Discussion Topic: Should there be a 2 storey modulars series.

[Legoofmyleg]

I've just looked at "The Flag Strip" by melbs and had an idea. What would you say if Lego produced a series of two storey modular buildings? These buildings would have a lower piece count and price than the current series. Perhaps in the size shown in Melbs topic, but with a bit more detail. You could integrate them into the standard City sets.

"If" they were produced....

Would you buy these sets?

Would you prefer them to the current series?

Could Lego run both series concurrently, or is the market not large enough?

Melbs topic.

http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=85819

Edited August 19, 2013 by Legoofmyleg

[gylman]

Meh - I don't care if two stories or three. A town can have buildings with both.

Personally, I'd buy any detailed high quality building/structure model. Making it 50-100$ cheaper doesn't influence my decision. The quality of the model does. By quality I mean - accuracy, visual appeal, challenge of building, use of interesting techniques, etc.

However, if there was a new series that did not fit in with the old modular series, because of scale or general appearance, I suspect I would not commit to starting a whole new collection.

[eurotrash]

Rather than number of stories being used to differentiate between the regular Modulars and this new subset maybe there's a better case to be made for 16-wide vs. 32-wide.

Either way I'd be interested, but in any Modular (irrespective of number of stories or width) I want to see new techniques, new uses for old bricks, new colors.....

[jpd96zj]

I would be interested in 1, 2, 3 or 4 story buildings... In 16 or 32 wide, even other widths... As long as there was detail, variety in styles, colors and techniques... I love the modular buildings... Wouldn't mind having a 2nd every year with a lower price point... Make things easier on wallet while making the wait for next building not seem like an eternity.

[Andy D]

Rather than restate what the previous posters said, I will just add a "me to" about what they said. Particularly with integrating with the current modulars and interesting build techniques.

Something that could be done, I don't know how easily would be to make one of the options on the larger Creater 3 in1 buildings a modular option. That way it could be both a Creater 3 in 1 and a smaller modular.

I would buy that as a smaller modular.

Andy D

[lifeinplastic]

I'd welcome some 2 story residential buildings like semi-detached houses with roof bricks and new windows in different shapes and neutral colours. I doubt we would get a new line of City structures but it'd be nice to have something between the high priced modular but an improvement on regular city buildings.

[Phoxtane]

A 4 or 5 story building, perhaps even higher, could be done if there was no interior. That'd keep the price similar to the other modulars, especially if the facade was simpler to reduce piece count as well.

[BricksMcgee]

"Personally, I'd buy any detailed high quality building/structure model. Making it 50-100$ cheaper doesn't influence my decision. The quality of the model does. By quality I mean - accuracy, visual appeal, challenge of building, use of interesting techniques, etc."

Sums it up. Now need for a separate, specific two storey modular line!

[TomLego]

I think the current pattern of modular releases is fine. Nice thing about modulars is they really invite you to get involved in the MOC process. For staters, just look on ebay at the number of plans available to create additional modular buildings outside of those officially released by lego. I bought plans for converting the haunted house into a modular building, did so, and continued with my own MOC apartment building. I wouldn't be against releases with a smaller size, piece count.....but have no complaints with things as they currently are.

Edited August 17, 2013 by TomLego

[Gryphon Ink]

I'm afraid it would not feel like real modulars to most of the fans. Modulars are the big, impressively detailed buildings that shape everything around them in a city layout. They are centerpieces. That's what people expect from the theme. Make them smaller and you've got, well, nicely detailed little buildings, but not Modulars.

It also doesn't really make a lot of sense architecturally. Fancy townhouse-style buildings, which is what the Modulars are, are usually three stories or more. They tend to be found in large cities where land is expensive, so you build vertically.

[Andy D]

I've been thinking more about the "Creator-Modulars". I believe that an option to combine 2 or more Creator buildings into a modular could be a viable option as well.

I would also like to see a modular series between the Mini-Modulars and full size modulars. So we could have the Mini-modulars, Midi-modulars and full modulars. The Midi modulars could just be an option within Creator 3 in 1 buildings and would not require rhe introduction of a new series, just aditional instructions for an existing series.

Andy D

[TheLegoDr]

I prefer how the official modulars are right now. I like the extra height and width. But naturally the detail and techniques are what are important to me the most. But I like how the size is now. I don't like the smaller CITY buildings.

I'd love to see more 16 wide buildings. I don't picture LEGO ever making a smaller priced set since they sell so well at the price they currently are.

[Dazmundo]

I really like what melbs has done but I don't think I want Lego to do it. I think it is best left for us to create our own 'modular' versions of sets to fit into our town. I wouldn't object to Lego putting pictures of adapted sets in the instructions for ideas and inspiration but I prefer to create these myself. Most of my collection (other than modular) is made up of classic town sets from my childhood and once I start getting a layout together my plan is to adapt these to fit.

Darren

[fhomess]

I actually would welcome a new line of intermediary city buildings. Right now, the modular line is gorgeous but it's very expensive for most buyers. The transition from modular buildings to the other buildings in the city line is pretty jarring. There's not much in between. A line of $50 buildings that bridged the gap somehow would really appeal to me. Even if they were a little less detailed, I think that would be fine, since it would be a cheaper way to expand my city and integrate everything together. If one was released annually, 6 months off from the main modular, that would be great.

