Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum – NY

Assembly Instructions

This might appear daunting at first but if you work methodically you will soon have your model assembled. In the instructions that come with the model I recommend PVA (hobby glue), this is the safest glue to use as any mistakes you might make can easily be rectified. For this presentation I have used super glue (cyanoacrylate). If you do choose to use super glue, please be careful.

I will be producing a similar set of instructions using PVA very soon. The principle is similar, you just have the opportunity to drink more tea while you wait for the PVA to cure. Using super glue I find it easier to assemble the parts as illustrated then carefully apply the glue to the rear of the joint while making sure it doesn’t seep through the gaps to your fingers…. please be careful.

Spend a bit of time familiarising yourself with the components before you start. The parts should fit together easily. If any pieces have tabs left on them they may be easily removed using the piece of sandpaper supplied.

I have built this model straight from the box. If you want to make an exceptional model you might want to lightly sand the dark edges, that are a result of the manufacturing process, before you begin.

1
Peel the adhesive backing off the ground plane (2) and carefully align with the base (1).
2
Press firmly together. Position self adhesive feet to the underside of the base.
3
Press part (3) out of part (25).
4
Peel the backing off the bottom of acrylic block (3). Position on ground plane as indicated. Press down firmly
5
Apply glue to the interlocking tabs and along the bottom of part (4) and position in place. Apply glue to the back of the interlocking tabs and along the bottom of part (5) and position in place.
6
Apply glue to the tabs on part (6) and position in place. Apply glue to the rear of the interlocking tabs of part (7) and to the tab that slots into the ground plane, slot into place. If you are using PVA, wipe off any excess glue from the joints with a wet brush and use a rubber band or tape to hold the structure together while the glue cures.
7
Apply glue to the top of the sidewalls and the recesses in the top of the front and rear walls of the annex. Apply glue to the sides of part (8) and position in place. If you are using PVA, wipe off any excess glue and secure with tape while glue cures.
8
Apply glue to bottom edges and tabs of (14) and position in place on the ground plane.
9
Apply glue to bottom edges and tabs of (13) and position in place on the ground plane.
10
Apply glue to bottom edge of part (15) and slot into part (16). If using PVA hold in place with a rubber band or tape while the glue cures.
11
When dry, apply glue to the bottom edge and side of part (15) and to the bottom and ends of part (16). Slot assembly into ground plane.
Apply glue to the notch in part (15( that fits with part (16).
12
Rear view of model as per stage 11.
13
Apply glue to edges of part (17) and top edges of parts (14) and (15) and position part (17) as shown. Hold in place with tape if using PVA.
14
Apply glue to the tabs on part (9) and position in place. Wipe off any excess glue with a wet brush.
15
Apply glue to the tabs on part (10) and position in place.
16
Apply glue to the tabs on part (11) and position in place.
17
Apply glue to the tabs on part (12) and position in place.
18
Peel backing off parts (18) and (19), and position in place on the ground plane. Press into position.
19
Remove part (38) from part (20).
21
Peel backing off part (21). Position one end in the slot of part (20).
22
Gradually bend around acrylic form. You may need a blunt object to poke the end of part (21) into the slot.
23
Peel backing off part (22). Position one end in the slot of part (20).
24
Bend part (22) around the acrylic former as shown and poke into slot of part (20).
26
Peel backing off part (26). Position one end in slot as shown and gradually bend around acrylic form (25). Take care to align the bottom edge of (26) with the bottom of the acrylic. This is easy to achieve if you complete this stage with part (25) on a flat surface. Position other end into slot before sticking down.
25
Repeat this step again with part (27) as shown, starting with slot as illustrated.
Take care to align the bottom edge of (27) with the bottom of the acrylic.
26
Bend part (27) around the acrylic former as shown and poke into slot of part (20).
27
Press part (27) firmly against the acrylic to ensure the adhesive bonds well.
28
Remove parts (23) and (24).
29
Peel backing off the top of part (20).
30
Push parts (23) and (24) into the slots in the top of part (20).
31
Position part (25) over parts (23) and (24).
32
Press firmly into position.
33
Peel backing off the top of part (25).
34
Align part (28) and press firmly into place.
