T H E

L E G O A R C H I T E C T
®

T O M A L P H I N
SAN FRANCISCO
 ®

1.
The LEGO Architect. Copyright © 2015 by Tom Alphin.

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Production Editor: Alison Law

Cover and Interior Design: Beth Middleworth

Cover Model: UNITÉ D’HABITATION, designed by Ken Parel-Sewell and built by Dan Madryga

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Alphin, Tom.

The LEGO architect / by Tom Alphin.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references.

Summary: “Uses LEGO models to explore Neoclassical, Art Deco, Brutalist, Modernist, and other

architectural styles. Each chapter includes a discussion of the architectural movement, photographs

of famous real-life buildings, and a gallery of LEGO models, with step-by-step building instructions.”

-- Provided by publisher.

ISBN 978-1-59327-613-3 -- ISBN 1-59327-613-3

Architectural models. 2. Architecture, Modern--Themes, motives. 3. LEGO toys. I. Title.

NA2790.A56 2015

724--dc23

2015017603

No Starch Press and the No Starch Press logo are registered trademarks of No Starch Press, Inc. All trade-

marks and copyrights are the property of their respective holders. Rather than use a trademark symbol

with every occurrence of a trademarked name, we are using the names only in an editorial fashion and to

the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark.

LEGO, the Brick and Knob configurations, and the Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group, which

does not authorize or endorse this book.

The information in this book is distributed on an “As Is” basis, without warranty. While every precaution

has been taken in the preparation of this work, neither the authors nor No Starch Press, Inc. shall have any
liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly

or indirectly by the information contained in it.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE . .............................................................................

A BRIEF HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE .....................................

NEOCLASSICAL .....................................................................

DOMED BUILDING . ...................................................

PRAIRIE ...............................................................................

PRAIRIE HOUSE . .....................................................

ART DECO ...........................................................................

MOVIE THEATER . ......................................................

MODERNISM ........................................................................

LEVER HOUSE . .........................................................

LOAD-BEARING STRUCTURE . ....................................

CURTAIN-WALL BUILDING . ........................................

SULLIVANESQUE BUILDING .......................................

BRUTALISM ..........................................................................

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER . ..............................

GLASS LIBRARY . ....................................................

POSTMODERN ....................................................................

OFFICE BUILDING . .................................................

UNIVERSITY BUILDING . ..........................................

HIGH-TECH ........................................................................

TRAIN STATION . .....................................................

BUILDER’S GUIDE ..............................................................

PHOTO CREDITS . ...............................................................

BIBLIOGRAPHY . .................................................................

INDEX ................................................................................
....................................

...........................

..........................

..........................

........................

...................................

.................................

..................................

..............................

........................

.........................

.............................

.......................
A BRIEF HISTORY OF

ARCHITECTURE

The architectural styles explored in this book represent 126 CE and is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome

some of the most important in the modern era (the last in the world.

500 years), with a focus on Western architectural styles

The next major revolution in architectural forms came when
common in Europe and North America. That said, you will
architects invented the pointed, or Gothic, arch as a way to
also see how Asian architecture influenced the Prairie and
create brightly lit spaces with stone and glass. Tall windows
Postmodern styles, and how Egyptian and Mesoamerican
filled with brightly colored stained glass allowed more light
architecture influenced Art Deco.
into the great cathedrals built during this period. Flying but-

Looking back to the early history of architecture, we have tresses made it possible for architects to build even bigger

limited information because little remains of early homes cathedrals, as the buttresses kept the walls from crumpling

built of perishable natural materials like wood, leather, and under the force of the massive arches, as seen in the iconic

clay. We do get a glimpse of early architectural history by Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris (1163–1345 CE). The

looking at the remains of 5,000-year-old stone houses in decadence of Gothic architecture evolved into increasingly

Northern Scotland, the stone rings at Stonehenge, the cliff decorated styles, such as the ornate Baroque and fussy

dwellings at Mesa Verde, and the great pyramids of Egypt. Rococo styles that preceded the Neoclassical period.

The Egyptians were some of the first to employ columns in It is here that our book begins, as we follow a rapid pro-

their buildings, but the Greeks are more famous for using gression of architectural styles that were inspired by the

long rows of slender columns in their temples, such as advent of new materials, emerging technologies, and social

the famous Parthenon in Athens (438 BCE). The Romans pressures. We will see how Neoclassical architects found

expanded on the clean, classical forms of Greek architec- inspiration in the past; how the open prairie inspired its own

ture while pushing the limits of architecture and engineer- style; how a period of wealth and flamboyance was reflecte

ing much further. They embraced the structural potential in the Art Deco style; how new materials and technology

of arches in everything from aqueducts and bridges to made Modernism possible; how economic pressures led

the Coliseum (80 CE). The Romans were also the first to Modernism to evolve into Brutalism; how a disdain for borin

master the use of concrete, most famously with the domed minimalist designs gave rise to Postmodernism; and how

roof of the Pantheon, which has been standing since computer modeling ushered in creative High-Tech designs.
 roof of the Pantheon, which has been standing since computer modeling ushered in creative High-Tech designs.

