caperberry

My entry is in the Architect Series category and is a London theatre two doors down from me, the Young Vic, as redeveloped by Haworth Tompkins in 2006. I have represented the theatre in micro scale; the total height is just over 5 bricks! I decided against adding a decal of Patrick Stewart (You can’t see the orange beneath the metal mesh very well in my photo of the real theatre, so have a look at this picture. It changes dramatically according to the time of day and where you stand.) Here is the reverse angle of the facade showing the dramatic auditorium and the workshop to the right. The rear of the building faces a street that runs at a slight angle – so I had to use several hinges. And seeing as I was using hinges, I figured… The model swings open to show (left to right) the interior of the main auditorium, the two-floor foyer and the second auditorium, called the Maria. More pictures of the building and the model are on my Flickr account. About the building and the architects To fully appreciate the building I need to briefly explain its interesting history. The site was full of Victorian shops and houses until it was bombed in 1941, killing nearly fifty people in a shelter. Only one shop survived the destruction; a butcher’s. In 1970 the first incarnation of Young Vic was built to temporarily house the Royal Shakespeare Company in between their move from the Old Vic (just down the road) to the Barbican. Because of limited funds and the fact that a building was only needed for 5 years, architect Bill Howell built the auditorium out of breeze blocks and used the old butcher’s shop as a foyer! But this temporary building, and the works staged in it, proved so popular it never stopped being used. Over thirty years passed before the much needed redevelopment happened. Haworth Tompkins retained the iconic Victorian butcher’s shop (the tall narrow tan building in the centre) and the breeze block auditorium, but wrapped it in a new shell painted orange and covered in a metal mesh. Other required spaces (including two new auditoria) were designed around them, "a conglomerate order rather than a single compositional statement." All the planning was done in consultation with the various staff of the theatre, and the set builders even helped build it! About the model Ever since Fallingwater brought me out of my Dark Age, I've thought about modelling this theatre. The colours, the angled corners and the effect of the metal mesh all attracted me. Fallingwater contained that wonderful surprise of being able to remove the building from the landscape. I wanted to include a surprise here too and the hinged ‘dolls house’ opening grew very naturally out of the need to use hinges in the model. But was a total pain to build robustly! I finally decided to include the random small windows at the rear of the building; it felt dull without them. They are mostly achieved with just jumpers and panels, but there is a little SNOT there too. I really enjoyed this build and am grateful to Eurobricks for giving me the opportunity to combine my loves of LEGO, architecture and local history! Thanks for reading.

Not quite what you're after, but Citizen Brick has some awesome custom heads

I'm hearing (second-hand) yet more rumours about the existence of an upcoming collection of Olympic minifigs. Apparently there may be 6, and they might be packaged in the CMF style sealed bags. There's no clarity on whether this is a UK exclusive or not, but may be so.

Had some fun last week as I bought an extra two Alien Motherships and modified them (along with Tripod Invader, Fangpyre Mech and other parts) to create this: My favourite bit are these floating Clingers with tongues! They are securely attached, thanks to upside down spiders. Breakdown on my Flickr, along with more close-up model pics.

Nup - my attachment method can withstand lightspeed pressure but I guess they might asphyxiate!

I do harbour jealousy of AFOLs with kids! But console myself knowing I don't have to share with anyone

Actually it's quite easy; as I was working by modifying the original, I kept the whole Technic core with the handle. (sticking out the back in the first pic - I used the trans clear Technic from Podracers.) The rings sag very scarily of course, so I keep my joyous spinning moments brief!! I'm so happy - that's exactly the response I hoped for! Of the non-licensed kids' themes, AC is my favourite because of its humour. That whole B-movie Mars Attacks vibe is right up my street. The Earth Defense sets have no interest for me, I'm just in love with the aliens and the clingers and their kooky UFOs. So glad you enjoyed the tongues!

