Figure out the size you want the block to be.  I based mine on 70mm per story and made this one quite narrow, again about 70mm.  I then cut out five pieces of foamboard and glued them into an open box shape.

Next, I cut out another piece of foamboard to use as the base and a series of offcuts to make the main steps.

Once all that was dry I set about with the masonry.  I utilised the trusty method of cutting out brickwork from thin card and gluing it to the edges.  Windows were cut 15mm x 20mm thin card and so was the door with some panelling added.  I thought about using premade windows and doors, but I wanted my building to have a bespoke kind of feel.

I glued some wooden strips round each storey for a little bit of decoration and it helps break up the design and adds some nice shadowing to the outside.

Lastly, I glued some balsa strips round the exposed edges of the foamboard base.  When that was dry I covered it with white glue and scattered sand over the surface.

Now the fun bit.  Cover everything with thinned tile grout using a big old paintbrush .

Leave to dry overnight and then paint it.

I used a very light grey colour and then weathered the building using my old groundwork scheme.  Orange Brown; Desert Yellow and Buff.  Door was painted green and the windows in US Dark Green.  I didn’t elaborate on them as I mentioned earlier I wanted a relatively simple finished to the structure.

That’s it !!  I think simplicity has an effective virtue all of its own.