Cathedral X: An Upgrade

[Darkie]

Update, February 4 2007: I've posted below, but here's the link of the new additions:

Click the picture to see more. :)

Hello, EB!

For those of you who might remember, I created a cathedral for NWBC this year. I was happy with it. After seeing the massive display, though, I was inspired to, uh, upgrade.

So I am.

I'm in a bit of a rut, though, because I've got a few ideas, not the right parts, and I'm waiting for trades and BL orders to start arriving to progress to the next portion. But since I'm in such an early stage, I thought I'd ask for basic comments, criticism, and constructive feedback regarding the general design.

So, here's some photos:

An arial shot. This shows the general shape and patterns on the floor. I'm going for semi-historically accurate, so that's the immense size and smallish offshoots. This is, for those who don't know, the classic Latin-cross design, as seen in many old churches.

The altar and pulpit, as well as one of three tombs. The brown thing is the Bible, if you will.

One of hopefully many stained glass windows. I'm not sure how I like this, but those are generally the colors I have to work with. I have plenty 1x2 clear, 1x1 green, and 1x1 clear plates in both square and round...but that's it. I like how random this turned out, so I may stick with this sort of design for the smaller windows. It's the big ones at the top behind the altar and pulpit that I'm stumped on.

As far as decorations go, I've got statues in the works (all white figs) and I've got some ideas for breaking up the monotony of the white walls. I also will have arches. Many, many arches.

I'm also looking for a decent name for this, so if anyone has any ideas, I'm open.

I hope to have this done for BFPDX in March, and definitely for NWBC07.

Any thoughts? Ideas? Comments? All are appreciated!

[Minifig Lecturer]

It is very good. It is good to see buildings like this church being built and not just the usual stuff. The detail inside the cathedral is nice, especially the alter and tombs and stainless glass windows and bit of a boeing.

Your idea of more arches is good. Perhaps you could make some flying buttresses on the outside of the building. My only recommendation would be that you could consider building a church tower or as you have some vikings, perhaps a round tower eg http://www.roundtowers.org/glendalough/PB090484ax.jpg in the church grounds.

What's BFPDX and NWBC07. Competitions?

[Sir Dillon]

This is looking very good so far. I like the tiled floor very much, and the alters and pulpit look good.

Are you planning on doing the roof the same way?

[Capn Frank]

That's a very nice cathedral.

The birch trees are really nice. I've never seen birchtrees out of lego before.

I saw the whole "slide show". That MOC looks great! Lots and lots of detail.

Onto critiquing:

For the four shields at the alter, i would use the crusader shields and/or use the black falcon shields with the yellow out line instead of blue. The blue outlined BF shields seem out of place. Asthetically speaking that is.

The Cathedral looks great on the exterior, but that's a lot of white. I don't know if you can add a little tan "hidden" in there to break it up a little. If it wrecks the interior and you don't want that, then never mind.

I would also add one or two more colors to the stain glass windows. Especially to the back windows.

(you by any don't have to listen to these, they're just suggestions to try to improve this already spectacular MOC)

[Darkie]

Thanks!

I do plan on doing the roof similar to the original; I have plenty of tile to do so. I plan on making the spires pointy, and the stained glass at the back with definitely be various colors.

As for the flying buttresses, I have some ideas as well as some pieces to experiment with for a few gargoyles or something else of that nature. As I progress, I'll keep posting more photos.

[Capn Frank]

Thanks!

I do plan on doing the roof similar to the original; I have plenty of tile to do so. I plan on making the spires pointy, and the stained glass at the back with definitely be various colors.

As for the flying buttresses, I have some ideas as well as some pieces to experiment with for a few gargoyles or something else of that nature. As I progress, I'll keep posting more photos.

What do you mean by spires and buttresses?

I dunno what they are for sure.

Edit:

By spires I mean, more or less, the pointy bits at the top. In this photo, it's the statues...but from the ground, they don't look much like statues at all. ;)

A ground view.

Gargoyles

Various bits of architecture.

(BFPDX is BrickFest in Portland, OR and NWBC is Northwest BrickCon, in Seattle WA)

Got it.

[Darkie]

By spires I mean, more or less, the pointy bits at the top. In this photo, it's the statues...but from the ground, they don't look much like statues at all. ;)

A ground view.

Gargoyles

Various bits of architecture.

(BFPDX is BrickFest in Portland, OR and NWBC is Northwest BrickCon, in Seattle WA)

[Darkie]

UPDATE: February 4, 2007

Bricklink orders arrive, and things happen. Yeesssss.

I've built up most of the main body of the building. I need to create a roof, and finish some detail work. I'm also getting a myriad of statues to use as well. Suggestions are great appreciated. :)

[Starwars4J]

It's very interesting, the way it's developed. Are you planning on adding hands to the statues up front, or is that there for some design reasons?

Very interesting choice with the picket fence for the roof, I don't believe I've seen that before. Overall it looks very sturdy, and very regal. I can't wait to see the 100% completed version. Isn't waiting for BL orders murder? :-P

[Darkie]

Yep. Waiting for BL orders IS murder.

The statues are handless because, frankly, I don't have white hands easily accessible. Although, it doesn't look too bad. ;)

Thank you! I've still got the spires to finish, statues to order....at least those aren't from BL.