vi

still the largest unreinforced concrete dome

r revolution in architectural forms came when

ented the pointed, or Gothic, arch as a way to

lit spaces with stone and glass. Tall windows

htly colored stained glass allowed more light

cathedrals built during this period. Flying but-

it possible for architects to build even bigger

the buttresses kept the walls from crumpling

e of the massive arches, as seen in the iconic

otre-Dame de Paris (1163–1345 CE). The

Gothic architecture evolved into increasingly

es, such as the ornate Baroque and fussy

that preceded the Neoclassical period.

our book begins, as we follow a rapid pro-

chitectural styles that were inspired by the

materials, emerging technologies, and social

e will see how Neoclassical architects found

he past; how the open prairie inspired its own

eriod of wealth and flamboyance was reflected

o style; how new materials and technology

ism possible; how economic pressures led

evolve into Brutalism; how a disdain for boring

signs gave rise to Postmodernism; and how

deling ushered in creative High-Tech designs.

CATHÉDRALE NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS

Paris, France, 1345.

LEGO model by Alice Finch.

NEOCLASSICAL

Neoclassical architecture emerged

during a period of renewed interest

in ancient Greek and Roman visual

art, design, and literature. The style

emphasizes symmetry and simplicity.

Many Neoclassical buildings feature

tall columns capped with a triangular

pediment and a large domed roof,

similar to the ancient Roman

Pantheon.
WHITE HOUSE VILLA EMO

Washington, DC, 1800, Fanzolo di Vedelago, Italy, 1565,

James Hoban. Andrea Palladio.

ARC DE TRIOMPHE ROYAL SALTWORKS

Paris, France, 1836, Arc-et-Senans, France, 1775,

Jean Chalgrin and Louis-Étienne Héricart de Thury. Claude-Nicolas Ledoux.

4 NEOCLASSICAL
NEOCLASSICAL
MENIN GATE

Ypres, Belgium, 1927, Reginald Blomfield.

LEGO model by Jan Vanden Berghe.

LEGO MODELS

NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE

New York City, New York, 1903, George B. Post.

LEGO model by Sean Kenney.

MENIN GATE
8 NEOCLASSICAL

Ypres, Belgium, 1927, Reginald Blomfield.

LEGO model by Jan Vanden Berghe.

ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL

London, United Kingdom, 1708, Sir Christopher Wren.

LEGO model by Alex Mallinson.

10 NEOCLASSICAL
ROYAL ALBERT HALL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

London, United Kingdom, 1871, Captain Francis Fowke

and Major-General Henry Y.D. Scott, Royal Engineers.

LEGO model by Phil Raines and Deborah Hope.

VILLA LA ROTONDA

Vicenza, Italy, 1590,

Andrea Palladio and Vincenzo Scamozzi.

LEGO model by Ferenc Szőke.

MONTICELLO

Charlottesville, Virginia, 1772,

Thomas Jefferson.
12 NEOCLASSICAL
 1x 4x 2x

1 2

12x 3x 8x

3 4
14 NEOCLASSICAL
 4x 4x

5 6

4x 4x 4x

7 8
 2x 1x

2x

10

3x

1x

2x

1x
11

1x
16 NEOCLASSICAL
 1x 1x 1x

12 13

6x 2x 1x 2x 2x

14 15
 2x 2x 2x 1x 2x 2x 2x

16 17

1x 16x 2x

18 19
 18 NEOCLASSICAL

2x
 20

2x 2x

1x

1x

21

4x 4x 4x

3x

22

4x 2x 2x
 23

8x 4x

24

4x 4x

25

4x 4x 4x
20 NEOCLASSICAL
 1

1x

2x 1x 1x

1x 1x

2x 3x

2x 2x

1x 1x
 26

27

4x 4x

2x
22 NEOCLASSICAL
 28

12x

29
TALIESIN III

Spring Green, Wisconsin, 1925,

Frank Lloyd Wright.

PRAIRIE

The seemingly limitless expanses of

the American West inspired a new

architectural style, which emphasizes

horizontal lines, open floor plans,

and a connection with nature. This

new Prairie style was pioneered by

Chicago architect Frank Lloyd Wright,

but many other architects designed

buildings in the style as it gained

popularity within the Midwest and

beyond.
GAMBLE HOUSE

Pasadena, California, 1908,

Greene & Greene.

