Reverse-engineering LEGO Architecture Set #21024 - The Louvre.

tomalphin

I just spent three nights building the upcoming Louvre LEGO set using common parts from my collection. Along the way I discovered some unusual building techniques, new part colors, some rare parts, and even a completely new part. I posted some of my progress on the Upcoming Town Square topic, but thought others would like a sneak peek at this great upcoming set. (Sadly, it sounds like it isn't going to be released until September!)


Looking at the how the glass pyramid is cleverly constructed using trans-clear plates and cheese. It is attached at an angle using hinges attached in one of many possible ways.


Annotated preview of the parts likely used to build the courtyard.


Here we see the new color for Telescope which is cleverly used as a column, and the new 1x2x2 panel with arch brick.


I superimposed my model (left) over the real box art (right).

I am really excited about this set. It is the best addition to the series this year, and has great parts used in clever ways. It's great to see a new LEGO part introduced in the Architecture series as well. There are a few additional photos and analysis of the set at http://tomalphin.com

Sincerely,
---tom

tomalphin

NOTE: Apparently that 1x2x2 Panel with Arch isn't a new part - it is 90195.

Istokg

Thanks for the post henrysunset... very interesting!

But I cannot for the life of me figure out why TLG had to use such a complicated process for building a simple pyramid??

TLG has never produced 45 degree convex 2x2 corner bricks in trans-clear.... so I had a funny suspicion that the easiest way to build this via 45 degree sloped bricks... would be out of the question. I have a bazillion 2x2 trans-clear slopes from many sets over the years... but TLG never made them in the 2x2 convex corner variety (would help make for a simple crystal pyramid). Of course you would need 1x2 half pyramid peaks as well in trans-clear... but that part already exists in abundance, except in trans-clear.

Having been to the Louvre myself, I know that although the geometric panels are diagonal as installed... the entire structure has pure crisp edges.

What TLG has created in this version for the Architectural set... looks more like a Mayan Chichen Itza pyramid made out of crystal.

Sorry, didn't mean to threadjack... because I do like your analysis... just not their interpretation.... that pyramid is way more complicated than it needs to be... :-1:

LegoTT

Incredibly impressive. Well done!

legogal

Tom, So glad they are going to offer this set. The Louvre has such a huge collection of interesting items that it is hard to digest what is there in general terms. I have heard that most of their collection is not on display. This building certainly should be in the Architecture Series.

It is tough deciding what to represent in this set. Should Pei's pyramid over the entrance courtyard be the focus or should it be the building itself? While I love Pei's buildings, the pyramid has always thrown me as being out of place in the center of the museum; but when visiting it, it always comes across as brilliant. So I guess it has to be in this set.

I, too, have noticed that the pyramid edges are quite clean, and am wondering how LEGO will pull this off with existing bricks.

The building part of the set looks good from the little I can see in the photo. The history of this grand building is overwhelming. We once spent five days in a row visiting each day for several hours so that our brains were not on overload from seeing too much in one visit. And we still suffered from mental overload.

Thanks for posting this excellent rendering of what TLG could be up to. This set is a must buy for me because the place makes me feel like I have died and gone to heaven every time I walk through its doors... from the ancient ruins that have been opened up on the bottom floor to the rooftop. Let's hope that others feel strongly enough about it to pick up a copy.

Istokg

As you might guess... .I've been waiting for those dang outside corner 2x2 trans-clear slopes a looooong time... ;-)

tomalphin

@legogal - I think that we know how the pyramid will be built based on the various photos which have leaked. I have re-confirmed that my design for the pyramid is accurate based on sharper photos of the real set. It's a pretty convincing effect, More compelling in my opinion than it wold have been using 2x2 trans clear slopes.

@Istokg - I do understand after building it why they didn't use trans clear slopes. This is a more interesting build, and it would have also required a pair of part #3048 in clear for the peak. That would have required two new parts in trans-clear, and you know how hesitant they can be to do new colors, especially trans since it uses a different plastic.

@LegoTT - Thanks for the support. Be sure to check my blog and Instagram for new projects every couple weeks.

dafish

great job man! I can't wait to get it although there will be quite a few sets this year threatening my wallet...