Interactive directory mockup: a project with functional and symbolic value
A project born from the gratitude of the Class of 39
The interactive directory model of the National Police Academy in Ávila originated as a gift from the 39th graduating class. It wasn't commissioned directly by the Academy itself, but rather an initiative driven by those who wanted to leave behind a useful, lasting, and meaningful memento.
The model was conceived as a piece with memory, but also with a clear practical function. It represents the group of buildings that make up the School and helps to better understand the general layout of the site.
A model designed to guide and explain
From the outset, this interactive directory model had to fulfill a dual purpose. On the one hand, to showcase the interior of the buildings that make up the School. On the other, to serve as a directory for locating areas, spaces, and specializations within the complex.
To achieve this, we built the buildings without a roof, leaving their interior layout visible and facilitating a quick understanding of the space. The result is a model that informs, guides and brings the School closer to those who need to understand it visually.
A model to understand the School from the inside
One of the most important aspects of this interactive model directory was the decision to construct the buildings without a roof. This solution allows visitors to see the interior of each volume and understand how its spaces are organized.
In a model of this type, visual clarity is as important as architectural fidelity. Therefore, each building was designed so that it could be easily, neatly, and usefully read from above for the visitor.
An overview of the entire set
The model allows the viewer to observe the National Police Academy in Ávila as a connected complex, where each building has a function within the overall layout. By removing the roofs, the model ceases to be merely an exterior representation and becomes a tool for spatial interpretation.
The user can locate zones, recognize areas, and understand the relationship between different spaces at a glance. Thus, the model helps to transform a complex space into a much more accessible visual representation.
Interactive directory mockup as a guidance system
The interactive directory model was conceived not only as an architectural representation, but also as a wayfinding system within the National Police Academy in Ávila. Its objective was to help locate areas, buildings, and specialties clearly, without the need to interpret complex plans.
Each element had to be quick, direct and useful to someone approaching the set for the first time. Therefore, the design was developed with both the accuracy of the model and the user experience in mind.
Interactivity at the service of information
The interactive component allows the model to function as a visual directory, facilitating the identification of specific spaces within the site. This informative layer transforms the piece into more than just an exhibition model: it becomes a practical tool for consulting, locating, and understanding.
Technology is integrated discreetly so that the focus remains on the School and its internal organization. In this way, the visitor can relate each area to its function in a simple and natural way.
The challenge of representing an architectural ensemble with clarity
Representing a site like the National Police Academy in Ávila requires constant balancing of accuracy and clarity. In a model of this kind, each building must be recognizable, but the whole must also be easily understood in an organized way.
The goal was not to fill the piece with information, but to make the important information easy to read. Therefore, we worked on the scale, volumes, and distribution to ensure that the model was accurate, clean, and easy to interpret.
Manufacturing focused on the user experience
During the manufacturing process, each solution was designed with the user's interaction with the model in mind. The layout of the buildings, the visibility of the interiors, and the integration of the directory system all had to function as a single, cohesive experience.
A good model is not just something to look at: it's something to explore with your eyes. In this project, that visual reading was essential for the piece to fulfill its informative, representative, and emotional function.
A promotional souvenir turned into a permanent piece
This interactive directory mockup holds special significance because it originated as a collective gift from the Class of 39 to the National Police Academy in Ávila. It serves as a record of a graduating class's time at the academy, but also as a useful resource for those who will follow.
The model transforms a memory of that stage into a permanent tool for the School. It combines the emotional value of the tribute with the functionality of a directory designed to guide and explain.
A special mention
This project deserves special mention for Inmaculada García, the driving force behind the idea and a key figure in its development. She coordinated, organized, and ensured the production of this model, shaping an initiative that required commitment, perseverance, and considerable management skills.
Without their drive, this project would not have been possible. Thanks to their work, that initial idea was transformed into a real model, presented as an offering from the Class of XXXIX to the School.
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