Mahan Rasouli

Transportation Designer

Product Designer

Concept Designer

Industrial Designer

Mahan Rasouli

Transportation Designer

Product Designer

Concept Designer

Industrial Designer

Small Garage Diorama – A Miniature World of Automotive Passion – “Where Legends Rest and Dreams Are Built”

  • Created By: Mahan Rasouli
  • Date: 5/11/2023
  • Client: Personal Project
  • Categories: CGI

Introduction: The Heart of Automotive Passion

Garages are more than just spaces for storage or maintenance—they are sanctuaries for automotive enthusiasts, a place where dreams are realized and legends are restored. The Small Garage Diorama project captures the essence of this hidden world—a miniature space where every tool, every part, and every speck of dust tells a story of passion, dedication, and motorsports heritage. In this project, the humble garage is not just a backdrop; it’s a character in its own right, housing a McLaren legend and the tools needed to bring automotive dreams to life.

Project Overview: A Tribute to the Garage as a Sanctuary

  • Project Title: Small Garage Diorama – A Miniature World of Automotive Passion – “Where Legends Rest and Dreams Are Built”

  • Design Inspiration: The project was inspired by the cluttered, functional spaces where mechanics, hobbyists, and car enthusiasts bring their vehicles to life. The inclusion of a McLaren icon elevates the diorama, turning the garage into more than just a workshop but a shrine to motorsports.

  • Key Features:

    • Authentic Clutter: The garage is filled with a variety of tools, car parts, and accessories, creating a lived-in atmosphere.

    • McLaren Legacy: A McLaren legend stands at the center, symbolizing the connection between passion and engineering excellence.

    • Hyper-Realistic Textures: The diorama is meticulously detailed with rusted tools, grease stains, dust, and weathered surfaces, capturing the heart of what makes garages feel alive.

Project Breakdown: Bringing the Small Garage Diorama to Life

1. Cluttered Workbench & Tools: Authenticity at Every Angle

A garage is a working space, and nothing says authenticity like the tools and parts scattered across the floor and workbench. In this project, the goal was to capture the essence of functional clutter—tools not neatly arranged but in constant use.

  • Workbench Details: The workbench is cluttered with wrenches, oil cans, screwdrivers, and scattered parts. Each tool is carefully modeled to reflect its wear, with oil stains and scratch marks showing the signs of frequent use.

  • Car Parts & Pieces: A variety of engine components, tires, and body panels are visible, providing the sense of an ongoing project or restoration. The scene hints at the idea of a mechanic’s passion for tinkering, perfecting, and improving the cars in their care.

  • Realistic Textures: Every surface in the garage has been modeled with textural precision. The wooden workbench, rusty nails, and scratched metal are all designed to evoke a sense of realism that makes the garage feel like it’s truly lived in.

2. The McLaren Legend: A Timeless Symbol of Motorsports Excellence

In the center of the garage, a McLaren icon rests as a tribute to one of the most revered names in motorsports history. The inclusion of this legendary car transforms the garage from a simple workspace to a shrine of automotive passion. It’s not just a car; it’s a symbol of engineering excellence, speed, and legacy.

  • Symbol of Legacy: The McLaren car—whether it’s a historic F1 car or a modern supercar—represents the apex of motorsport engineering. Its presence in the diorama reinforces the idea that this garage is no ordinary one. It’s a place where iconic cars are not just restored but celebrated.

  • Subtle Detail: The McLaren vehicle is modeled with hyper-realistic attention to detail, including features like carbon fiber texture, metallic paint, and unique design accents. This level of detail ensures the car doesn’t just sit in the background; it takes center stage as the heart of the project.

3. Lifelike Materials & Textures: Realism in Every Inch

The secret to making this diorama feel real lies in the materials and textures that bring it to life. From the grease-stained floor to the rusted toolboxes, every detail is carefully designed to capture the essence of a working garage.

  • Grease-Stained Floor: The flooring in the garage is weathered, with visible grease stains, dirt, and oil tracks from past projects. The floor is designed to reflect the reality of a mechanic’s workspace, where dirt and grime accumulate over time.

  • Rust & Decay on Tools: The tools and toolboxes are not shiny and new but worn from years of use. The rusted metal, scratched surfaces, and faded colors evoke a sense of history and time.

  • Dust & Aging: Dust has settled on various surfaces, from the workbench to the McLaren car itself, giving the sense that this garage is in a moment frozen in time. The aging process adds to the authentic atmosphere, showing that this garage is a place of purpose rather than a pristine showroom.

The Impact: A Love Letter to Car Enthusiasts and DIY Culture

The Small Garage Diorama is more than just a 3D project—it’s a celebration of the spirit that drives automotive enthusiasts and mechanics alike. It captures the feeling of a garage space where car enthusiasts can pour their sweat and passion into their favorite cars, building and restoring them with love and care.

  • A Space for Dreams: Garages are more than just practical spaces—they’re places where dreams are made. For many enthusiasts, it’s the garage that transforms a car into a legend. This diorama beautifully captures the essence of what makes these spaces so special.

  • Celebrating the McLaren Legacy: By including a McLaren in this space, the project honors the timelessness of the brand and the importance of motorsport heritage. It reminds us that every car restoration or modification is more than just a job—it’s a piece of history in the making.

A Timeless Snapshot of Automotive Passion

The Small Garage Diorama is a labor of love that brings together the worlds of automotive passion, car culture, and art. It invites viewers into a miniature world where legends rest and dreams are built, capturing the spirit of motorsports and the DIY ethos that defines car enthusiasts worldwide. This project is not just a space—it’s a testament to the people who devote their lives to preserving and celebrating the history of cars, one restoration at a time.

Result: