Hardware magazine ad showing the cityscape outside the main apartment. Built by Robert Courtney and Model Solutions.

Building the Hardware cityscape, view from the main apartment. That’s me in the centre. Photograph collection of Robert Courtney.

View of the cityscape through the window of the main apartment, still under construction. Photograph by Robert Courtney.

The largest cityscape building was directly opposite the main apartment, which meant we had to build fake rooms behind the intentionally grubby windows. It was based on a dystopian version of my old council flat. Photograph by Robert Courtney.

The glazing has been completed on the main apartment windows; we would go through a lot of sugar-glass once the action started. Photograph by Robert Courtney.

Red sky at night, Robot’s delight. View from the main apartment. Photograph by Robert Courtney.

When you get to the back of the cityscape, you just need silhouettes of buildings for the effect. Photograph by Robert Courtney.

Then, finally, at the very back, at the base of the cyclorama, painted by the scenic artist, are the buildings in the distance. Photograph by Robert Courtney.

Finally, the completed cityscape through the main apartment window. Photograph by Robert Courtney.

The cityscape must be believable enough to withstand the loss of dirty windows during action sequences. Photograph by Robert Courtney.