The Concentrator at Britannia Mine is one of the most remarkable surviving structures from Canada’s industrial and mining history. Its towering design, multiple levels and complex interior reflect the enormous scale of the copper-mining operation that once surrounded Britannia Beach.
Exploring the Mill in 3D
A 3D model provides a different perspective on the architecture of the historic Mill. It helps illustrate how the building was organized and how its numerous floors, platforms, stairways and industrial spaces were connected.
The original interactive tour allowed visitors to move virtually through the structure while learning about the people, machinery and stories associated with the Concentrator.
The SketchUp Model
A conceptual 3D model of the Concentrator was also created using SketchUp. The model documented the overall form and layout of the building and offered another way to examine its distinctive industrial architecture.
Although the software and technologies originally used for these interactive experiences have changed over time, the surviving digital models remain an interesting record of efforts to document and preserve the Mill.
Preserving Britannia in Three Dimensions
Digital reconstruction provides an important way to study historic industrial sites. For the Concentrator, 3D modelling helps preserve details of a building that played a central role in the history of Britannia Mine.
Together with photographs, blueprints and archival records, these models provide another perspective on the engineering and industrial heritage of Britannia Beach.