National Trust - rebuilding the past

Less so its sister building, the great mansion of Downhill, which fell into ruin long before the National Trust took control of the property in the 1980s.

Every year, Downhill and its famous little temple attract thousands of visitors, who all wonder the same thing - what did this once look like?

Staff and students at the Ballymoney campus of the Northern Regional College have come up with some answers. The college runs a multimedia course, which has recreated Downhill in its original glory, using 3D software.

Peter McMullan, the lecturer in charge of the project, said: "Normally, we use 3D software to recreate modern buildings, but we thought, why not give Downhill a go?"

Peter and his students spent a year researching the building, and have virtually rebuilt it from the ground up.

Peter added: "It was a really big house. You don't realise how big until you see the reconstruction. Thanks to 3D technology, we can give a very close impression of what it once looked like."

Peter had a personal reason for taking on the project.

"My grandmother worked at Downhill, where she was a maid," he explained.

Peter and his students have also recreated the interior of the Mussenden Temple, which was built after the mansion in the 1780s as a private library by the eccentric Bishop of Derry and 4th Earl of Bristol, Frederick Hervey - hence, the 'Earl Bishop'. Pater's colleague, Stephen Price, who supervised the research, said: "Although the Temple is much smaller than the mansion, it was more of a challenge, because we have less evidence about what the inside looked like.

"However, by studying period furniture and similar interiors at other stately homes, Peter and his team feel they have made a very good guess. 'This has been great for the students, because it allows them to work on a real-world project."

The National Trust, who opened its archive to help with the project, is hoping to use the 3D model at a future date for improving its interpretation panels throughout the Demesne, creating a guide book for the site, possibly creating a short film to have on display in the Hezlett House reception area and Mussenden Temple.

The Trust will also be using the images in an online capacity, especially on its Facebook fan page, http://www.facebook.com/DownhillNationalTrust.