Discussion: Modular Skylines

[paostmo]

With the Modular Madness competition going on, I am seeing a lot more single story builds (mainly the "Parks" category). I'm quite fond of many of these single story builds; the MOC: recycling center is a recent favorite of mine. However, while many of these builds look spectacular on their own, they look terribly out of place when sitting next to something like the Town Hall, or even the Pet Shop which isn't even that tall.

Do you think a single story building, such as a park, can be incorporated into the same street as the official modular buildings? Or do you think single story builds need to stay with other single story builds?

[Vindicare]

I would really like to see some bigger size variation in the Modular line. Remember, 10190 Market Street does have a single story unit with it and it looks fine in line with the rest.

[Dakar A]

You also have things like this in real life as well: for example, in Jacksonville Beach (Near where I live), there are 1-2 story beach hotels next to giant, multi-story skyscrapers. The solutionto this is spacing. The smaller structures are far enough away from the larger ones so as to not cause a major visual issue. The same is done with parks and such in towns that are in a terraced style: The parks and the 'Modular' (Terraced) buildings are at least 1 street apart from one another.

[Capn Frank]

I don't think Modular towns should be a bunch of buildings that are 2 to 4 story only. In actual towns the variation can be pretty crazy in towns that I live near and others are "neat and orderly".

If you check the Google Street View of Cedarburg, WI, USA, you'll a lot of variation in adjacent lots. At the intersection of Washington and Turner on the east side of the road, there are some "modular" style buildings next to a small parking lot, then a house with a driveway, then some more modular style buildings. On the west side of the road there are some modular styled building north of Turner St., but then there's a 1-story bank south of Turner. Then, there's a few houses after the bank with one modular styled building by it self.

In Port Washington (10ish miles away from Cedarburg), almost all of the downtown buildings are 2-4 story with a modular style.

I think it doesn't matter if buildings will look terribly out of place next to each other (like in Cedarburg). It may be part of the character of that particular layout.

[paostmo]

I suppose it's true that buildings of different heights can look good next to each other, but if you were to put a park next to an official LEGO modular building, then at the very least the modular should be modded so that the side facing the park has some windows or character of some sort.

[sonicstarlight]

I did a one-story diner that I think more or less works with the official modular line. Like others have said, actual cities are virtually never as universal in building heights as the LEGO sets are, and even though the Pet Shop is a little short and the Town Hall a little tall, I still think they could use more variety.

I think one of the things you need to take into account is what kind of building you are making. Office buildings and apartment buildings tend to be tall, so making a one-story version of either of those might not look right. Things like post offices, restaurants, gas stations, etc, could work very well as shorter buildings.

[Bricksan]

It is not something that I think about as no two buildings are the same. Currently I have started phase two of my project and it features the building that is going to be taller as it requires more floors but based on LDD designs it will fit in nice with it's surroundings.

[The Blue Brick]

I actually really enjoy more variety when it comes to heights of buildings. I try to incorporate this into my own layout when I can.

IMO, it can look a bit off when you put the Town Hall next to a park, but it can make it more realistic.

For example where I live. there will be a be a tiny plaza with a statue or even a small basketball court next to 4 to 6 story buildings on three sides.

Doing this with Lego can make it seem unnatural, but also more realistic at the same time.