Tag Archives: Jakob Escher

Majestic Mayan Temple of Kukulcán towers in LEGO

The Temple of Kukulcán, dubbed El Castillo by the Spanish, is the heart of the Mayan city Chichén Itzá, now a UNESCO Heritage site and Mexico’s most visited archaeological attraction. Jakob Escher, no stranger to large-scale LEGO building ambitions, took on the challenge of constructing the sacred site at minifig scale. Jakob painstakingly recreates the 365 steps spread across the four sides, flanked by the toothy maws of Kukulcán. The massive model impressed visitors at the recent Paredes de Coura Fan Weekend in Portugal, captured here along with many other impressive creations from international builders.

Kukulcán ("El Castillo")

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A mathematical work of art from Escher (no, not that one)

If I say “Check out this twisty building by Escher”, you’ll probably picture upside-down stairs and ceilings that turn into floors. But MC Escher didn’t build with LEGO bricks (probably). Instead, I’m talking about Jakob Escher. Now I don’t know that the inside of this building doesn’t have staircases that lead only to themselves, but I do know that I would love to live here! This is the latest in a series of builds in Jakob’s own galaxy far, far away. There are hints of Star Wars here – Kamino and Endor spring to mind – but also some real-world inspiration, and heaps of creativity. The colours in particular remind me of Oriental architecture. The geometry is what really gives this the wow factor though; circular living quarters connected by trapezoidal corridors. MC Escher was renowned for his use of mathematics in his artwork… I think this creation would definitely have piqued his interest!

Life in a galaxy far away

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