"The Ark"
A Heirloom Ark Built For Generations
Private Commission
Multi-Generational Heirloom Play
Custom Ark, Cattle Truck, Low Loader & Road Train Configuration
Build Gallery
A closer look at the details that turn a build into a keepsake and a display piece.
The Brief
An Ark to fit Schleich Animals
Jaime reached out with a simple but meaningful idea:
an Ark her nieces, nephews — and one day, her grandchildren — could play with together.
It needed to:
- Fit Schleich animals
- Encourage imaginative, open-ended play
- Be sturdy enough to last decades
- Feel special — not mass-produced
This wasn’t a toy for one moment in time.
It was a piece she intended to keep, love, and eventually pass on.
The Ark, being loaded with Schleich animals, ready to survive the flood.
Design and Build Scope
An Evolving set with Unique Engineering
Through consultation, the Ark evolved into something far more considered than a standard play piece.
Duncan designed a double-deck Ark with:
- Individual animal pens on each level
- A fold-down front door that doubles as a ramp
- A removable upper deck (roof/lid) to allow full interior play
- A precision cut opening allowing giraffe heads to peek through the top — a detail that became a favourite
To ensure the Ark could be easily moved and played with, we added:
- Integrated wheels beneath the Ark
- A reinforced tow point
- As the build progressed, Jaime asked if the Ark could be transported.That question sparked the next evolution.
Top deck of the Ark with Pens and Schleich toy animals.
The Process
Expanding the Build
To tow the Ark, Duncan and Grant engineered a solution that turned the original cattle truck into something more:
- A custom low loader configuration
- Interchangeable towing options
- A setup that allowed the Ark and cattle truck to form a road train
What began as a single Ark became a modular play system, designed to grow over time.
Later additions included:
- A classic Citroën build with working up-and-down suspension
- Additional trailers
- Future plans for a tram, car carrier, and police troop carrier
- We now jokingly refer to her collection as a future Ballard Bear museum.
The Ark being towed by custom dolly behind Low Loader
Personalisation & Detail
Hand Sketched Loving Personalisations
Jaime supplied hand-drawn sketches and personal details, which Grant translated into precise, permanent engravings.
Each element was:
- Digitally refined
- Precisely engraved
- Finished by hand
- Oiled and prepared for long-term durability
The completed Ark and truck set weighed approximately 7kg, reflecting the solid, heirloom nature of the build.
- Nothing about this piece was rushed. Nothing was generic.
Custom Personalisation on Fold Down Ramp Door - Created from Customers Sketch
The Experience
Jaime's Experience
Throughout the build, Jaime received progress updates and videos directly from the workshop.
When the Ark arrived, she filmed herself opening it — a moment she later described as unforgettable.
She placed it on her dining table so it could stay close.
Her daughter — who works in a Steiner kindergarten — immediately recognised the quality and intention behind the design.
The details mattered:
- Opening pen doors
- The ramp concept
- The giraffes peeking through the roof
- The accuracy of the engraving
This was play, elevated to legacy.
- Jaime also received personal Video From Duncan showing her how to construct and use the ark.
Lower deck of the Ark with pens, stairs and Schleich animals.
The Outcome
A Beloved and Treasured Family Keepsake
This build wasn’t designed to impress in a moment.
It was designed to be lived with.
It became:
- A centrepiece in the home
- A shared experience across generations
- A story that continues to grow with every new addition
What began as a gift for children became a marker of memory, care, and continuity.
- That is the difference between a toy and a legacy piece.
Jaimie proudly showing her Ark with her Certificate of Authenticity
Client Testimonial
What Jaime had to say
“I received my very big beautiful Ark today, and I just love it. It’s so amazing and adorable. I’ve put some animals in the Ark — they go perfectly. My daughter works in a Steiner kindergarten and knows good quality toys when she sees them, and she loved it too. We both loved all the details, like the doors opening on the pens and the ramp — that was a genius idea. The engraving is perfect. It makes it so much more special.”
“I’m still in awe of my Ark. It’s sitting on the dining room table so it’s close to me. I just love it. It’s so beautiful and it feels very special. It’s something I’ll be passing on to my grandchildren one day.”
Seeing the Ark Come to Life
These short videos offer a closer look at the craftsmanship behind the Ark, and the moment it arrived in its new home.
Unboxing of The Ark
Watch Jaime's excitement as she unboxes her 7kg Ark!
Ark Walkthrough for the Client
A short walkthrough from Duncan showing how the Ark opens, moves, and is designed to be played with.