26 PRAIRIE
PRAIRIE LEGO MODELS

WINGSPREAD

Wind Point, Wisconsin, 1939, Frank Lloyd Wright.

LEGO model by Jameson Gagnepain.

ROBIE HOUSE

Hyde Park, Illinois, 1909, Frank Lloyd Wright.

LEGO model by Chris Eyerly.

 30 PRAIRIE

Wind Point, Wisconsin, 1939, Frank Lloyd Wright.

LEGO model by Jameson Gagnepain.

GAMBLE HOUSE

Pasadena, California, 1908, Greene & Greene.

LEGO model by Grant W. Scholbrock.

32 PRAIRIE
34 PRAIRIE
 1

2x

1x

2x

6x 12x

1x 1x

1x 1x

1x
 6x

36 PRAIRIE
1 2 1 2

6x 4x

20x 23x

2x 3x

2x 7x 3x
 1 2 3

1x 1x

2x

3x

10x 1x 2x

2x 1x 2x
38 PRAIRIE
 8

1x 1x

2x 1x

1x

2x 2x

1x

10
 11

1x 2x 1x 2x

1x 1x

12

2x 2x 5x

2x 1x

1 2

18x 6x

6x

13

2x 1x 2x

1x
40 PRAIRIE
 14

5x 3x 1x

15

3x

16

2x

1x

17
 18

1x 1x 1x

19

1x 1x

20

1x 1x 1x

21

2x 2x
42 PRAIRIE
 22

The lower floor shows how a continuous living space can be separated
into different spaces by a fireplace (or hearth), small wall, or screen.
ART DECO
CHRYSLER BUILDING

Art Deco is the exuberant

architectural style born during

the Roaring Twenties. Also known

as the Jazz Age, this was a period

of unprecedented wealth, fashion,

and new technology. Buildings

were clad in elaborate facades with

intricate decorations to match the

flamboyant times. The sky was the

limit as developers raced to create

the tallest skyscrapers.

New York City, New York, 1930, the tallest skyscrapers.
William Van Alen.
NIAGARA MOHAWK BUILDING EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Syracuse, New York, 1932, New York City, New York, 1931,

Bley & Lyman. Shreve, Lamb & Harmon.

NORMAL THEATER

Normal, Illinois, 1937,

Arthur F. Moratz.
46 ART DECO
ART DECO LEGO MODELS
50 ART DECO
OCEAN RESTAURAUNT

LEGO model by Andrew Tate.

COLONY HOTEL
GALAXY DINER AND EMPIRE THEATER Miami Beach, Florida, 1935, Henry Hohauser.

LEGO model by Jonathan Grzywacz. LEGO model by Daniel Siskind.

GUARDIAN BUILDING

Detroit, Michigan, 1929, Wirt C. Rowland.

LEGO model by Jim Garrett.

 LEGO model by Jim Garrett.

52 ART DECO

GUARDIAN BUILDING

Detroit, Michigan, 1929, Wirt C. Rowland.

LEGO model by Jim Garrett.

COCOA HOTEL

LEGO model by Andrew Tate.

BUFFALO CITY HALL

Buffalo, New York, 1931,

George J. Dietel and John J. Wade, with Sullivan W. Jones.

LEGO model by Thad Jantzi.

54 ART DECO
 1

1x

2x 1x 1x

2x 1x

1x 1x

2x

4
56 ART DECO
 5

6x 1x

3x 2x 2x
 8

4x 2x

2x 2x

3x 4x 2x

10

4x 2x 2x 2x
58 ART DECO
 11

2x 2x

12

3x 2x 2x

1x 1x

13

3x 2x

1x 1x
 14

2x 3x

15

1x 2x

2x

1x

16

1x

2x
60 ART DECO
 17

3x 2x

4x

18

1x 6x

3x

4x
 1x 1x 2x 3x 2x 1x

19 20

1x 1x 2x

22 23
62 ART DECO
 1x 1x 1x 2x

25 26

4x 1x 3x 2x

1 2
 3x 1x 1x 1x

28 29

2x 2x 2x 2x 2x 2x

30 31
64 ART DECO
 2x 2x 4x 4x

32 33

34

2x 2x 1x

1 2

2x
 35

1x 1x

36

4x

2x

2x

37

6x 2x
66 ART DECO
38
FARNSWORTH HOUSE
Plano, Illinois, 1951,

Mies van der Rohe.

M O D E R N I S M

“Less is more.”
—Mies van der Rohe
MILLER HOUSE WILLIS TOWER

Palm Springs, California, 1937, Chicago, Illinois, 1973,

Richard Neutra. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

EAMES HOUSE

Los Angeles, California, 1949,

Charles and Ray Eames.

