Here’s a lovely use for a mosaic: use it to build a backdrop to your creation. Bluesecrets did exactly this with her latest build for her local LEGO store community window. (The community window is a small dedicated space in LEGO stores for adult fan clubs to exhibit.) This is a great example of using a mosaic for forced perspective to add depth to a diorama.
Tag Archives: Town
Nécropole Nationale
The Douaumont Ossuary is a war-memorial containing the remains of French and German soldiers who died on the battlefield during the Battle of Verdun in World War I. The monument is located in Douaumont, France, within the confines of the Verdun battlefield itself. French Builder Cyrille (TheBrickAvenger) shrinks the cemetery down to Microscale for this outstanding rendition. Unfortunately, perhaps the most interesting detail of Douaumont Ossuary was left out, a rotating red and white beacon at the top of the tower called “the lantern of the dead” that shines on the battlefield at night. Maybe Cyrille will tackle the structure in minifig scale some time down the road, and include the lantern. Quel hommage exceptionnel fourni aux soldats tombés au combat de la France, bien fait Cyrille!.
I offer my standard disclaimer / apology for my substandard use of the French language, no disrespect is intended.
Small Town Memories
John Stephens (-=Steebles=-) makes his third appearance of the year with a growing micropolis that is more concerned with small town life than big city action. Let’s get small, constant reader and wander around hicksville looking for trouble, or at least a big greasy hamburger at the drive-in.
It is a Corner Cafe, but not as you know it
We don’t feature many modular buildings (or Cafe-Corner Compatible buildings, if you prefer) on this blog any more. After a while they all start to look a bit the same. A few weeks ago, however, I attended a Lowlug meeting and saw the very original models by Christiaan de Roo (aloisvonesterhazy), inspired by Amsterdam. My favourite in his collection is a somewhat older model called “Cafe het Hoekje”, which is Dutch and translates to Corner Cafe. It is built in the very attractive style typical of many 19th century buildings in city centres in the Netherlands, reminiscent of 17th century Dutch architecture.
One thing I don’t like about many modular buildings, including some of the sets, is their overly elaborate decoration in too many or odd colours. I prefer a more restrained look and Christiaan got that just right. There is a variation in the colour of the roof tiles, which adds some extra visual interest, but most of the building is plain brown with white accents. The building also has a full interior with some spectacular tile work on the ground floor. You can enjoy it in all its detail by checking out the full set on flickr.
Get your rotting hands off my African Violet!
Nooreuyed offers a fresh take on the zombie apocalypse with his latest build, The Greenhouse. All too often dioramas in this genre end up looking like little more than catalog photos with aftermarket gun-laden minifigs standing aimlessly in front of generic building facades, so it is very refreshing to see a builder break out of that mold. The scene is very immersive and while busy with details it somehow never becomes cluttered. The rake and garden hose in the foreground are perfect for the setting, as is the lighting. So cheers Nooreuyed now make like Prometheus and bring your gift of fire to the builders over at the Flickr group Lego Scenes before their creativity is snuffed out completely by the conventions of the genre.
Massive LEGO Tow Truck will get you moving!
This monster Peterbuilt tow truck by LEGO truck master Bricksonwheels looks just about big to move anything. It’s loaded up with chrome and neat details and seems equally ready for some serious towing or a bit of showing off at a car show.
Truckin’ Through Poland
TBB travels to Poland, where apparently there are no lousy builders, as we continue our coverage of New Guy Saturday. Adam Glowacki (Jakeof_), has a fine stable of models waiting for you on Flickr, including this excellent DAF XF. TBB’s own Wreck-it-Ralph is a big fan of this model, calling the big-rig “amazingly accurate for its scale” and would surely have blogged it if not for my weekend campaign of terror on this once serene almost pastoral blog of blogs.
Lublin-51 mobile cinema van & Volvo F89 truck by Karwik
You don’t have to go to a theater to enjoy a movie, as Karwik shows with this lovely rounded truck from the days of black & white cinema.
Much more modern and colorful but no less impressive is Karwik’s Volvo F89 semi-trailer, with fantastic lettering on the cargo container:
Pierce Hall
LEGO hipster Dave Kaleta would like to show you his take on a structure that is near and dear to him, the University of Chicago’s Stanley R. Pierce Hall. Designed by architect Harry Weese, the dormitory is slated for demolition in August of this year and Dave was asked to build the model for a University function honoring the campus landmark that was constructed in 1960. For more of Dave’s personal notes and photos of the ceremony you won’t find on Flickr, head over to MOCpages…assuming it is still working.
Although it may not elicit cries of “NPU Brah!”, I think Dave really nailed this one, and there are some nice details to reward the viewer who looks for them.
Visit Oechsnerville & see the sights!
Long-time readers are probably most-familiar with Thomas Oechsner because of his stellar Neo-Classic Space models, but Thomas recently posted a big batch of Micropolis modules.
Thomas used four base modules to assemble this cluster of gorgeous tan skyscrapers. (I’m including some pretty tall pictures in this post so you can get a sense of the sheer height of Thomas’s LEGO buildings.)
This neighborhood of townhouses includes some lush backyards and lovely mottled brickwork.
The antenna atop N. Nielson Center first drew my attention, but scroll down for a wonderful tribute to a great builder.
See dozens more photos on Flickr.
“I can think of no more stirring symbol of man’s humanity to man than a fire engine.”
So said Malachi Constant in Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s “Sirens of Titan“. Malachi would no doubt have been a fan of Alex Jones’s (Orion Pax) latest creation the Seagrave Fire Engine. The model features a number of custom chrome elements, but if you stripped it all away or replaced it with a more purist solution, the model would be no less stunning.
And since it is just after 4:20 here in Vegas, I figured I’d throw in some extra Paxian eye-candy for the stoners out there. Enjoy “Emerald Ivy”
Whoah…dude…don’t bogart the spliff.
The Beauty and the Beast
Remember the Peterbilt big rig built by Jörg (lichtblau)? Perhaps not, but several months ago he built a new version. It is slightly smaller, such that the overall proportions are a better match for how tall minifigures are.
It is a beautifully proportioned model, full of clever details. Take a look at how the roof plates on top of the sleeper cab match up with the curved bricks underneath, for instance. I loved it when I first saw it and I was not alone, because this beauty inspired billyburg to build a beastly Monster Truck version.
He notes that he contacted Jörg before building it. He received nothing but encouragement and mentions that this is what’s great about the Lego community. I couldn’t agree more, especially with a result like this.