Irish architect turns office tool into children’s toy

A posh Lego or a magical Meccano? The wonder of Arckit, a modelling system invented by Irish architect Damien Murtagh, is that it is more than the sum of its parts.

What started as a professional tools for architects and designers is now on sale as a children’s toy.

“I developed Arckit as a professional tool for architects,” said Mr Murtagh. “However, I always believed that by removing the difficulties associated with traditional model making — measuring, cutting, gluing, and sticking — it had the potential to open up advanced model making to everyone.”

At the launch of the product last year he saw children as young as 9 make wonderful models for hours and then beg their parents to buy them a kit.

“I realised then how captivated they were by the system and how it could have a wider application in the toy sector,” he said.

A set of over 200 pieces, including modules to represent walls, windows, and furniture, is now available to buy in Ireland, Britain, and the US, andit is also available online at Amazon.

Arckit has seen sales rise dramatically in the past month as people begin Christmas shopping.

Arckit was developed by Mr Murtagh as a way to show his clients physical models rather than computer generated 3D models.

The kit is now a popular gift for budding young architects and children aged 10 upwards who love designing, constructing, and playing with model buildings.

“We’ve seen the popularity of Arckit steadily grow since we launched just 17 months ago and the increased demand in recent weeks has taken us by surprise,” said Mr Murtagh.

“It’s a great product for older children — it allows them to be creative and is a big step up from other modelling toys. The design possibilities are endless.”