72 MODERNISM
MODERNIST

LEGO MODELS
76 MODERNISM
VILLA AMANZI VILLA HILLCREST

Phuket, Thailand, 2008, Original Vision Ltd. LEGO model by Ken Parel-Sewell

LEGO model by Robert Turner. and Dan Madryga.

MODERN HOME

LEGO model by Dave Kaleta.

HUIS TER DIJK

LEGO model by Niek Geurts.

NATIONAL CONGRESS OF BRAZIL JOHN HANCOCK CENTER

 Brasília, Brazil, 1964, Oscar Niemeyer. Chicago, Illinois, 1969, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

LEGO model by Paul Wellington. LEGO model by Spencer Rezkalla.

78 MODERNISM

JOHN HANCOCK CENTER

BETH SHOLOM SYNAGOGUE
Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, 1959, Frank Lloyd Wright.

LEGO model by Tim Schwalfenberg.

80 MODERNISM
 6x 1x

4x
1x

1 2

2x 1x 1x 1x 6x

3 4
82 MODERNISM
 5

4x 1x

2x 9x

1x 4x 1x

15x 1x 7x

6 7
84 MODERNISM
86 MODERNISM
 1

1x 4x

2x 1x

2x

4x 2x

2x 1x

1x
4

4x 2x 1x

2x 1x
88 MODERNISM
 1

4x 4x
1x

3x 2x

4x 4x

3x 2x

1x 2x
4

4x 4x 1x

3x 2x
4x
90 MODERNISM
 1x 2x

2x

4x

3
92 MODERNISM
 1x 2x 6x 3x 1x

5 6

1x 1x 2x 6x 3x

8 9
 1

1x
11

2x 3x

5x 1x

1x

2x
94 MODERNISM
 1x 2x

2x

8x

3
 1x 2x 6x 3x 1x

5 6

1x 1x 2x 6x 3x

8 9
96 MODERNISM
 1

11
1x

2x 2x 3x

5x

1x

1x

2x 2x
PALACE OF ASSEMBLY

Chandigarh, India, 1963,

Le Corbusier.
BRUTALISM

Brutalism is an offshoot of Modernism

that exploits the creative potential

of reinforced concrete. Because

concrete is usually poured on site,

architects are free to explore new

and unfamiliar shapes, limited only

by their ability to create a temporary

form to support the concrete as it

cures. Concrete is a low-cost building

material, which has made Brutalism

a popular style for cost-sensitive

public projects such as universities,

government buildings, and public

housing.
UNITÉ D’HABITATION OF BERLIN

Berlin, Germany, 1957,

Le Corbusier.
100 BRUTALISM
BRUTALIST LEGO MODELS

UNITÉ D’HABITATION
 Marseille, France, 1952, Le Corbusier.

LEGO model designed by Ken Parel-Sewell and built by Dan Madryga.

104 BRUTALISM
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO,

MATHEMATICS & COMPUTER BUILDING

Waterloo, Canada, 1968. LEGO model by Jason Allemann.

HABITAT 67

Montreal, Canada, 1967, Moshe Safdie.

LEGO model by Nathalie Boucher.

106 BRUTALISM
 5x 2x 1x 4x 4x

1 2

4x 4x 2x 3x

4 5
108 BRUTALISM
 1x 4x 2x 1x

7 8

1x 4x 1x 3x 1x 4x

10 11
 12x 6x 1x 4x

13 14
110 BRUTALISM
16
112 BRUTALISM
 1x 4x 12x

1 2

4x 8x 2x

3 4
114 BRUTALISM
 14x 8x

5 6

4x 4x 8x 1x

7 8
 1

44x 4x 4x

3
116 BRUTALISM
 12x

10 11

10x 4x

12 13
GEISEL LIBRARY

San Diego, California, 1970,

Pereira & Associates.

118 BRUTALISM
 14

12x 8x

1 2

4x

15 16
POSTMODERN

After 40 years in the spotlight,

Modernism lost some of its luster,

giving way to a more decorated,

historically rooted style. Postmodern

architecture explores a variety of

alternatives to the Modernist glass

and steel boxes that were taking over

the world. In response to Modernist

architect Mies van der Rohe’s famed

statement “Less is more,” Robert

PIAZZA D’ITALIA
New Orleans, Louisiana, 1978, Venturi claimed, “Less is a bore.”
Charles Moore.
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA SONY TOWER

Atlanta, Georgia, 1992, New York City, New York, 1984,

Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates LLC. Philip Johnson.

122 POSTMODERN
POSTMODERN LEGO MODELS

DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY

Denver, Colorado, 1995, Michael Graves.

LEGO model by Imagine Rigney.

 CITY RESTAURANT

LEGO model by Brian and Jason Lyles.

126 POSTMODERN
311 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE

Chicago, Illinois, 1990,

Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates.

