This temple by Dan76 is stunning. I don’t see enough ancient-themed creations and this makes me want more. The statuary, the architecture, the interiors…I could go on and on. You really need to check out all the pictures. It will be well worth your time.
During my wife and my last two trips to Japan, the complex at Kiyomizu-dera has been the first stop after detraining at Kyoto Station so it made me happy to see among Matija Grguric’s excellent series of world landmarks (including Easter Island heads and Great Wall) this colorful pagoda based on the one at Kiyomizu-dera. I’m especially impressed by the contours of red painted woodcarving under the eaves and the tiled angles on the roofs.
If you’re ever at Kyomizu-dera, it’s worth grabbing a snack at the little stand just inside the southwest entrance. Tea, mochi dango and kitsune udon.
UPDATE: 21011 Brandenburg Gate is available now on LEGO.com.
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In a surprising turn of events, the first inkling LEGO fans have gotten of the newly released LEGO Architecture set 21011 Brandenburg Gate was when it showed up on the shelves of the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Manchester, UK.
As much as Frank Lloyd Wright and big American skyscrapers are indeed awesome, it’s nice to see buildings in the line continue to expand beyond the shores of the United States.
UPDATE: The September in-store calendar for LEGO retail outlets highlights this as a September release, so we should be seeing this in more stores within the next month or so.
Mark Larson is delving back into his Fabuland world with this den of dairy delights. I love the design of the house and how Mark managed to work in so many Fabuland elements but still kept it fresh and new. Well played, Mark!
Matija Grguric has built a sweet little mountaintop shrine. You’ve got to the love the roof design and geometric patterns on the walls.
Yaron just posted a really nice build of the Ceasarea Amphitheatre. I really like the archwork on the front facade. Though the builder populated the arena floor with fantasy creatures, this is an ancient Roman amphitheatre in Israel that is still in use today.
UPDATE: 21010 Robie House is now available on LEGO.com.
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The next set to join the LEGO Architecture line is 21010 Robie House. At 2,276 pieces, it is by far the largest set of the series and will cost you $199.99. If you’re in Chicago on August 27, you can get it early by attending the unveiling by the designer Adam Tucker at the actual Robie House on 5757 S. Woodlawn Ave (more info on PrairieMod).
Via FBTB
One of my dearest memories of the summer in 1994 that I spent working on an archaeological dig in Jordan was a weekend trip to Petra. We arrived from Amman late in the evening, but several of my fellow archaeology students couldn’t wait until morning to see the amazing structures carved from the sandstone 2000 years ago, so we snuck across wadi after wadi, avoiding the main paths. Once past the guard posts, we walked through the narrow gorge known as al-Siq — pitch black at night — until the passage opened in front of us to reveal Al Kazhneh, lit only by starlight.
ArzLan built his LEGO version of the Treasury for the Hong Kong Animation Festival, and features Indiana Jones in his Last Crusade visit to this UNESCO Heritage site.
I make no secret of my love for people who build off the grid. This version of Paris in the 1930s cleverly builds to a curve. What’s more impressive is that it’s a collaboration between three builders: LegoManiac (LM), Captain Spaulding and 74louloute for the recent Fanabrique convention. Très bien!
Lolino reaches for the sky with this medieval beauty. I love all the detail on the spires and that bridge is simply lovely.
Jasper Joppe Geers incorporates some beautiful custom Art Deco windows into his design for this two-story building with a complete interior.
Via Klocki.
Gerry Burrows combines science fiction and classical Greek and Roman architecture in this 28′ long colossus called Garrison of Moriah. Its height falls just a few inches short of 8′, only to be limited by the ceiling of the workroom. The idea behind the build has nested in Gerry’s mind for years, but it finally came to being when Gerry bought a new house with a custom-designed room to accommodate the creation, which took 9 months and over 200,000 bricks (thankfully Gerry has an understanding wife). Some of the highlights include a gladiator stadium, a giant waterfall, and a cavernous spaceship hangar.
UPDATE: Gerry has added more pictures to the gallery on Flickr including photos of the finished bridge.