1. Introduction

This 3D-printed model is designed and produced based on a landmark building in Qingdao, China—the Former Site of the Qingdao Observatory Office, located atop Guanxiang Mountain. Construction of the building began in 1905 during the German occupation and was completed in 1912. Its distinctive medieval European castle style, combined with its granite masonry walls and red roofs tiled with “ox-tongue” tiles, has made it a gem in the history of modern meteorology and astronomy in Qingdao’s Shinan District and throughout China. It was once renowned as one of the “Three Great Observatories of the Far East,” alongside the Xujiahui Observatory in Shanghai and the Hong Kong Observatory, and its astronomical dome, known as “Observing Celestial Phenomena from the Dome,” is even listed among Qingdao’s Ten Scenic Spots.

The model faithfully reproduces the building’s iconic tower, main structure, and intricate details characteristic of German architecture, making it an ideal choice for urban souvenirs, architectural model collections, or miniature scene-building projects.

2. Model Features

• Architectural Style: German medieval castle style, with the tower and main building arranged at varying heights.
• Detail Reproduction: (Please describe your model’s specific details here, such as: the textured relief of the granite walls, windows, astronomical dome, and the distinctive “ox-tongue” tile pattern on the roof.)
• Scale: The original design scale is (insert scale, e.g., 1:200); the printed dimensions are approximately (insert post-print dimensions, e.g., XYZ mm).
• Structure: (Optional: either a single-piece, non-assembled model; or a modular design where the tower, main building, roof, and astronomical dome can be printed separately and then assembled.)

3. Printing Tips

• Recommended Materials: PLA or PETG. (If you wish to replicate the red roof and beige walls, we recommend multi-color printing or a segmented printing approach; I have already prepared a 3MF file for multi-color printing using CC2.)
• Layer Height: 0.12 mm to 0.2 mm (a finer layer height is recommended to better capture the texture of the stone walls.)
• Infill: 10% to 20%.
• Supports: (Only required at the eaves of the tower.)
• Printing Orientation: (Print in an upright position.)

4. Notes

If you enjoy this model, please like, save, and share your print results—your support means a great deal to me! If you have any suggestions for improvements, feel free to leave a comment below.