LEGO model by Rocco Buttliere.

SONY TOWER CHINA MERCHANTS TOWER
 New York City, New York, 1984, Philip Johnson and John Burgee. Shanghai, China, 1995, Simon Kwan & Associates Ltd.

LEGO model by Spencer Rezkalla. LEGO model by Jens Ohrndorf.

128 POSTMODERN
NAKAGIN CAPSULE TOWER TRANSAMERICA PYRAMID
 Tokyo, Japan, 1972, Kisho Kurokawa. San Francisco, California, 1972, William Pereira.

LEGO model by Matthew Allum and his daughters Akemie and Alleke. LEGO model by Adam Reed Tucker.

TRANSAMERICA PYRAMID
130 POSTMODERN
 1× 1× 1× 3× 1×

1 2

2× 4× 1× 1× 1× 1× 4× 4×

3 4
132 POSTMODERN
 4× 1× 1× 1× 1× 4× 1×

5 6

4× 1× 1× 1× 1× 2× 1×

7 8
 1× 1× 1×

1× 1× 1×

1× 1×

1× 1×

9 1× 1× 1×

1× 1×

2× 1×

1× 1×

13×
 134 POSTMODERN

1×

13×
 1× 1× 1×

1× 1×

1× 1×
10

1× 1×

1× 1×

2×

1×
1×
 1× 2× 1×

11 12

RANSILA I

Lugano, Switzerland, 1990,

Mario Botta.
136 POSTMODERN
 1× 2×

13 14

16

2× 4×

15
138 POSTMODERN
 1× 1× 10× 2×

1 2

8× 4× 4× 2×

3 4
 140 POSTMODERN

2×

2×
 2× 2× 2× 4× 8×

5 6

12× 2×

7 8
 1× 1× 1× 1×

9 10

6× 4× 8×

12 13
142 POSTMODERN
 1× 1× 6×

15 16

2× 4×

2× 4×
1× 1×

18 19
 1

3× 1×
1×

6× 1× 2× 2× 1×

2×
1× 1×

1×

6× 1× 2×

2×
5

2× 1×
144 POSTMODERN
 1

4× 1×
2×

3× 2×

1× 2× 1× 1×

1×
1×

3× 1×

2×

4×

2× 2× 1×
1×
 1

2× 1×

1×

3× 2×

1× 1×

4× 7×

2× 2×

1× 1×

1× 1×
146 POSTMODERN
 1

2× 1×

1×

3× 2×

1× 1×

4× 7×

2× 2×

1× 1×

1× 1×
ENGINEERING RESEARCH CENTER

Cincinnati, Ohio, 1995,

Michael Graves.

21 22
148 POSTMODERN
23 24

Decorative
facade

Modern materials
and construction

The model is built in two stages. A decorative

facade covers a simple modern core. Most

Postmodern buildings use cost-saving modern

construction techniques and materials despite

construction techniques and materials despite

a classically inspired exterior.

H I G H - T E C H

The diverse architectural forms of

the last 30 years have only become

possible with the development

of advanced computer modeling

software. Computer-aided design

and high-tech fabrication methods

have allowed architects to create

buildings with shocking, abstract

sculptural forms.
MICHAEL LEE-CHIN CRYSTAL, ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM

Toronto, Canada, 2007,

Daniel Libeskind.
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE

Sydney, Australia, 1973,

Jørn Utzon.
152 HIGH-TECH
HIGH-TECH LEGO MODELS

BURJ AL ARAB BANK OF CHINA TOWER

 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 1999, Tom Wright. Hong Kong, 1990, I.M. Pei & Partners.

LEGO model by Spencer Rezkalla. LEGO model by Spencer Rezkalla.

156 HIGH-TECH

BANK OF CHINA TOWER

 KRANHAUS SÜD

Cologne, Germany, 2011, Alfons Linster and Hadi Teherani.

LEGO model by Jens Ohrndorf.

HSBC BUILDING AQUA

 Hong Kong, 1985, Foster + Partners. Chicago, Illinois, 2009, Jeanne Gang.

LEGO model by Jared Chan. LEGO model by Rocco Buttliere.

Cologne, Germany, 2011, Alfons Linster and Hadi Teherani.

LEGO model by Jens Ohrndorf.

158 HIGH-TECH
 1

4x 2x

1x

2x 4x

4x 4x 4x
160 HIGH-TECH
 4

2x 20x 4x

4x 2x

18x
 7

6x 8x

4x 4x

12x
162 HIGH-TECH
 1x 1x

1x 1x 1x 10

2x

A
1x
A
 1x 1x 1x 1x

1 1

1x 1x 2x 1x 2x

2 2

2x

1x 1x
 B C

164 HIGH-TECH
 1x 1x 1x

1 1

1x 1x 2x 1x

2 2

2x

1x 1x
D E
 1x 1x 1x 1x

1 1

1x 1x 1x 1x 1x

2 2
 F

166 HIGH-TECH
 11
F

12
B

A
 1x 1x 1x

1 2 3

13
168 HIGH-TECH
14

QUADRACCI PAVILION, MILWAUKEE ART MUSE

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 2001,

Santiago Calatrava.
QUADRACCI PAVILION, MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 2001,

Santiago Calatrava.
WINGSPREAD, in progress.

