fellow architecture enthusiasts?

zackesch

Recently, I have been bitten by the architecture bug quite a bit. Afterall, learning more about architecture fits in quite well with my other hobbies being model railroading and photography "i still shoot film :)." Im curious to who is out there who's primary focus is on architecture. For those who are, what buildings do you have in mind on modeling? Architecture for me is a nice brake and a new line of thinking as I am a machine designer  by trade, and learning about the free flowing, organic, artistic processes that go into designing structures will help me with my trade.

With me living in the Milwaukee area up here in WI, my goals are to learn my building technique with structures I am quite familiar with. Good examples are: US bank http://www.december.com/places/mke/images/usbank.jpg , Quadracci Pavilion designed by Santiago Calatrava http://media01.bigblackbag.net/15813/portfolio_media/lwsm_ovture-moma_101.jpg, Allen Bradley http://media01.bigblackbag.net/15813/portfolio_media/lwsm_ovture-moma_101.jpg , Miller Park, https://mlbreports.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/a-miller-park-mlb3-19.jpg , and the Mitchell Park Domes http://dynfuosaxcub2.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Xero-Flor-Green-Roof-Projects-Mitchell-Park-Domes-1.jpg.

That is just a start with some of our newer buildings. The Milwaukee area is well known for its cream city brick that much of our older buildings are built out of ,like the Pabst Brewery. 

ricecake

I know Tom Alphin (user @henrysunset on here) is a big fan. He wrote a book on it! I have a casual interest in the Architecture series myself, and am restricting my purchases to places I have actually been, except I haven't been to #21016 Sungnyemun and #21017 Imperial Hotel (I got those before I decided on that restriction).

ricecake

Here are the Architecture sets I currently own:
http://brickset.com/sets/ownedby-ricecake/theme-Architecture
I will be picking up the Louvre sometime soon.

zackesch

I noticed Tom Alphin here. His book came in the mail today as i also follow his blog and pintrest. 

77ncaachamps

Marquette grad here. Love MILWAUKEE and miss it.

im trying to do the old Mecca.
deciding how to start

also, that house in Spring Green (?)...house on a hill or something?...would be interesting.

the oriental would be awesome to do as a modular. Miss that place

sweetness34

ricecake said:

I know Tom Alphin (user @henrysunset on here) is a big fan. He wrote a book on it! I have a casual interest in the Architecture series myself, and am restricting my purchases to places I have actually been, except I haven't been to #21016 Sungnyemun and #21017 Imperial Hotel (I got those before I decided on that restriction).

I would buy them all. You may visit some of them after the sets are retired.

khmellymel

ricecake said:

I know Tom Alphin (user @henrysunset on here) is a big fan. He wrote a book on it! I have a casual interest in the Architecture series myself, and am restricting my purchases to places I have actually been, except I haven't been to #21016 Sungnyemun and #21017 Imperial Hotel (I got those before I decided on that restriction).

I do the same thing, but that Marina Bay Sands thing is a bugger 'cause now it's a big hole in my collection!

timinchicago

77ncaachamps said:

also, that house in Spring Green (?)...house on a hill or something?...would be interesting.

The House on the Rock is truly unique, I would not know where to begin to recreate it though!

zackesch

I had a chance to look through Tom Alphin's book this weekend and it was worth every cent. It gives a good base of what are the main features of a style of architecture, a base of the history, photos of example structures, example lego models, what are good pieces and clolors to use and a step by step build at the end of that section. 

zackesch

I had some time tonight so I decided to build one of the step by step how to's and it was for sure an enjoyable build. Hmm, this would make a good desk model built with colored pieces.

tomalphin

@zackesch, Thanks for sharing a great photo of the model!  How were the instructions and building techniques?

legogal

Wow! This is a cool model! Gotta try it myself, now! Many thanks to Tom and Zac; we get more info on architecture and how to use bricks to build buildings. The Architecture line is my favorite because I always wanted to be an architect when I grew up. Buildings are just so darn interesting. 

legogal

khmellymel said:

ricecake said:

I know Tom Alphin (user @henrysunset on here) is a big fan. He wrote a book on it! I have a casual interest in the Architecture series myself, and am restricting my purchases to places I have actually been, except I haven't been to #21016 Sungnyemun and #21017 Imperial Hotel (I got those before I decided on that restriction).

I do the same thing, but that Marina Bay Sands thing is a bugger 'cause now it's a big hole in my collection!

Yup, it is a bugger! I got off the Singapore Airline bus that circles Singapore, and stood their gazing at MBS for a while....debating whether to even enter the building. It is overpowering standing anywhere near it. It looks like it is about to come crashing down. I voted with my feet, and after taking a few pictures, got back on that bus and kept riding in circles. Not sure how folks can go swimming on the roof, but count me out.

It is an interesting and iconic build, so I am very glad that LEGO introduced the set. Just wish that they had made more than ten measly thousand. I ended up buying three of the buggers, one to build and two spares for my kids. It is a cool, very small build, and I am glad I did it even though they were expensive on the aftermarket when released. (At least I own something valuable to pass along to the kids in my will!) This is a set that should be easy to bricklink. Just get a brick engraver (what is Tommy's user name here?) to make the black signature tile, and you should be in business. (And sell a few extra tiles to cover your costs!) Good luck!

khmellymel

^ Thanks for that @legogal , for some reason that never crossed my mind!

legogal

@khmellymelWhile you are at it, get them to engrave nameplate black tiles for all the arch sets so you can build them as well. Someone was trying on US eBay to get 25US for one black tile saying Lego House! The set only cost 30US in Denmark when I bought mine in Billund two years ago. Good luck and keep us posted!