will allow a perfect position for gluing.
17. It should look like this after step 16 done.
18. Glue X03 onto X02 as shown in the figure.
19. Fold down the building completely as shown in the figure.
20. Use heavy books to weight the building. Apply glue as shown in the figure. Close the baseboard tightly. They will find a perfect position to be glued.
21. It should look like this after step 20 is done.
THE HALL OF SUPREME HARMONY
The Forbidden City, Beijing, China
WThe Hall of Supreme Harmony is the largest hall found in within the Forbidden City in Beijing. It is first building you come to after passing through the Gate of Supreme Harmony. It is the largest wood building in China and one of the largest wood buildings in the world. It is the tallest building in the Forbidden City and is regarded as its most magnificent building. It was built during the Ming Dynasty in 1406 and was destroyed seven times by fires (mostly due to lightning strikes) during the Qing Dynasty and last re-built in 1695–1697. The interior is replete with dragons to signify the power of the nobility. It was built according to principles of Feng Shui with the numbers of five and nine being prominent in its building (auspicious numbers), including the Nine Dragon Screen and doors with nine rows of ornaments going up and down the pillars. The Last Emperor Puyi was crowned here in 1908 when he was three years old. Today over 7 million people visit the Forbidden City and its most famous structure each year.
The Hall of Supreme Harmony in terms of height, it stands tall at 88.3 feet or 26.92 meters. Its depth is measured at 157.5 feet or 48 meters, while its width is 311.7 feet or 95 meters.
Dimensions of the finished model:
(excluding the baseboard)
10.17 inches or 25.8 cm in length
5.91 inches or 15 cm in width
4.32 inches or 11 cm in height.
Pieces count: 17 pieces (excluding the baseboard) Difficulty