LEGO model by Jameson Gagnepain.

BUILDER’S

G U I D E

Now it’s your turn to create your own

LEGO architecture!

Whether you want to create a model

of your dream home or re-create your

favorite building, here are some tips

to get started.
to get started.
Experimenting with many different ways to build Palladian windows.

Prototype of the COLISEUM Prototype of the CHRYSLER BUILDING spire

by Adam Reed Tucker. by Adam Reed Tucker.

 172 BUILDER’S GUIDE

Prototype of the CHRYSLER BUILDING spire

by Adam Reed Tucker.

With so many amazing buildings around might even be able to visit the building—

the world, how do you decide which one to many historic or notable buildings offer

re-create with LEGO? A good way to start tours.

is to pick an architectural style you like or

your favorite architect. Look for books or DESIGN YOUR OWN BUILDING

websites that include many different build- Maybe you would rather build a model of

ings so you can find something that you’re your dream home or design the perfect

excited to build. Documentary videos skyscraper. Many architects build models

are another great resource because they to explore interesting new designs, and

allow you to see buildings from multiple you can too! Models let architects improve

perspectives. a building before it’s constructed.

You can always look around your city for Even if you decide to construct a LEGO

inspiration, too. Jameson Gagnepain likes building of your own design, you’ll want

to build models of buildings near his home: to do some research. Once you’ve picked

“It’s great to show people real buildings your favorite architectural style, you can

that they recognize. That really gets the study many different buildings to find inter-

attention of people who don’t normally esting architectural details that you want

appreciate LEGO.” to include in your design. Create a scrap-

When you have a specific building in mind,

it’s time to do some research. Collecting

photographs from several different angles

will help you capture the most important

details in your model. You may be able

to find 3D models of a building in Google

Street View, or detailed floor plans to help

you understand the building better. You

book of favorite buildings and architectural

IDEAS

features, capture ideas in a sketchbook,

or build a rough model using LEGO bricks.

Don’t feel like you need to stick with just

one style, either. Architects have been

combining elements from different archi-

tectural styles for years, and you can too.

This approach is called eclecticism

was especially popular in the late 1800s.

eclecticism
176

Spencer Rezkalla spends a lot of time on the space between his

buildings, as in this model of the new WORLD TRADE CENTER.

Adam Reed Tucker explores the form Jim Garrett included intricate

of FALLINGWATER in this model. Art Deco details in this model

of the GUARDIAN BUILDING.

BUILDER’S GUIDE
15 iconic models in the

FORM AND DETAIL

The LEGO artists featured in this book shape for his models—he builds “what you

fall into two categories: those who focus expect to see, rather than what’s actually

on capturing the basic form of a building there, because landmarks are generally

and those who prefer to create intricately recognizable by the proportions of key

detailed models. This stylistic difference is architectural features.”

similar to how one painter prefers impres-

When building very small models, you’ll
sionism while another prefers realism.
need to find creative ways to capture the

essence of the building by eliminating

FORM
unnecessary details.
Adam Reed Tucker is most interested in

capturing the “essence and pure sculp-

DETAIL
tural form” in his LEGO models rather
After capturing the basic form of a build-
than perfect proportions and very fine
ing, you can include some of its finer
details. Adam explains, “I view the LEGO
details. This is where specialty parts and
brick as a creative medium, like paint to
advanced building techniques are helpful.
a painter or metal to a blacksmith.” From
Jameson Gagnepain explains the benefit
his perspective, too much detail can make
of trial and error: “Getting the details right
a LEGO model look more like a toy—a
is all about refinement. I like to start with
design philosophy that is clearly reflected
a rough picture by getting the lengths and
in the models he designed for the official
colors right. I’ll often revisit sections over
LEGO Architecture series and his large-
and over again to improve them.”
scale models.

Context matters too! Spencer Rezkalla

By focusing on the basic form, you
says, “Oftentimes, I spend more time
can build a pretty large model using a
designing plazas or an attached shopping
small number of LEGO bricks. It can be
center than I do with the main centerpiece
liberating to stop worrying about the
tower.” By placing your model in a land-
details and explore interesting shapes
scape, you give it a sense of scale and
using basic bricks and simplified forms.
make it easier for viewers to enjoy.
Spencer Rezkalla relies on the “mind’s
Spencer Rezkalla relies on the “mind’s

eye” approach when designing the basic

178

Trans-clear over medium blue bricks.