I'm one of those who commented on the charm of your drawings, but agree that if you want to get this moving, some 'real' minifigs will be better at securing support. As I understand it, it is LEGO's job to decide what the exact final build and new parts will be, so your role is to do whatever you want to secure votes. So a thread like this is a good idea. For me, the proposal looks good i.e. custom printed bodies and new heads. Using existing parts where available is neat e.g. chef's hat. Custom musical instruments where needed sound fine (I recently noticed some 3D printer designers offering such things) but hopefully things like the drums can be built from existing standard parts; I'd prefer that wherever possible. LEGO have an existing relationship with Disney which is a plus. I'm wondering if you can 'do a Yatkuu' and secure celebrity support - Jason Segel seems to be a Muppets nutter!

About 1983 to 2010. I came back thanks to Fallingwater and haven't looked back. Thankfully we kept all our childhood LEGO (I have 4 older sisters so we had quite a good collection, albeit in those limited colours) and even more remarkably, the original boxes although many got nibbled by white ants . We decided it would be kept at Mum & Dad's for the next generation to enjoy. That next generation is now growing up, the youngest is 9 and eldest 18, and now I'm out of my Dark Age I want my LEGO back!!! Mum will be very pleased to be rid of the boxes but I think she likes having the LEGO there for the little ones. Maybe I'll just take my classic Space sets for now...

Thanks!! Did you see my closeups of him and said minions? Wellll, I wouldn't give it to a child The track & connecting plates bend a bit scarily when you lift it, but you can still spin it, as with the original. I've done this several times now. The Clingers are extremely stable, and the 'floating' ring in the centre is stable enough to move the model around fine, but I wouldn't turn it upside down. I don't like putting strain on pieces so I will break up the track section soon - plus I need my table back.

I have a LOT of CMF clowns if you need to make another 'special' photo You know, looking at it again, it does look like the cat is pissing on the building.

That is... special! Thanks!! (i have friends pieces too)

Hahaha!! Can you imagine. Please tell me you own that piece and are prepared to upload a special picture

Thanks so much hewman! I hadn't thought of gaps in the market, but indeed I was out to have some fun. My recent micro build was intense work!! Needed a 'break'. It was great to get back to a build with little clear purpose and see where the bricks took me! Actually, I'm on their side! I just remembered it also contains some Friends City Park Cafe pieces too I originally had visions of the 'ring' being even larger, by adding a semicircle at each connection point. So I ordered 3 extra sets from Play but they sent 2 and a PotC Whitecap Bay!! Seeing as that set is worth twice as much, I didn't pick them up on their error Maybe a Mothership contest should be next! Yes, I'm seeing a lot of sales on this too. Just as well - I still want one more! I love all the curved pieces and slopes and those trans light blue 1x4 tiles. This sounds freaking awesome. Really looking forward to it, please do me a favour and PM me when you post it just in case I miss it.

Green heaven! Do you have a build in mind or are you just a green fan like my sister

Thanks! Can't wait to see yours. I wanted to add some more sound bricks but left that to last (I was working by amending the original Mothership rather than starting from scratch) and after 3 days of building I felt enough was enough, it was only meant to be a bit of fun! So your mothership will be modular with other ships? Cool idea!

Oh, no. How awful for you. So lucky you have those pics because this is just eye-droppingly awesome!

So gorgeous, and without decals! The mouth is especially adorable.

Isn't everyone?

Nor me, interesting - is the baseplate and frame all one piece?

Maybe ask that question on the main thread for this contest? I dunno, but i think an admin is more likely to notice your question there. Great build and very nice to see this architect represented - I'm surprised there hasn't been an official set yet.

Thanks so much for updating iPab, I've been considering a trip to visit MK but wanted to check what they had first. Berlin, ah, jealous, they have a great PAB wall!!! (And a fab city too )

C-razy building! Nice job.

I was in one on Thursday on Oxford Street and there was no such deal They even had S5 still on the shelves, I kindly offered to take their remaining stock off their hands if they gave me a discount but once again, no deal Bought one S5 anyway and got another sodding clown