Roman Villas

Recently, I discovered that Channel 4 have got one of my favourite TV shows, Time Team, on their online player, so I've been watching all the series en masse. They seem to have a heavy bias to Roman Britain, in an increasingly desperate search for tessellated pavement, but this has given me a bit of inspiration to commence a project that a certain Mr B has been requesting for around 3 or 4 years or so now...

I wanted to create a Roman Villa in a system that will allow you to add, append and alter the design of your villa, much in the same way that they evolved some 2000 years ago. The beauty of the original Roman design means that the vast majority of the Empire is covered in this system.

We start with the main villa itself, which includes a portico on the front. The back walls are blank, so you can have a bit of security from the local ruffians.

 When you add the large towers (bath house and temple?) to each end you can see how the villa has changed in appearance.

 In the next picture, I've removed the large towers and replaced them with smaller ones, then added the two small store sections to give us a U shaped villa, not unlike the original villa at Lullingstone in Kent.

 We can remove any of the components and totally change the appearance of the complex. This is an L shaped villa utilising a medium store.

 And below, the same with a large store instead.

 I've designed a wall with a gateway to enable you to enclose areas, making courtyards and increasing security and privacy. I've thrown a lick of paint at this one to see how it looks, I'm quite pleased with the results.

 I've also made a separate portico, shown here with the roof removed so you can see the internal detail inside the walkway. All the doors are removable so you can gain free access to the building. The arch window surrounds are supplied with all kits, but are optional for individuality.

We've added the portico onto the back of the villa section, which means that we can create an enclosed courtyard on this side of the villa too.

You can just keep adding sections, creating a rambling giant of a villa if you wish.

Also on the design table is a free standing Roman Temple for your pious Romano Brits to worship in. The covered walkway goes all round the building in the contemporary style.

Please bear in mind that all these buildings are still prototypes and therefore, finalised versions may differ from those seen here. There will be more parts to follow, including walls, a bigger gate, roadside tombs and maybe even a fish pond.

I hope you like these, we hope to have a small selection on display at Fiasco Leeds and Warfare Reading. Comments and feedback is invited...

Mr Warbases.