LEGO model by Spencer Rezkalla.

Trans-light blue over Sand green bricks.

Adam Reed Tucker’s LEGO studio. LEGO model by Spencer Rezkalla.

COMMON LEGO COLORS

Where multiple names are listed, the

first is the common name used by

LEGO enthusiasts, and the second

Red Medium dark flesh Yellow Sand green

is the official name used by LEGO.

Bright red Medium nougat Bright yellow

White Black Dark red Dark orange Tan Dark green

Brick yellow Earth green

Dark bluish grey Light bluish grey Reddish brown Orange Dark tan Green

Dark stone brey Medium stone grey Bright orange Sand yellow Dark green
 Trans-clear Trans-light blue Dark brown Bright light orange Olive green Bright green

Flame yellowish orange

BUILDER’S GUIDE
180

Some parts have interesting textures.

Jumpers allow you to offset a wall by half of a stud.

Accessories can be used for accents, railings, or decorations.

Some bricks allow you to attach parts facing outward.

This technique is called studs not on top , or SNOT .

Hinges, turntables, and clips allow you to work at any angle.

 Technic parts allow you to build like an engineer. Flexible tubing and clips allow you to create almost any shape.

BUILDER’S GUIDE

Some parts have interesting textures.

ories can be used for accents, railings, or decorations.

, turntables, and clips allow you to work at any angle.

1970s public housing
181
BRICKS

There have never been more ways to part that has ever been created, and see

get the bricks you need to build amazing who has the parts you need available for

LEGO architecture models. The traditional purchase. You will find a list of great parts

approach is to buy LEGO sets that you find for building LEGO architecture models

interesting, and use the parts from those and advice on where to buy those parts

sets to build your own creations. This can at http://nostarch.com/legoarchitect/

be a lot of fun, but architecture models typi-

cally need large numbers of the same parts, ORGANIZING LEGO BRICKS

and most LEGO sets include only a few of If you only have a small collection, you

each part. probably don’t need to think much about

organization. You can just dump all of

The sets in the LEGO Architecture series
the bricks on the floor and start building.
naturally lend themselves to building
However, as your collection grows, it can
your own models, as they contain a lot
become frustrating to dig through a huge
of small parts in the same color. The
pile of LEGO bricks just to find a specific
LEGO Architecture Studio set is also
piece.
a great place to begin, because it con-

tains 1,200 white and clear bricks. This While it might seem like a good idea to

allows you to experiment with a versatile sort your parts by color, it is very hard to

selection of parts without worrying about find a specific red brick in a sea of other

matching colors. red bricks. I prefer to sort by category:

bricks, plates, slopes, tiles, plants, mini-

Even if you have a large collection of
figures, and the inevitable “miscellaneous”
bricks, you will eventually want to get
group. As your collection grows, you might
more. You can buy directly from LEGO
want to sort further with separate contain-
online or in LEGO retail stores, but the
ers for the different parts in each category,
best option is to visit online stores where
like 1×1, 1×2, and so on.
you can browse through every LEGO
 ®

2015. B I B L I O G R A P H Y

The text in this book is informed by a wealth of excellent BOOKS

books, documentary films, and online resources about

DK Publishing. Great Buildings . London: DK, 2012.
architecture. This is just a short selection of the resources

that had the greatest impact during my research. Filler, Martin. Makers of Modern Architecture: From Frank

Lloyd Wright to Frank Gehry . New York: New York Review

Visit http://nostarch.com/legoarchitect/ for a detailed
Books, 2007.
bibliography with recommended reading, selected quotes,

and more information about LEGO and architecture.

—. Makers of Modern Architecture, Volume II: From Le

Corbusier to Rem Koolhaas . New York: New York Review

Books, 2013.

Glancey, Jonathan. 20th-century Architecture: The

Structures That Shaped the Century . New York: Overlook

Press, 1998.

Gossel, Peter and Gabriele Leuthauser. Architecture in the

20th Century . Cologne: Taschen, 2012.

Hess, Alan and Alan Weintraub. Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie

Houses . With contributions by Kathryn Smith. New York:

Rizzoli, 2006.

Jencks, Charles. The New Paradigm in Architecture:

The Language of Postmodernism . New Haven, CT: Yale

University Press, 2002.

Legler, Dixie and Christian Korab. Prairie Style: Houses

and Gardens by Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prarie School .

New York: Stewart, Tabori and Chang, 1999.

Nichols, Karen, Lisa Burke, and Patrick Burke, eds.

Michael Graves: Buildings and Projects, 1990-1994 . With

a foreword by Janet Abrams. New York: Rizzoli, 1995.

