As previously reported, a New York-style miniature hotel may soon find its way on a spot on City Road in Southbank. A 31-story tower, designed by Sydney firm Crone Architects, is being proposed in Melbourne amidst a continuous growth in the real estate market.
But before that proposed micro-hotel could turn into a reality, a structure way more "miniature" in nature is already making big waves in Melbourne. According to Domain, Malcolm Maguire and his team has built everything from towers, hospitals, commercial building and communities in plastic miniature models. The Modelcraft workshop team dedicate long hours in their Fitzroy workshop, piecing together in complex models that grace display suites in Melbourne.
Crowds of people adore these ubiquitous miniature crafts during launches or displays. These little scale models give prospects a bird's-eye view of the property they hope to buy in. Many structures have in Melbourne have been given mini versions by Malcom's team. Malcom said, "We've done around 1200 models in the last 17 years. Of those, 1100 were Melbourne projects. So that's a lot of buildings."
It was said that models can take up many weeks to complete and the price is not cheap. According to Domain. The orders for these models that can cost thousands of dollars keep coming for the miniature kings. The orders not only come from architectural firms or developers. Malcom's team has been getting increasing demand from rich people looking to see a small plastic version of their lavish homes.
Malcom kick-started his career in miniature-building industry in London, working for renowned architects like Sir Norman Foster and Richard Rogers. Malcom recalls, "I went there with no experience at all but luckily the company gave me a chance. I told them I could do it and basically I just picked everyone's brains."
He now has his own team of model-makers after years of crafting scale models with his own hands.