34
It should look like this.
36
Position the assembly from the stage above as shown. Slot the part behind part (11).
37
Pivot into position.
38
Remove assembly.
39
Peel adhesive backing from the bottom of part (20).
40
Reposition and press firmly into place.
41
Peel part (30) – clear decal off backing sheet.
42
Apply around curved section of part (29).
43
Peel part (31) -clear decal off backing sheet and apply to part (29).
44
Remove adhesive backing off the bottom of part (29).
45
Position in place and press down firmly.
46
Remove adhesive backing off the top of part (29).
47
Position part (32)
in place and press down firmly.
48
Peel part (34) – clear decal off the backing sheet.
49
Apply decal around the curved section of part (33).
50
Peel backing off part (35) and apply to part (33).
51
Remove adhesive backing off the base of part (33) and position in place, press down firmly.
52
Remove adhesive backing off the top of part (33).
53
Position part (36) in place and press down firmly.
54
Peel backing off both faces of part (38) and position in place.
55
Peel backing off part (37) and position in place on part (36). Position part (39) in place on top of (38) and press firmly into position.
56
Add part 1… which I forgot to add earlier.
57
Peel backing off parts (43 and 45) and position in place. Press firmly into position.
58
Peel backing off part (40) and position in place. Press firmly into position.
59
Peel backing off part (42) and position in place. Press firmly into position.
60
Peel backing off part (41) and position in place. Press firmly into position.
61
Peel backing off part (42) and position in place. Press firmly into position.
62
Apply glue to the tabs on the bottom of part (46) and slot this into the numbered slots in part (48).
63
Apply glue to the tabs on parts (49), slot these into part (48).
64
Match up the asterix (*) on parts (49) with those on part (48).
65
Match up the asterix (*) on parts (49) with those on part (48).
66
Match up the asterix (*) on parts (49) with those on part (48).
67
Parts (49) with no asterix (*) can fit into any remaining slot.
68
Parts (49) with no asterix (*) can fit into any remaining slot.
69
Parts (49) with no asterix (*) can fit into any remaining slot.
70
Parts (49) with no asterix (*) can fit into any remaining slot.
71
Parts (49) with no asterix (*) can fit into any remaining slot.
72
Parts (49) with no asterix (*) can fit into any remaining slot.
73
Apply glue to the top edges of parts (46), (47) and (49).
74
Locate part (50) over fins and push down into position. Ensure that all fins are located in the slots and finish flush with the top of part (50).
Use rubber bands to hold
structure while the glue cures.
75
Peel backing off part (51) and press firmly into position.
76
Slot the two tabs marked ‘x’ on part (52) into corresponding slots of part (46). Slide tabs up to ensure it is located in position.
77
The bottom edge of part (52) should align with the bottom of part (48) as you wrap it around part (48).
78
Slot tabs ‘y’ into part (47).
79
Slide tabs up and ensure the bottom edge of part (52) is located in position.
80
Check that the bottom edge of (52) aligns with the base of (48). Ease it up to align if required.
81
There are probably lots of ways to do this stage. I have found this way to be the easiest. Peel the straight edge of the decal (52) off the backing paper and position between the 2 triangular marks on the back of part (53). Press into position.
82
Work your way around the decal peeling it off the backing paper.
83
Press the decal ino position as you go.
84
Gently press the assembly out of the frame. There are a couple of tabs holding it in position.
85
Gently work your way around snapping the tabs between the segment. Snap the tabs by gently folding the sections backwards.
86
Turn over component.
87
Gather up the segments to make a cone.
88
Secure the cone together with tab end of part (52).
89
You’re almost done….
90
Return to the assembly from stage
88 and apply glue to the top of part (50) – the darker wood. You can also apply glue to the edges of the protruding fins.
91
Position the cone in place and hold in place while the glue cures.
92
Return to the assembly from stage 64.
93
Slide the spiral assembly into position to check it fits correctly. Remove and peel the backing off part (48). Reposition and press firmly into place. DO NOT PRESS DOWN ON THE ROOF SKYLIGHTS, press down on the flat area around the edge.
There… you’ve finished.
94
Your model should look like this from behind.
95
… and like this…
96
…and this from the side.

I hope these instructions have helped. If you have any feedback that you think might help us make a better product we would like to hear from you. Please go to our contact & feedback page and send us your thoughts. We look forward to hearing from you.