Palladio, Andrea. [1570]. The Four Books of Architecture .

Translated by Isaac Ware. 1738. Reprinted with an

introduction by Adolf K. Placzek. Mineola, NY: Dover

Publications, 1965.

Pape, Thomas, Manfred Wundram, and Paolo Marton.

Palladio: The Complete Buildings . 25th ed. Cologne:

Taschen, 2008.

Poppeliers, John C., and S. Allen Chambers, Jr. What

Style Is It: A Guide to American Architecture . Rev. ed.

Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, 2003.

Pryce, Will. World Architecture: The Masterworks . New

York: Thames & Hudson, 2008.

Roeder, Annette. 13 Buildings Children Should Know .

Munich: Prestel, 2009.

Summerson, John. The Architecture of the Eighteenth

Century (World of Art) . New York: Thames & Hudson, 1986.

Toman, Rolf, ed. Neoclassicism and Romanticism:

Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Drawings: 1750-1848 .

Potsdam: h. f. ullmann, 2008.

Venturi, Robert. Complexity and Contradiction in

Architecture . New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 1966.

311 South Wacker Drive
I N D E X

Numbers béton brut , 101 Buttliere, Rocco, 179

Bley & Lyman, 46

311 South Wacker Drive model, 127
Blomfield, Reginald, 8–9 model, 127

A Borromini, Francesco, 6 Aqua model, 157

Botta, Mario, 131, 36

accessories, LEGO, 180 C
Boucher, Nathalie, Habitat 67
Acropolis model, the, 1

model, 105 C.Y. Lee & Partners, 127

Adler & Sullivan, 70
Brandenburg Gate, 6 Calatrava, Santiago, 154, 155, 169
air traffic control tower (Tampa
bricks (building material), 5, 27, 29 cantilevers, 113
International Airport), 111

bricks (LEGO) Case Study House project, 72, 73

Allemann, Jason, University of

for Art Deco architecture, 48 Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, vi

Waterloo Mathematics
for Brutalist architecture, 102 model, 1
& Computer building

colors, 178, 179 Centre Georges Pompidou, 154

model, 105
concrete textures using, 101 Chalgrin, Jean, 4
Allum, Matthew, Nakagin Capsule
for High-Tech architecture, 154 Chan, Jared, 181
Tower model, 129

inverted slope, 102 HSBC Building model, 157

Andrew Melville Hall, 101
for Modernist architecture, 73 Chili’s Restaurant model, 126
Aqua model, 157
for Neoclassical architecture, China Merchants Tower model, 128
Arc de Triomphe, 4

6–7 Chippendale pediment, 123, 124

arched pediments, 123
organizing, 181 Chrysler Building, 44–45, 48
arches, Roman, vi
overview of pieces, 180 spire model prototype, 172
Art Deco architecture, 44–67

for Postmodern Citigroup Center model, 174, 175

inspiration for, vi
architecture, 124 City Restaurant model, 126
LEGO models, 50–53
for Prairie architecture, 28–29 Cocoa Hotel model, 53
materials used, 47

SNOT, 180 Coliseum model, 172

Art Nouveau movement, 47
Technic parts, 154 Colony Hotel, 49
Arts and Crafts movement, 27

Brown, Scott, 125 model, 51

AT&T Building. See Sony Tower

Brutalist architecture, 98–119 colors, LEGO, 178–179

awnings, 91

LEGO models, 104–105 for Art Deco architecture, 49

B origin of term, 101 for Brutalist architecture, 103

Buffalo City Hall model, 53 for High-Tech architecture, 155

Bank of America Plaza, 122

building materials for Modernist architecture, 75

Bank of China Tower, 154

for Art Deco architecture, 47 for Neoclassical architecture, 7

model, 156

for High-Tech architecture, 153 for Postmodern

Barcelona Pavilion, 71, 73

for Modernist architecture, 71 architecture, 125

Baroque style, vi, 5–6

for Neoclassical architecture, 5 for Prairie architecture, 29

Bauhaus, 70

for Postmodern columns

Bauhaus Dessau, 71

architecture, 123 history of usage, vi

Berghe, Jan Vanden, Menin Gate

for Prairie architecture, 27 in Modernist architecture, 71

model, 8–9

Burj Al Arab, 153, 154 in Neoclassical architecture, 2,

Beth Sholom Synagogue model, 77
5, 6, 13
model, 156, 174

in Postmodern architecture,
 123, 125

184 INDEX
BECOME A LEGO

ARCHITECT
®

Travel through the history of architecture in The LEGO Architect

styles like Art Deco, Modernism, and High-Tech, and find inspiration in galleries

of LEGO models. Then take your turn building 12 models in a variety of styles.

Snap together some bricks and learn architecture the fun way!