Even though libraries are some of the quietest places, this LEGO library by Łukasz Libuszewski screams with style and massive architectural innovations. Technically speaking there are several things that make this small build so hugely attractive. First of all, it’s Łukasz’s unique choice of scale. It’s not a microscale building, yet it’s too small for a regular minifigure, but its exterior perfectly balances the blocky ledges of its roof and many transparent glass elements. Secondly, the main photo of the build is a fine example of a good presentation; a low angle makes the model look much taller than it really is.
Finally, it’s so hard to say why both parts of the building go so well with each other. The left side is rather strict and simple, while the right side is all about architectural experiments with building materials and shapes. It’s probably the combination of these elements that makes this library a pure delight.
Tag Archives: Architecture
Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York in LEGO microscale
If you walk along Front West Street in downtown Toronto, Ontario you will see the impressive Fairmont Royal York Hotel. On June 11, 1929, the hotel officially opened. The Royal York changed names and ownership a few times since its humble beginnings as the Ontario Terrace, which consisted of four brick houses, in 1843. Jeff Van Winden has captured the architectural essence of the hotel in LEGO microscale. The sense of scale is emphasised with the busting street below with adorable little microscale vehicles.
I particular like Jeff’s clever solution to the intricate arched windows on the three main blocks at the front with this upturned minifigure basketball stand. Just be sure to book early if the Royal Family are in town, Queen Elizabeth usually has an entire floor reserved for her and her entourage and occupies the Royal Suite herself.
Take your rest at this small, stone Gothic chapel
This lovely little chapel comes to us from Lego_fan. Don’t let the small size fool you; there is a lot to love about the build. Many chapels we feature tend to skew more toward the cathedral end of things, so it’s refreshing to see a smaller build that’s so effective.
The main stained glass window stands out for me, with the great texture and use of the Technic pulley piece. The building’s sides avoid the “big grey wall” syndrome easily with tiles, profile bricks, and nice shaping.
The back is equally pretty, continuing the patterns that make this a striking little building. I like the way the lines draw the eye up and really make this little chapel look bigger than it really is.
Towering over LEGO micropolis
The challenge of building microscale architecture is about two things — limited size and limited number of pieces which work best as walls, windows and other structural elements. And when you finally reach a perfect balance of scale and elaboration, you have to put some truly extraordinary touches to make your build stand above any other creation. Emil Lidé explores some uncommon shapes and combines sharp and curved corners in his latest microscale tower. What makes this skyscraper truly spectacular is those tiny trees on different levels. They give a perfect sence of scale and remind us about Emil’s talent for building tiny trees.
Home is where the heart is
LEGO builder ~J6Crash~ designed this model of his parents’ home and presented it to them as a Christmas gift. An impressive miniature representation of their Vermont home, the creation took a summer to design with Lego Digital Designer and support from a brother to help fund.
The building looks marvelous with its dark orange coloring and dark roof (painted only for authenticity to the original), lovely pool, manicured gardens and large deck, and looks like it belongs on the cover of House & Garden magazine. Assembled from around 5,000 parts and measuring 17.5 in x 15.5 in x 8 in (44.7 cm x 39.1 cm x 20.5 cm), it works out to around 1 stud for every 2 feet. The builder notes their parents really enjoy it — now they just need to figure out where to put it.
January 2017 LEGO sets available now, including Assembly Square, Adventure Time [News]
Happy New Year! To start your 2017 off right, pick up some new LEGO for yourself. The January 2017 LEGO sets are now available in stores and online starting today, and we’ve picked a few that we think our readers will be interested in, from LEGO Batman to the new Assembly Square. We’ve already reviewed many of these sets, and we’ll be reviewing more in the coming days and weeks.
10255 Assembly Square (Review)| $279.99 USD | The LEGO Shop
21308 Ideas Adventure Time (Review)| $49.99 USD | The LEGO Shop | Amazon
See more January 2017 LEGO sets available now
Miniature Lund Cathedral has no shortage of detail
Micro builder Emil Lidé once again displays his mastery of the miniature with his wonderfully detailed recreation of Lund Cathedral, home of the Church of Sweden. Like his other miniature builds (check out his Avalonian Countryside we previously blogged), this cathedral features a number of delightful techniques to get the most detail in such a limited and challenging scale.
The use of masonry profile bricks for the church grounds and grill plates to achieve the windows are particularly nice touches. The landscape is quite detailed given the scale, and I’m happy to see those fantastic trees again. If you’re wondering how Emil was able to build such an accurate model of the cathedral, the answer is simple: he just had to walk down the street, since Lund is his home town.
Red Relativity
We’ve featured several LEGO versions of Relativity over the years, including a traditional staircase scene with great lighting and even a Star Wars version of M.C. Escher’s famous lithograph. But we’ve never seen a version quite like Lårs Kumpfert‘s monochromatic one.
By using only red pieces and intricate Gothic designs, Lårs created a creepy, gravity-defying LEGO scene that would be right at place in a Guillermo del Toro movie.
1:650 scale LEGO Burj Khalifa stands over 4 feet tall
After 3 months of design work and building, Yubnub presents an impressive scale replica of Burj Khalifa in Dubai (currently the tallest structure in the world). Lots of cheese slopes — over 4,000, in fact — make the unusual Y shape of the structure come to life in bricks.
Though the skyscraper itself is impressive and definitely the highlight of the build, the detailed ground level surrounding the tower is also notable.
A slice of architectural history
eyescream54 certainly has an eye for mid-century modern architecture — this beauty looks like it belongs in Beverly Hills during Hollywood’s Golden Era. The decorative tile work adorning the front of this delightful home is exquisite. The builder has used different shapes and angles, contrasting each other and coming together splendidly. I like the little details like the light above the front door, the air conditioning unit on the finely crafted roof, and the shrub with the purple flowers.
The real surprises are around the back, where the house shows off its sharp lines and beautiful design. An interior is visible through the large ranch-style sliding doors leading out to a private pool and garden patio. Conjuring imagery of glamorous parties and fancy soirées, it’s not hard to imagine Marilyn Monroe, JFK, and Frank Sinatra living it up at a place like this.
The best creations are those that tell a story
Building with LEGO is all about self-expression and exercising one’s imagination, but creations that tell real-life stories have always compelled my attention. Jeffrey Kong‘s stationery holder and drawer unit is not just a nice decoration for an office desk. In fact it is a tiny copy of the Old National Library of Singapore, which was demolished in 2004. According to the build’s description, the National Library building was one of the symbols of the city, especially popular among students. I love the symbolism of this work, and its neat clean style makes it a brilliant remembrance.
In love of home, the love of country has its rise
This beautiful digital rendering of a Victorian dream home by buggyirk is something straight out of a Dickensian novel. Stunning stained-glass windows and lively gardens draw your eyes into this delicately decorated delight, a weather vane is perched atop the pointed roof of the tower, which complements the multi-gabled roof and lovely designs under the eaves.
Inside is where this model really shines, with masterfully styled Victorian furniture including a grandfather clock, bed, bookcase with candles, baby crib, fireplace and chandelier — each on its own enough to make me want to move in, but that incredible staircase is the icing on the cake. Like many homes, its heart is in the dining room where Mother, Father and Junior enjoy a happy brick-tricious meal together. I have never wanted to own a Victorian home so badly before today.
