Woman Spends Over 900 Hours Building Excruciatingly Accurate “Love Island USA ”Villa Replica After Going Down TV Rabbit Hole (Exclusive)

Caitlin Schanzenbach, an engineer hailing from Salt Lake City, has embarked on an ambitious journey to create a 1:48 scale model of the ‘Love Island USA’ villa. Utilising innovative techniques and a variety of materials, the project has captivated audiences, particularly through her viral TikTok videos.

Schanzenbach’s fascination with crafting dates back to her childhood, where she engaged in sewing, knitting, and various creative pursuits. A long-time admirer of miniatures, it was not until she became a fan of the reality dating show during its seventh season that she found a worthy project to dive into. While many viewers fixated on the interpersonal drama, Schanzenbach’s attention was drawn to the villa’s architectural detail, igniting a passionate desire within her to replicate the setting.

The turning point came when Schanzenbach realised the villa was well-documented on camera, allowing for a comprehensive reconstruction. She recalls thinking, “This location is so well documented that someone could recreate this set if they wanted to.” With access to translucent architectural panels through her job, she was well-equipped to start the project, which has now engulfed over 900 hours and cost approximately $250 to date.

Currently, the miniature villa is about 4 feet by 2 feet in size and is situated in both her craft room and her guest room, depending on her level of activity in the build. The creative process has transformed her home into a crafting workshop, with materials like Shrinky Dinks and balsa wood scattered throughout her living spaces. Schanzenbach has received unwavering support from her husband throughout this artistic endeavor.

Crafting the villa has presented many challenges, with the bulk of her effort directed towards extensive research. She estimates that ten hours of research precedes every hour spent on construction. The intricacies of creating the model at such a small scale often send her into deep dives for reference images, as the show’s limited camera angles leave gaps in the information necessary for accuracy.

One particularly revealing moment came when Schanzenbach had to scrap a piece of her model, realising a supposed fence near the fire pit was, in fact, part of a camera track when viewed from above. Such discoveries, while frustrating, are part of her learning curve, and she has embraced the notion that ‘close enough’ can sometimes suffice in her meticulous work.

Schanzenbach relies heavily on screenshots from the show, drone footage, and images shared by cast members to achieve authenticity in her miniature build. Her attention to detail has led her to uncover design discrepancies across seasons—a testament to her deepening investment in the project. For instance, she noted a subtle change in the shape of the pool’s corner between seasons six and seven that only the keenest viewers might recognise.

After months of keeping the project a secret, Schanzenbach began sharing her progress on TikTok, initially expecting a modest reception from a niche audience. Instead, her videos have drawn significant attention, amassing over 400,000 views. This unexpected popularity includes endorsements from figures associated with the show, further fuelling her enthusiasm.

The sense of community that has emerged from her sharing has enhanced her experience, with fellow fans and miniature builders offering valuable tips and encouragement. Receiving support and comments from figures like Ariana Madix, the show’s host, has been particularly gratifying for Schanzenbach.

Through this project, Caitlin Schanzenbach has developed a greater appreciation for the villa’s original creators, particularly Richard Jensen, the set designer. She admires the thoughtful design they achieved, noting it balances aesthetic intrigue while still allowing the show’s narratives to take centre stage.

As her work on the model progresses, she remains uncertain about its final destination. Although she plans to treasure it, the prospect of renovations to match updates in the villa’s decor for future seasons looms large. There are also ambitious plans to recreate Casa Amor, the separate villa featured in the series, providing her yet another opportunity to apply her refined skills and correct earlier mistakes.

For now, Schanzenbach enjoys the journey, continually learning new techniques and enjoying the satisfaction of bringing her vision to life, all while inspiring others along the way.