Where do LEGO bricks come from? Why, from the LEGO factory, of course. And in a bit of LEGO-ception, here’s a LEGO factory built of LEGO by BrickJonas. This model looks as if it just came off a designer’s drawing table in Billund, complete with a full interior, removable roofs and modularity. I wonder if this factory produces bricks to build a LEGO factory?
Modern architecture might appear to be the perfect subject for recreating in LEGO. However, many of the angled planes currently in vogue amongst building designers actually make for difficult modelling in bricks. Polar Stein pulls it off in style with this microscale version of an award-winning office complex in New Jersey.
The model is beautifully simple, with excellent lines, much like the building it’s based on. I’m a particular fan of the angled supporting columns at the open corner. Also, at this scale, the use of multiple trans-clear bricks manages to suggest an internal structure. The builder suggests they’re going to have a go at this in minifig-scale. Interesting challenge, and they’ve already set themselves a high bar with this lovely microscale version.
Microscale is challenging in its own right, despite it’s tiny tiny size. Rocco Buttliere is a master of this impressive scale, and we’ve featured his work before, notably with his Houses of Parliament and 40 Wall Street.
This newest addition to his tiny empire is certainly more understated than what we’ve featured before and no less impressive. The Rosenwald Apartments, named after former president of Sears and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, feature lovely landscaping and the tiniest art deco I’ve ever seen. I particularly love the use of the grill tile, held in place presumably by sheer will, that gives the impression of tiny windows. It’s very effective!
Jongno Tower is a unique office building in Seoul designed by architect Rafael Viñoly and completed in 1999. bigcrown85 has faithfully recreated the structure in LEGO, with extensive use of transparent blue bricks. Similarly, the outer structural elements of the building use numerous LEGO struts, demonstrating that repetition is often a key element of achieving a real-world look in a LEGO creation.
Even the trees at ground level use some interesting techniques.
The Palace of Culture and Science is the tallest building in Poland and dominates the skyline of the Polish capital, Warsaw. Łukasz Libuszewski has not only recreated the building in LEGO but has also managed to capture his creation in a beautifully atmospheric photograph.
The building’s art deco style is achieved with clean lines, grille tiles for the tall windows and some lovely detailing using texture bricks. I particularly like the seemingly simple parts used by the builder to represent the decorative masonry atop the walls, the original architect purposefully copied this from Renaissance houses and palaces of Kraków and Zamośćthat – a tile with clip and technic gear rack.
The full sets of photographs and views of the Palace of Culture and Science can be seen on Flickr.
As a minifig-scale creation, this beautiful Medieval church by Croatian builder Franko Komljenovic is relatively small, yet packs in an amazing amount of architectural detail. The variation of roof tile colors and liberal mixing of ‘old’ and ‘new’ grey bricks throughout also give the building a sense of age.
Everyone knows Paul Hetherington is no stranger to phenomenal Batman-themed dioramas. Even so, I was completely blown away by Paul’s latest Batman build. This thing is brimming with clean lines, super-sharp details, and even moving parts! The 1950s Batman logo looks like a sticker rather than LEGO brick and the dual-distanced skyline is simply inspired. The Art Deco theater gives me chills it’s so good. Even the lamp posts look like tiny pieces of art. Seriously, look at a closeup photo and tell me you’re not going to start redecorating your living room in brown, black, and gold today. I know I am!
Paul explained that he modeled his Gotham theater off of the Marbro Theater which used to stand in Chicago. He also posted a terrific video showing all of the amazing power functions. Check it out here:
Check out more photos of this amazingly-detailed build on Flickr.
Here’s proof that you don’t need a lot of colors to build an exciting and dynamic model. Simple grays and white convey the power of the water and the feat of engineering in this vignette of a Russian dam by vir-a-cocha. This model is also notable for its excellent mix of studs and tiles, conveying both industrial realism and naturalistic landscaping simultaneously. I’d love to see an Architecture set like this.
Holy bananas, Batman! monstrophonic has posted this absolutely stunning, detailed, 1966 Wayne Manor. The facade is just gorgeous, with the mottling and detail work. The landscaping is foreboding, with that sweeping angle up to the front of the house.
But wait, there’s more!
Turn it around to reveal an incredibly detailed interior, including what appears to be an awesome upgrade of the official Classic Batcave set. There are bats in the attic, teddy bears by the luxurious bed, and visitors in the formal living room. While there doesn’t appear to be a fire pole or quick means to the batcave, there’s a lovely hidden staircase to sneak around with!
Let’s discuss this batcave. It’s lit, and contains the classic batmobile (which you can find for yourself in 76052 LEGO Batman TV Series Batcave), along with another surprise guest scientist and innovator to help Batman figure out how to make the batmobile and batcopter even better.
It seems that just as LEGO release LEGO Ghostbusters 75827 Firehouse Headquarters, the upcoming Ghostbusters 2016 movie features a new team of ‘ghost busting’ chicks dispatched from a new HQ building. Thankfully Eric Duron has filled the gap with this excellent LEGO rendition of the Chinese restaurant building re-styled for the movie. I love the Chinatown styling especially since Eric has accomplished a great bit of LEGO lettering over the restaurant entrance.
The addition of some ‘ghost busting’ action on the roof is a lovely touch. I can’t explain why my favourite parts are the various air vents over the garage.
There’s a longstanding tradition — especially here on the West Coast of the U.S. — of novelty architecture that often reflects the specific purpose of the building, from teapots to root beer barrels. Andrew Tate has built a lovely bakery in the shape of a toaster, complete with slices of bread popping up. And the coffee stand next door is, naturally, in the shape of a coffee mug. Andrew makes great use of rounded bricks and slopes throughout his scene, which even includes a brick-built street.
Polish builder Rafal P has perfectly captured the largest landmark in Warsaw in microscale, and he managed to incorparate almost every little detail in this relatively small creation. The building is question is the Palace of Culture and Science and it was built in 1955 in a Stalinist manner. Today it is still the tallest building in Poland and the seventh tallest in the European Union at 237 meters (778 feet).
Rafal’s perfect photography creates an atmospheric look, but bright trees and colorful vehicles cheer up the gloomy ambience. The rounded conference room is perfectly represented despite the difficulty of building curved objects with LEGO parts. The clock tower, antenna and rooftop details are amazing. Soviet remnants in architecture have always amazed me and it’s a joy to see them built with LEGO parts.
