LEGO Architecture on CNN Style

I was interviewed for this new article at CNN Style, alongside LEGO Set designer Rok Žgalin Kobe.

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Architecture Series · Unofficial Sets
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In the article, Rok shared some new insights on the challenges in translating a real building to a LEGO set. I offered additional advise when designing your own LEGO architecture model: “Start by looking at the building, figuring out what the hardest part is going to be and building that first.”

I also talked about the many fan-made LEGO creations, including several models featured in The LEGO Architect, and some of the custom sets featured in on our list of Unofficial LEGO Architecture Sets.

If you want to read “LEGO architects and super-fans on designing perfect miniature worlds,” you will find it on CNN Style.

ᴘʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ: #21045 Trafalgar Square

A photo of the upcoming set was released on Facebook in conjunction with a signing event on April 27.

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Architecture Series

Now that we have an official photo of the latest addition to the LEGO Architecture series, we can explore what the set has to offer. This is the first of two sets slated for a summer release. (Learn about the upcoming #21046 Empire State Building in our earlier article.)

#21045 Trafalgar Square

#21045 Trafalgar Square

Initial Impressions:

My immediate reaction was not entirely positive. I’m worried that the landscaping, fountains, and Nelsons Column distract from the front facade of the National Gallery. I also noticed strong similarities to the recently discontinued #21029 Buckingham Palace set which also places the building behind a fountain, fence and landscaping.

On closer look, there are some clever building techniques being employed which I look forward to building first hand. I have never seen the half-plate staircase technique used in an official set (it typically uses 1×2 or 1×4 panels in a SNOT configuration.) It looks like 1×2 Technic bricks are used for the front steps, allowing 3L Bar to be used for the columns.

The main building is constructed using the same SNOT techniques used for the Buckingham Palace set. I can’t quite tell what part is being used to achieve a ½ plate lip between the first and second story of the building, but look forward to finding out. I’m curious to see how they approached the sloping driveway which integrates nicely with the rest of the set.