Edited August 19, 2013 by fhomess

[Vindicare]

I would love some more variation in building height. Whenever I go to the downtown area in my city, I see a lot of different heights of buildings that would work very well in the modular line. It makes it a bit difficult to really sync up a good layout with Modulars and City buildings, because of the drastic height and depth differences.

[GRogall]

I think that the designers at LEGO have enough work on there hands releasing one Modular a year! and this is working out fine, just the way it is

Although the next Modular 10243 (Parisian Restaurant) might be a January release with early VIP availability just before christmas..........

but we will have to wait and see.

[Kristel]

Although the next Modular 10243 (Parisian Restaurant) might be a January release with early VIP availability just before christmas..........

but we will have to wait and see.

This would be good!

[Jargo]

I'd rather they just made more regular Town/City style buildings in the actual City theme. I find the modulars overly detailed and messy looking. I like the simpler lines and scant details of City buildings. I think in minifig scale, simpler is better.

[Legoofmyleg]

I'd rather they just made more regular Town/City style buildings in the actual City theme. I find the modulars overly detailed and messy looking. I like the simpler lines and scant details of City buildings. I think in minifig scale, simpler is better.

I did see a recent thread in which someone felt the modular series didn't really fit in well with the city theme. I can see their point. To me the modulars are the large, impressive buildings with lots of decoration that you get in many western cities up until the 1940's (pre-modernist). In comparison, the style of CITY buildings is modernist and beyond. Therefore the modern world doesn't look "right" when placed next to or around the Modular series.

It's actually a similar situation that is found in many places today where the old buildings have survived, and have modern ones built around. Often it doesn't look right to have these different styles sitting side by side. The older buildings look out of place in the modern world.

Anyway the comments so far have been interesting. This is my first contact with other AFOLs and the responses are varied and educational. Do keep giving your opinions and I'll expand the questions to facilitate discussion.

[eurotrash]

Although the next Modular 10243 (Parisian Restaurant) might be a January release with early VIP availability just before christmas..........

but we will have to wait and see.

So when do think early pictures might be released GRogall?

[The Jersey Brick Guy]

I think that the designers at LEGO have enough work on there hands releasing one Modular a year! and this is working out fine, just the way it is

Although the next Modular 10243 (Parisian Restaurant) might be a January release with early VIP availability just before christmas..........

but we will have to wait and see.

Oh do tell!!

[melbs]

Didn't know the flag strip was in discussion here, sort of.

Anyway I think there would be potential if lego does produce an entry level, lower cost modular series. I love the modulars mainly for its size, complexity and fine details. And it's the reason I try to reconfigure city sets and modularized them, because they are just cooler.

The only negative is price, and by offering a lower entry point, it would be great for us afols and kids alike.

I noticed at least here in the Philippines, its only afols that strictly buy modulars, because of its price. Converted, its around 380 us dollars from the offical lego distributor. No parent would buy them for kids strictly for this reason, especially a non afol parent. A lower cost modular might change their minds and might give in. Especially if priced similar to city sets with vehicles, those seem to sell well to kids wanting their parents to buy for them.

As there's definitely interest from kids aged 7 to 10 in the current modulars, as my nieces and nephews are drawn to them especially once they get to play with its features and find normal city sets boring compared to them, I'm sure they would prefer a smaller modular to start with and have an easier time building.

Overall i think modular is the natural progression for lego sets. Lego vehicles sort of has evoled its design already and to me simple sets can likewise evolve by being modularized. Though i see lego integrating it into current sets rather than producing new series outright in the near future. I think production wise it's feasible as I mainly used what is included in the original sets to modularized them, just added extra bricks I had from the 650 pcs multi colored bricks I have which had no use before.

Would not touch on city sets and modulars looking good or not good together, as it basically boils down to preference. But lego will have my money more if they do increase and evolve the modular line.

[Kivi]

To me the modulars are the large, impressive buildings with lots of decoration that you get in many western cities up until the 1940's (pre-modernist). In comparison, the style of CITY buildings is modernist and beyond.

I see the main reason for this simply because modular scale allows for more details and designers and mocers take advantage of it. That's why the decorated buildings predominate over 'modern steel-and-glass looking' ones.

If I return to the original debate: the new modular line would be interesting to me if:

- it contained interesting and useful parts in appropriate quantities (kind of expansion of creator series)

- it showed some interesting building techniques (kind of not just an expansion of creator series)

- it was decently priced in terms of ppp (definitely not more than current ppp in creator series)

Finally, I wouldn't mind if nothing was produced at all in this size. After all, this leaves the gap for mocing.

[kermit]

In terms of buildings are you referring to height that is a shorter modular? The palace cinema was a two storey building and didnt have much interior details and is the aame price as most of the other modulars. Most of the bricks in all modulars are used on the design of the building because thats the selling point. Having two floors means there are only two floors for playability as appose to three. As stated with the palace cinema having two floors doesnt effect the the amount of interior details included.

Of course the fire brigade set is an exception with the second floor being highly detailed but, there is less space available to play on the first floor.

I dont think the lego designers intend to just build three storey buildings and work with the aim of devoting most of the bricks as possible to the design of the building.

If lego were to reduce the price of these buildings just for interior details then they can no longer be classed as the advance modulars as we have come to know but , instead be regulated to the lower quality of the creator houses.

Edited August 20, 2013 by kermit