Architecture Studio 21050 - Anyone know anything?

leemcg

Just seen this new set turn up in the database today. Just a very small picture. I can just about make out 16+ 1210 pieces. Looks like a lot of white pieces to build your own Architecture-style models, but is there something else?

It was before my time, but could this be linked to the old Studios theme - would stop motion make more sense with an app on a phone?

caperberry

Looks interesting, but probably will be more widely used as a parts pack... except that it looks kinda like an Education set too, which are even more overpriced than Architecture...!

Plell

It's sort of like a large Architecture-themed Bricks & More set - think of it as a spiritual successor to the very first Architecture sets, the Scale Model line from the early 1960's. Select Barnes & Noble stores in the US will be holding an interactive launch event for it the weekend of July 26-29. Check out the video here to get an idea of what comes with it.

coachie

Guess I'll put on hold my Bricklinking of Taj Mahal then.

piratemania7

Looks pretty interesting and could end up being a fun build. I like the sleek design.

paulmison

This is the best article I've found about it; a press release from a Barnes & Noble near San Diego: http://www.examiner.com/article/lego-architecture-studio-event-oceanside-ca-on-july-26-1

"Participants will have the opportunity to reference the LEGO 250 guide book, experiment and create original architectural designs with more than 1,200 monochromatic building pieces, and learn a few architectural concepts such as scale, mass and density, symmetry, modules and repetition, space and section and surface.

"During the event, the participants will have an opportunity to build with LEGO Architecture Studio and demonstrate how one can explore the design process in architecture through a hands-on exercise building exercise."

I've had a look and a couple of the local Barnes & Noble stores are hosting this event on Friday, 26 July. There's also mention at the bottom of the article that "the store will offer architecture fans the first look at a new LEGO Architecture product that can only be found for sale in Barnes & Noble and LEGO brand outlets from July 25-28." Are they referring to 21050?

Plell

Yes. It won't only be available that weekend though, that's just the window during which B&N has an exclusive before other retailers get it.

cmrt1014

Will other B&N locations have it available that weekend as well?

Plell

Yeah, lots of locations have it listed on their events page. Most are doing it on the 26th, but it varies by location, so check events for that whole weekend.

mathew

Sounds like it's right up my alley. I'm fond of white bricks and architecture. I'm just concerned what the price will be. Hopefully it will be $100 or less.

cmrt1014

Sorry, my question really was, will locations that are NOT having the event have the set? My location is not showing it.

LegoMom1

@Plell : Thanks for both links. The video got me interested and the B&N link got me the needed info. I just called my B&N. The closest is 30 miles away, but they are hosting the event- I'm very pleased. Thanks for the heads-up on this.

Plell

@cmrt1014 , They should have the set, but might get it in a little later than stores that are hosting the event.

murphquake

I'm thinking they might not even be selling this set. Based on that video I can see each B&N opening up a few boxes and putting them out as "play brick" during these events. There's one here in Queens. I'm gonna go if all works according to plan.

Plell

No, each B&N will be getting a whole bunch of loose brick for use at the event as well as several individual sets to sell.

jasor

Will it just be an event sale, I wonder, or a truly exclusive B&N long term sale...?

Plell

I'm pretty sure B&N will have it exclusively at first, but it will be available through other retailers starting in August or September.

marjoryk

Looking forward to seeing the set tho.

Miro78

Just picked up the set from Legoland California, only had 1 at the Big Shop. $149.99 US pricing. Pictures of box from all sides (also shows contents) here on my Flickr page : http://www.flickr.com/photos/10981478@N04/sets/72157634712910580/

mathew

^ I like it, but it seems pricey for the part count. What exactly does that giant book have in it? Instructions? Architectural History? I love white Lego, but I'm also concerned about the quality (cracking, variations in color etc.)

Bosstone100

So, I like the concept but is this just for prototyping? I wonder if this is a test to see if similar sets of all one color would sell. I was thinking that it'd be nice to have similar sets for large scale buildings, like modulars. Lots of 1x8, 1x4, 1x3, 1x2, 1x1 in a single color... like dark bley, light bley, tan, etc. Maybe sets of accent colors like dark red, dark green, dark blue, etc.

caperberry

Droolsome quantities. Thanks for posting!

SirBen

I like the disclaimer on the box "Picture of inspiration only. Model cannot be built from the pieces in this box. Model shows pieces not included in this set."

That's helpful 'inspiration.'

mathew

SirBen said:

I like the disclaimer on the box "Picture of inspiration only. Model cannot be built from the pieces in this box. Model shows pieces not included in this set."

That's helpful 'inspiration.'

Not exactly encouraging for a set that retails for $150.

marjoryk

Miro78 said:

Just picked up the set from Legoland California, only had 1 at the Big Shop. $149.99 US pricing. Pictures of box from all sides (also shows contents) here on my Flickr page : http://www.flickr.com/photos/10981478@N04/sets/72157634712910580/

WOW. Amazing but that price means it would all the more be more expensive here in Asia.

zackery78

I was at the Barnes and Noble in Tyson's Corner, VA on Friday and they had the Architecture Studio out on the shelves for sale. It had 1210 pieces white pieces, a 270 page inspiration booklet, and numerous sorting trays in the box. I was going to pick it up until I saw the price: $149.95 .

caperberry

Already being discussed here
http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/11247/architecture-studio-21050-anyone-know-anything#latest

rocao

mathew said:

^ I like it, but it seems pricey for the part count. What exactly does that giant book have in it? Instructions? Architectural History? I love white Lego, but I'm also concerned about the quality (cracking, variations in color etc.)

