Foamcore and a rubber car mat

[Malamute]

Inspired stuff. Genius use of the mat.

Now can we have a photo showing all the houses with some figures in situ

[SBRPearce]

A very similar material is also available in home center stores, sold in rolls for stair treads. You know, for anyone who needs enough chinese buildings to replay the seige of the Legation Quarter in Peking in a 1:1 representation!

[Svennn]

With regard the paint. I cleaned the rubber - a lot, and then just used black emulsion as an undercoat. Hopefully as they are glued in place and will not be flexing it will not crack - no signs of degredation so far.