BrickRally217 Posted October 1, 2016 This is my first attempt at creating a custom modular building. I built this with really no forethought and only used parts available in my collection, aside from the hot air balloon parts on top which I had to place an order for. So the architectural styles are all over the place, but I don't know, I think it still has a certain charm to it. This has been a side project for me for about a year now, and I'm glad to see the final result. The right building is the Mexican restaurant itself with seating above, the middle "building" is just a stairwell, and the far left building is a tailor shop with an apartment above it. The two engine parts SNOTed on the tailor shop represent a bow-tie, which isn't so obvious from this angle. The roof of the apartment features an opening hot tub, a skylight, and a balcony in the front with sliding doors. The interior of the ground floor features an elevator, the same basic design as the Town Hall modular. One elevator door is for customers to get up to the seating area, and the other one is for the server coming from the kitchen. The roof sections removed. The restaurant second floor The apartment floors 2 and 3. Finally, the simple but all important minifigures. From left to right, a customer, the tailor, another customer, the chef, and the bartender/waiter. Thank you for viewing! Questions, comments, critisisms welcome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Actor Builder Posted October 1, 2016 Besides the fact that this is a really awesome Modular Building , which I'm sure other comments will cover... Is this based on an actual place? I'm getting the weirdest sense of Deja Vu from this... Maybe some place I visited in Arizona... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrickRally217 Posted October 1, 2016 7 hours ago, Actor Builder said: Besides the fact that this is a really awesome Modular Building , which I'm sure other comments will cover... Is this based on an actual place? I'm getting the weirdest sense of Deja Vu from this... Maybe some place I visited in Arizona... Nope, not based on a real location. I would say it is southwestern USA inspired though, because I did start making this after a trip to Southern California and the memory of the architecture there could have carried its way into my subconscious. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AFOLguy1970 Posted October 1, 2016 Very nice and eclectic! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
carebear Posted October 1, 2016 Just Love It!!! Great Work!!! Greetings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Actor Builder Posted October 1, 2016 7 hours ago, BrickRally217 said: Nope, not based on a real location. I would say it is southwestern USA inspired though, because I did start making this after a trip to Southern California and the memory of the architecture there could have carried its way into my subconscious. I did a bunch of googling and remembering last night because I wouldn't have been able to sleep unless I figured this out... It remind me of El Rincon Restaurante Mexicano at the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village in Sedona Arizona. It's not an exact replica, of course, but the whole aesthetic is very reminiscent of that weird little shopping center. I asked my brother to try and remember all the details of how that placed look, and then I showed him your MOC and his mind was blown. It's quite similar. All that said, I like your creation a lot more than the town I visited. The town was weird. This is cool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1980-Something-Space-Guy Posted October 1, 2016 This looks great! My only suggestion would be, if you have any more mariachi hats, you can use them to decorate the walls of the restaurant. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheLegoDr Posted October 1, 2016 I think because of you only using pieces in your collection, the colors are all over. If there was some more consistency, then it would be different. Eclectic is definitely the right word here. I like the tailor main floor colors and awning. I am curious on the Mexican restaurant on the transition between the first two levels, how did you do the dark bley area? It looks like a 1x1 round tile sticking out? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewTown Posted October 1, 2016 As someone who has only been building as an adult for a few months I really admire some of the build techniques employed here. The curved rear facade for one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrickRally217 Posted October 2, 2016 4 hours ago, Actor Builder said: I did a bunch of googling and remembering last night because I wouldn't have been able to sleep unless I figured this out... It remind me of El Rincon Restaurante Mexicano at the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village in Sedona Arizona. It's not an exact replica, of course, but the whole aesthetic is very reminiscent of that weird little shopping center. I asked my brother to try and remember all the details of how that placed look, and then I showed him your MOC and his mind was blown. It's quite similar. All that said, I like your creation a lot more than the town I visited. The town was weird. This is cool. I just looked up that shopping center on google street view, and I can see the reminiscence. Weird how that worked out. And thank you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrickRally217 Posted October 2, 2016 4 hours ago, TheLegoDr said: I think because of you only using pieces in your collection, the colors are all over. If there was some more consistency, then it would be different. Eclectic is definitely the right word here. I like the tailor main floor colors and awning. I am curious on the Mexican restaurant on the transition between the first two levels, how did you do the dark bley area? It looks like a 1x1 round tile sticking out? It's a repeated SNOT pattern of this hinge piece folded inward and a regular 2x2 plate: https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=2429c01#T=C Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vean Posted October 2, 2016 Great work! I need one! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eve nightfall Posted October 2, 2016 I like you building very much! You used really great techniques and made some special details! And I love the roof made of the ballon! What a great idea! That could be used for oriental towers! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BrickJagger Posted October 2, 2016 Wow, this really is beautiful. I love the creepers on the back and the usage of the Raid Zeppelin balloon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Man with a hat Posted October 3, 2016 Wow. Really nice. Great job! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hobbythom Posted October 3, 2016 Awesome build. Especcialy the mexican section is top notch! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fhomess Posted October 3, 2016 I really like how you used the 1x1 round tiles between floors to add a little texture to what is normally just a functional layer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Delbaerov Posted October 3, 2016 Love the build, I actually think it almost looks more middle eastern than Mexican from the outside, the roof looks almost mosque-like to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dazz Posted October 8, 2016 Your build looks a little bit weird and over the top... but somehow it works and I really like it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blackpool Posted October 9, 2016 On 10/3/2016 at 5:13 PM, Delbaerov said: Love the build, I actually think it almost looks more middle eastern than Mexican from the outside, the roof looks almost mosque-like to me. I see the same thing. I really like the MOC over all and my only constructive criticism would be to possibly look for a different option on the roof. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites