Scale Models

     I continued my model making when I constructed the Prudential Center in downtown Newark, NJ. It is by far my best one yet, while still conveying all of the great features the actual venue has to offer.

     Before I started anything on the project, I knew that I wanted this one to be different than any other model I have built. I wanted this arena to stand out more than ever with its great detail. One aspect I wanted to have was, instead of tradtional hand drawn seats, I wanted actual seats. I knew that it would take twice as long, but be way worth it. It would give it that sense of a real arena with people just waiting to occupy the seats. Another element that I wanted to have was for it to be able to be converted from hockey to basketball and vice-versa. Along with the New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall Men's Basketball made the move to Newark so this would fit perfectly. I would have retractable seating around the perimeter that would be put in place for a basketball game to complete the transformation. The previous aspects described along with many more became a reality upon completion.

     By mid July, planning was on-going and the project was in its early stages. I had mostly hand drawn plans on paper that just gave me a basic road map of what to do and when. I could only go so far in the planning process because there were certain things I just couldn't come up with an accurate size. During planning, I would log onto the New Jersey Devils website almost everyday to track the progress of the actual arena. This was necessary because I needed to see how exaclty something looked and how big it was, during the rough stages. By late July, plans had been finshed and construction was ahead.

     Beginning with a sheet of plywood from our local home depot, I had to come up with an overall perimeter of what the arena would sit on. Once the wood was cut and sanded to the final size, I hand drew exactly where certain pieces would go. The two entry cylinders, the practice facility and game rink had to all have a definite location in order to continue. Once that was finished, I started putting in place the vertical beams at which the first level of seats would sit on.

     Contrary to how most actual arenas are built, I constructed mine from the bottom up. I started with the first level and gradually made my way all the up to the roof. The first step of construction was to install the bottom tier, which is made out of a very thin cardboard. Next I would begin the tedious task of making each and every one of the 17,000 plus seats. All of the seats in a single row are connected with one another at which they are glued onto the cardboard. Once the seats within the first level were completed, I added regular staples to pose as handrails in the ailes.

     When the entire first level was finished, I began the cement pouring on the event level. I chose to do this at this stage, because there was less material that could accidentally get damaged. I used regular cement that was mixed with water before hand. I used cement because it would make it look more realistic to what it should be.

     The next major stage of construction was to build to grand concourse. I began with glueing wooden sticks around the area in which the structure would sit on. This was done so that the concourse would have support. After I made a carboard template of the shape needed, I continued with cutting hundreds of 1 inch square tiles. Once the concourse ws completed, I constructed numerous concessions varying from the Fire Lounge, restrooms, and Taste of Newark restaurants.

     About 3 weeks into construction, I started making suite level one, along with the restaurant and goal bar. All of the suites in my model are just how they were made in the big thing; three rows of open seating, along with a table and bar. According to the Prudential Center, these luxury boxes are some of the biggest in the world.

     The restaurant and goal bar were built around the same time in my model. They are parrallel to each other and both feature special club seating. In the restaurant, there are several tables that overlook the practice rink through six windows. The goal bar is complete with an actual bar, televisions, tables, and also the pre/post game location for Steve Cangialosi and Ken Daneyko. This unique feature includes an extremely small table complete with 2 chairs and a camera. Similarily, I made the actual game location for Mike "Doc" Emrick and Glenn "Chico" resch. Oh and Chico, I made your seat just a bit higher, how you prefer it.

     Furthurmore, I began with the fabrication of suite level two. This was built the same way as suite level one, except for less boxes, just as it is in the real Prudential Center. In my model, there are a total of 68 luxury suites. Once complete, I began constructing the second seating level behind each of the goals. Just as level one was built, level two includes actual seats. After that was finished, the upper concourse was made complete with an escalator and additional concessions.

     Next, the rest of the upper level seating was built. This included sections 125-134, 108-115, 225-233, and 208-216. This was the final step in completing all seating. After that, I began making the press/media box located high above sections 225-233, and the action.

     By this stage in construction, the interior was complete. Now, I had to begin making the outside portion. I made this part with four seperate sections that would be glued on. The first section I made was the Lafayette St. side, excluding the practice facility. The wall includes thousands of hand drawn bricks. The next section I made was the Mulberry St. side. This section features an impressive mix of glass and brick along with a phony 44 square inch L-E-D video screen. On the screen at the real Prudential Center, the picture is constantly changing as it is showing various advertisements, so I chose to feature a Prudential Financial endorsement.

     The next section I made was the Edison Pl. side. It includes a convex wall of glass in which you can look inside through the goal bar and into the arena. Nine wooden beams set vertically anchor the section to the arena. On the side, street level, is the box office and Devils Den Team Store.

     The final section in completing all four exterior walls, was the broad st. side. Just like every other section, it includes hundreds upon hundreds of hand drawn bricks to give it the realistic look. This entire wall is only attatched at one side so the it can open like a door. I made it this way because I now use that area of the arena for storage.

     Next, I started the two entry cylinders. The first thing I did during this process was fabricate a template for which the cylinders would be built around. They both feature glass, appropriate advertisements, and miniature baricades on the floor.

     After that, I began making the arena signage. I designed the text "Prudential Center" on a computer which was then printed. Each of the four signs had to be precisionly cut out and then glued onto the exterior.

     The next step towards finalization was to construct the adjacent practice facility. This entire area includes a practice rink, with dual team offices on either side. The first building I made was the practice rink, which includes an entire rink complete with benches and goals, as well as two scoreboards. The team office building nearest to Broad St. is almost as tall as the arena itself and can be temporarily removed to view the practice locker room and training area.

     Continuing progress, I began making the roof. This part of the project was probably the hardest because of the amount of work and detail included. After I constructed the cardboard part of it, I installed beams to reinforce it and painted the entire inside a dark gray to resemble steel. Then I began to make the outside portion of the roof which features the Prudential logo along with a gigantic rock. The roof has two cut-outs which can be removed, along with the entire roof, to view the interior.

     Next was the inside of the roof. The Stanley Cup banners as well as various others all hang from the rafters with great pride. The Jumbotron in my model is dwarfed by that of the real thing. I started putting it together by cutting carefully measured pieces of cardboard. Once the basic shape was formed, I began designing what I wanted to go on it. After that was finished, I made the additional Prudential Center logos that sit atop the structure on either side. The entire scoreboard in my model is exactly how it is in the actual arena.

     The next step was focused on the event level. I hadn't done any major work on this portion in about 4 months. I started making the retractable stands which, once complete, would outline the shape of the rink. These seats are the most expensive in the house, and are removed when converting it from hockey to basketball.

     With completion right around the corner, the most exciting part of the project was at forehand; the rink. This started with the making of a template. Then, I designed exactly how the rink would look like on a computer with program called microsoft paint. All of the logos and lines are exact and precisionly sized. Next, I started constructing the boards and glass. There are two doors that open and close, on either bench. I included all of the up to date advertisements on the boards.

     Constructing the netting atop the glass was the another step in finishing the rink. For this, I used a window screen, which works good. A couple of goals at each end gives it the finishing touch.

     At this point, construction was finished and the electical phase begun. With the help of my father, lights were installed throughout the interior, concourses, and entry cylinders. I have three seperate switches to control the lights.

     Along with lighting, the arena includes audio speakers. They are seductively hidden throughout the upper concourse so that the sound will travel to the interior. They include an output jack that can be connected to an ipod, mp3 player, psp, etc. The speakers are controlled by a volume button.

     By now, construction of the arena was finally finished. As you can see, this model of the Prudential Center took months of hard work and persistance. This model is by far my best one yet. It has fulfilled all of my personal expectations and much more. While the pictures can depict what it looks like, there is no substitute to seeing the arena in person.