Archinect - News

Legos, architecture, and miniature worlds

2019-08-28T18:52:00-04:00

Back in 2008, Lego launched its series of architectural kits with structures such as the Empire State Building, Fallingwater, the Villa Savoye, and countless others. "Architects operate in grids and if you analyze these, in pen and paper over blueprints, then you can derive the best translation into Lego bricks," said Rok Zgalin Kobe, senior designer at Lego, in a CNN article.

Kobe talked about how the Lego version of a building is not meant to only represent that real structure, but it should also, "tell a story about how it came to be built." He illustrated an example of the Empire State Building model and talked about how the real one was built using large steel girders. From this picture, the Lego version also has its own "replica of the steel skeleton inside the building," CNN reports.

Legos have also attracted a wide range of "superfans" who go to great lengths to recreate works of architecture completely by themselves. CNN writes how Tom Alphin, the author of The Lego Archit...

Build your own U.S. Capitol with LEGO Architecture Studio's latest kit

2016-08-18T15:45:00-04:00

LEGO Architecture Studio celebrated its big launch in retail stores everywhere back in 2013 with the monochromatic Architectural Toolbox and a collection of LEGO-brick model kits of the world's most famous buildings. Although LEGO Architecture retired some of the kits over time, they recently unveiled their latest icon: the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.

The neoclassical Capitol has undergone several construction phases and restoration since George Washington laid its foundation on September 18, 1793. But with this LEGO kit, you get to call all the shots.

For $99 a set, the LEGO reinterpretation contains over 1,000 pieces, including all the essentials like the columned façade, the two-tiered dome, colonnades, the north and south wings, and steps and lawns. The dome can be removed to reveal a detailed interior of the National Statuary Hall, complete with columns, a tiled floor, and statues.

You can also brush up on the Capitol's architectural design and history in an accompanying bookl...

LEGO Architecture launches new student acoustic-design challenge to restore a destroyed music theater

2015-07-22T14:29:00-04:00

Following a successful inaugural event last year, LEGO Architecture is presenting another opportunity for architecture students in the Villa Pennisi in Musica 2015 summer workshop to hone their acoustic-design and LEGO-building skills in the upcoming #FILLTHETHEATRE challenge.

Taking place in August at the Villa Pennisi in Italy, the workshop challenge is part of the 15-day Villa Pennisi in Musica festival that brings together classical music, architecture, and performance design. Attendees get to check out live music performances, exhibitions, lectures, and presentations by major classical musicians and notable practitioners in architecture and sound design.

Using the 1,200-piece monochromatic LEGO Architecture Studio sets, students will build scale models of indoor structures that will amplify the acoustics of the historic Teatro Bellini of Acireale, a baroque theater that was destroyed in a fire in the 1960s. The theater was only partially reconstructed, but is no longer in use due...

LEGO Architecture to launch in Europe at the Italian “Villa Pennisi in Musica” event this August

2014-07-15T19:19:00-04:00

LEGO Architecture is making its European debut on August 1 in the "Villa Pennisi in Musica" event at the 19th-century Pennisi Villa in Italy. The event is part of a program that brings an Italian architecture summer school and a classical music masterclass under the same roof.

Architecture students will use LEGO Architecture to form their ideas as they explore ways to design and build a wooden acoustic shell for the event's outdoor chamber music performances — in less than 10 days.

LEGO® Architecture Studio now in stores

2013-08-02T12:47:00-04:00

You can never be too old to play with LEGOs. Yesterday, the beloved brand released its latest series, LEGO Architecture Studio.

Endorsed by REX architecture, Sou Fujimoto Architects, SOM, MAD Architects, Tham & Videgård Arkitekter, and Safdie Architects, the set includes a guidebook written in collaboration with leading architects and edited by Christopher Turner. Click here for a preview (PDF).

Every toolkit includes over 1,200 monochromatic LEGO bricks, slopes, planes, and more that let you learn the fundamentals of design in a LEGO context. And instead of the usual step-by-step manual, the kit has a 272-page guidebook full of tips, techniques, inspiration, and even intuitive exercises to really get your creativity flowing.

At $150 a set, the price is pretty steep. But in comparison to actual building costs and having complete freedom with your project? It's probably worth it.