Need help on how to start a Mordheim Table

Well, I am inspired to make a Mordheim table. I've looked around the net, and found plenty of inspiration. I want to actually do a good job on this, and not make it look like crap. Here are two boards I really like.

http://www.terragenesis.co.uk/infopages/page260.html

http://gidian-gelaende.de/Material_HP/Wolfgang/Mortheim/album/index.html

So there are the two pieces I'm using for my inspiration. Ideally I'd like to make a board that is a combination of the two. I want a board that is flat, and very gaming friendly. However, I would like my buildings and features to be diverse, and modular. I think I can pull it off, as long as I can get the supplies I need. So that's why I'm asking for some advice here. This is what I'd need to know:

How easy is it to use Hirst Arts molds? The molds I am thinking of getting first are the cobblestone floor, simple blocks, wood planks, and wood roof shingles. That would help me make a basic house. I'd building the foundation up with bricks, then use foamcore for the upper parts. Use the wood planks for the floors, and for supporting planks. Then the roof would be made with the molds. For those particular pieces, do you think it would be wise to invest in more of the same molds, to speed up the process?

Also, speaking of buildings, how open do you want them to be? Although ruined buildings with stepped floors look cool, I don't want all my buildings to look like that. If you have intact buildings, should they offer a removable roof so you can put figures inside? This is more of a gaming question I guess. Do you think it adds more to the game to have pieces of scenery that are removable (like a house that you can put figures inside), or does it slow things down?

Also, what are some tips to keep things modular? First I am going to start with a 4'x4' table. I'll build 4 parts in 2'x2' sections. Should I mount them on plywood or something? Then could I use the pink or blue foam on top to build it up you think? I'm not looking to make a river yet, but maybe I'll make the terrain higher to account for it if I do one down the line.

That's all I can think of right now. I don't want to get too in over my head (although I already am). My first order of business is just to put together 4 2'x2' sections of ground. For that I'll need the molds. After that, a few houses. And after that, the details. Finally a river with resin.

The Hirst molds are great to use but can be time consuming to do all the casting. I prefer to use balsa wood over the wood plank mold. All that plaster will make it very heavy. And balsa is easier to work with.

I like open buildings. For me having even 1 or 2 undamaged buildings doesn't look quite right on a ruined city table. Plus having the buildings modular slows the game down and adds potential for damage. So I stay away from modular and make damage in the buildings big enough for hands and minis to fit.

Hope that helps.

I know for Warhammer 40k, they say that the ruined buildings should be in increments of 3" for the floors. Do you think that is a good standard for Mordheim? Also, what do you think is a good footprint of a building? I think around 6" square is pretty decent. Any more, then it gets too deep in the back for hiding figures.

I make my floors around 3" high that seems to work great. Ogres with great weapons have trouble fitting though The footprint of your building can be any shape or size. Just make sure there is enough room to fit your hand with a mini in it. I have a building with a 3" square room that no one ever goes into because I didn't make the hole big enough ah well, learning experience.

You, sir, are a very ambitious modeler - and I salute you for it!

I think the best person to go to for advice on this would be Boreas NL - his table on this forum is excellent and he used Hirst Arts molds for most of his table and the lower levels of his buildings just as you described (and put tiny hinges on his doors/windows!). It looks stunning.

As Ash pointed out, though, it is very time consuming AND the plaster can be very heavy, so make sure the table is very sturdy. I should also point out how awesome Ash's stuff is - I was hugely impressed with the overall effect he achieved.

I look forward to seeing your progress!