This ambitious project marks my longest build to date and my very first venture into miniature architecture. Clocking in at approximately 470 hours, the work involved not only meticulously planning the building's exterior and color palette but also designing intricate structural elements.
The arcade cabinets, motorcycles, and gashapon machines were all initially purchased as model kits, then meticulously assembled and painted. To achieve an even higher level of realism, I further customized and detailed each piece.
To achieve the authentic texture of the building, I extensively researched various real-world locations for reference, including Ximending, Tamsui, and Taoyuan. I even found myself crawling on sidewalks and peering into manhole covers to capture the most minute details. When it came to the miniature snacks, some items proved impossible to source online, so I dedicated weekends to visiting numerous retro shops, purchasing a wide array of candies and biscuits – a research endeavor that, admittedly, led to some weight gain! For the exterior walls, achieving the desired weathered texture required an intensive process, layering over 10 coats of paint, encompassing base colors, main tones, and intricate weathering effects.
The building itself features clever design elements that allow for direct viewing of both the first and second-floor interiors. The second floor's corrugated iron roof can be partially or fully lifted, offering different display options. To access the first floor's interior, the entire second floor section must be removed.
Perhaps surprisingly, the most time-intensive aspect of the entire diorama was crafting the miniature snacks, biscuits, and instant noodles. While seemingly minor shelf accessories, their sheer volume and intricate details demanded significant time and effort.
To perfectly capture the illuminated interior at night, I specifically conducted photo shoots in the dead of night. Even my standard shots were taken during the late hours, marking the first time I've utilized such an extensive array of photography equipment for a project.
