Fast forward to the l990's when die-cast cars were starting to be offered and I had changed jobs from Advertising to Architectural Model making, yet again, a perfect marriage.

The thought of displaying my cars behind glass cabinets seemed "not quite right", so I decided to give them something to stand in front of.

My first attempt at a structure, that would be as detailed as the die-cast vehicles and also put them in context, was a beat up garage kit I found from a large-scale electric train. [LGB] The interior was non-existent. I did research on garages that you would find in small towns, coupled with memories from growing up in Pittsburgh. Over a period of months, the model started to obtain a personality. I would always ask myself, while working on it: Who worked here? Who would frequent this type of place?

What decade would it represent?

These types of questions proved to be very valuable as I moved on to other structures. The actual construction of the buildings and the details of the interiors, were just physical skills that I honed over time. But what gave life to them was an implied history that came about through research and memories.

I purchased an inexpensive digital camera to record the progress. Working with a 75-watt bulb, and sometimes sunlight, various lighting effects were accomplished, which you can see in the photos accompanying this article.

At one point, I created a "what if" Chrysler Turbine Car Showroom. It featured the Promo and model kit I received when the real automobile was displayed at the Northway Mall back in 1963. [That Diorama is now featured at Mark Olson's Chrysler Turbine web site.]

Over a period of 10 years, 15 buildings were built. There are more in the works: A 1940's Florida motel, drive-in theater, TV station with complete interior, trailer park, Lustron enameled steel home from the late 40's, 1920's bungalow with interior and a appliance store from the late 50's, to name a few.

My fantasy is to have a patron who says: "Build me a whole town and don't stop until you’re too old to work." [Room and board and spending money is included in this fantasy]

As for the materials used in the structures; Gator board [resin coated paper] for walls. Styrene plastic, sintra [light density plastic that can be cut, carved and sanded], basswood [stronger than balsa and has a very tight grain that is in scale with the buildings], Krylon and Rustolium spray-paint from the hardware, and tons of found objects.

Straight pins make great knobs and hinges. Craft store supplies for bracelets and necklaces make wonderful lighting fixtures and details for machinery.

Aluminum tubing is essential for everything from lampposts to chair legs. Old magazines and catalogs have great ads that can be Xeroxed for signs and ephemera.

Plus raiding the "parts box" from all the plastic models I've built in the last 30 years.

A table saw, small drill press, and the trusty X-acto knife are my only tools. Each structure takes about 2 months, due to the fact that I have only evenings and the weekends to work on them.

I hope you enjoy what I have been creating.

Many Thanks,
Michael Paul Smith

We at JSS Software are happy to share Michael's talent with you. By clicking on the page numbers below you may view Michael's fascinating work first hand. To view larger images simply click on the image to open it in a larger pane.

If you have any questions on these dioramas or about creating your own, please post them on our forum. Michael will be happy to answer your questions as time permits.

Enjoy!