I've been told that the book is packed with technical information, both about LEGO building and elements of real architecture. My guess is for interested AFOLs, this is going to make the $150 well worth it, much more so than the markup the existing Architecture series has for brochure-quality information and pretty packaging.

margot

I was told at my local BN that there is a giveaway. Does anyone have any more info about this?

Plell

I haven't heard anything about a giveaway and I'm running the event at my store. We got a big tub of bricks for attendees to build with, but TLG directed us to keep them for future events. So either your store is ignoring that directive, or someone there has graciously put up the funds for something to give away, or the bookseller you talked to just didn't know.

caperberry

rocao said:

mathew said:

^ I like it, but it seems pricey for the part count. What exactly does that giant book have in it? Instructions? Architectural History? I love white Lego, but I'm also concerned about the quality (cracking, variations in color etc.)

I've been told that the book is packed with technical information, both about LEGO building and elements of real architecture. My guess is for interested AFOLs, this is going to make the $150 well worth it, much more so than the markup the existing Architecture series has for brochure-quality information and pretty packaging.

Thita from Brick Blogger commented a little more about the guidebook contents on my blog. Sorry to promote my own page but it seems relevant to a couple of comments here.

Specifically that the part out value of this set using Last 6 months Quantity Average on BL is US$147.74. Add on top of that the shipping costs through Bricklink, and the fact you're not getting the nice book, sexy trays and box... you do the (rest of the) math.

@mathew's point about the quality of the pieces is a really good one. For TLG to release an official white parts pack that is likely to contain a variety of shades of white is problematic for me. My belief is that TLG have no system in place to be able to separate elements from different batches or factories. I once haughtily demanded replacements because the left and right wing parts in a set were those significantly different shades of yellow, along with various other parts in the set. Bless, they sent 'correct' yellow replacements for everything except the wing, so clearly they did not have any access to the 'correct' yellow (without a disproportionate amount of effort) - or it simply doesn't exist in the correct shade at present.

mathew

I have to say that this set is definitely aimed at me. My first set coming out of the dark ages was the Farnsworth House.

I wonder if Amazon will eventually sell this like the rest of the Architecture series? I could see them potentially selling it as low as $100-130. At that price I will buy. There's undoubtedly a high mark up like the rest of the series.

Regarding brick quality: I can deal with shading variations, but the cracking issue bothers me. I'm not sure if it's environmental issues in my home or just quality issues with the plastics that Lego uses. Like I said before, I have pre-90's era Lego that feel more rigid and don't crack. They are also more consistent in color (not counting discoloration due to UV).

mathew

caperberry said:

Thita from Brick Blogger commented a little more about the guidebook contents on my blog. Sorry to promote my own page but it seems relevant to a couple of comments here.

Nice blog. I agree a few arches would of been a nice addition. Lego may not have included them because arches are typically a 'classical' design element. It seems that Classical architecture is not very popular nowadays at least amongst the hip crowd who read Dwell magazine.

caperberry

My conversion set was Fallingwater so I'm in the same boat :0). I'd also hope to get this at discount on an AFOL day , but I don't agree it's got a high markup, nor the entire series. The Landmark sets do but large Architect sets are good value. Better than licensed themes which seem to suffer a lot less from the perception of being overpriced.

mathew

I think the packaging adds some to the cost. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy slick packaging, but there's also my "starving artist" side that appreciates frugality.

caperberry

Sure. I think it's valid to have superior packaging on 'adult' models though. (Ooer, sounds a bit rude.) Especially a "kit" like this. The BttF packaging surprised me more.

legogal

I just called the Barnes & Nobles in our area (Raleigh, NC) and found seminars on Arch. Studio still open. They are taking the first 25 to sign up:
-The Streets at Southpoint mall store on July 25th, Thursday at 7PM phone 919.806.1930 or
-Triangle Town Center mall store on July 26th, Friday at 7PM phone 919.792.2140
The store closest to us is not having the event. So you may have to drive a good distance to attend this one.
Looking forward to this event as Architecture is one of our favorite themes.
Thanks for the info!

LegoMom1

@caperberry said: Sorry to promote my own page but it seems relevant to a couple of comments here.

Very relevant to some comments, and very much appreciated. Thanks.

Lego_Star

This set (#21050) will be available as a Lego exclusive in the UK from 1st of August 2014. It's in the Summer 2014 Lego catalogue page 31. Price £149.99

Finally coming to the UK. Now Lego, I know you are listening, can we have Master Builder Academy series now too? Please, pretty please.

caperberry

That's great news.

thehornedrat

As requested in the news page, here is the link I used before it was removed. Its still up as at 10/6/2014 2000 AEST! 394.68mb. Just paste it into your download manager. Not sure how long this link will stay alive though. Get it before its gone, and good luck! (or maybe Lego will reupload the whole manual again, making this post moot)

http://brickowl.com/lego_instructions/pdf/studio_21050_instructions_6062928.pdf