Brothers Gavin and Robert Paisley spent a decade running a small software development company before becoming 3D printers in 2011, and founding Chisel & Mouse.

“A passion for architecture and the desire to make something physical spurred us into a career change,” they say.

When asked to name their favourite piece, they are quick to name Bankside Power Station. “It will always have a special place in our hearts, as it was the first model we created.”

If others want to follow in their footsteps, and work with 3D models, the brothers have plenty of advice, which includes: “Go for it. Seek advice, but be careful as everyone has an opinion. Don’t get downhearted if others don’t initially get what you are doing. Lots of people want your money – be careful how you spend it, and avoid fixed costs for as long as possible. Keep re-evaluating what you are doing and how you are doing it. If it isn’t making you happy, stop, and do something else.”

Fortuitously, having such a close relationship with one another is what provides the pair with their greatest source of inspiration. “We’ve also chosen a subject matter that is mind-blowing in its diversity, which helps.”

Robert has always worked from home, which was in London for 10 years, Brighton for eight, and he’s now been in West Sussex for two years. Gavin has travelled a bit more, having worked in Madrid, Paris and Istanbul, before settling in London, and then East Sussex.

Sussex features in much of their work: “We produce a model of the Regency Town House and have a number of other buildings we would like to model in the area. The Royal Pavilion, De La Warr, Petworth House, Brighton Pier, Shoreham Airport – the list goes on and on…”

But they say it’s not only the buildings that make Sussex such a great place to work. “We also make all of our important business decisions whilst walking the dogs in the Ashdown Forest or on the South Downs.”

Gavin and Robert love taking on commissions, asking for images and drawings where possible, which they will work from in their studio, “in a truly magical location in the Ashdown Forest…countryside, walks, trees, dogs and the family all around us…it doesn’t get much better.”

Their exhibitions next year are at Clerkenwell Design Festival, Maison et Objet, NYNOW, Tent London and the American Alliance of Museums.

For more information or to talk about a commission, call 01273 251335, or go to www.chiselandmouse.co.uk