Chic Shack

Norwegian Shack by Mattias Søndergaard

Still in Norway - (BTT) This author isn't ready to end this Scandinavian adventure just yet. Perhaps a little harsh calling itself a humble shack, this small-in-stature but huge-in-comfort dwelling has everything a person could want a mere arm's length away (literally). Despite the modern facade, this building blends harmoniously with the natural landscape around it. It even sits on stilts to minimize its footprint, allowing flora that don't mind a little shade a nice roof over their head, too.

Geometric Gem

Courtesy Schröder House by TechnicNick 

Utrecht, The Netherlands - (BTT) We seem to be on a bit of a modernist kick at the moment, and for good reason - not everything needs moldings to be a masterpiece. The Schröder House, designed by Dutch architect Gerrit Thomas Rietveld and completed in 1924, proves this to be true. Quite possibly the best architectural expression of Neoplasticism (De Stijl to the locals) ever created, the Schröder House is made up of a series of intersecting planes with key elements highlighted in primary colors. Inside the building is almost completely open with a virtually wall-free interior - quite radical at the time, when the concept of loft apartments were still decades away from being trendy.

Scandinavian Simplicity

Courtesy Villa Whiteout by birgburg

Scandinavia - (BTT) Looking just as good now as when it was first built back in the 1930s, this modern dwelling is newly renovated and ready for the next eight decades. The pure white facades punctuated by black trim on the windows and doors is a classic look for the era, but a bit of brickwork helps bring a little color and contrast to the composition. On the ground floor in a beautifully open plan is a living room wonderfully detailed with ample seating and a cow skin rug in addition to a kitchen sure to please any aspiring chefs in the family. Head up the spiral stairs to the upper level to find the master bedroom, complete with a walk in closet and private terrace.

Redwood Residence

Courtesy Modern House by ZeeMasterBrick

Northern California - (BTT) This house might not have an organic curve to be found, but that doesn't mean it isn't one with nature. Nestled among the mighty redwoods, this thoroughly modern abode embraces its surroundings while still making a statement of its own. Ample windows let you look out over the rocky terrain and freakishly tall flora, while the large cantilevered roof over the balcony allows you get a little fresh air while still feeling like you're securely inside.

Gaming Goodness

Courtesy Brickin' Games by DarthNick

D-Pad Drive - (BTT) The gaming industry is certainly at a bit of a crossroads lately. Physical copies or digital distribution? $60 epics or 99¢ time wasters? Analog sticks and buttons or motion controls and touch screens? Whether this is exciting or frightening is a matter of opinion, but the fine folks at Brickin' Games have done their finger exercises and are ready to code the next great blockbuster. Working in their Mies van der Rohe-esque modernist headquarters - the dark steel exterior contrasting brilliantly with the bright and cheery interior - this company truly has an office as slick as their products.

Trouser Troubles

Courtesy Modern House by Scrat_

Newville - (BTT) Houses don't get much more modern than this. The clean lines, the vertical windows, the muted, earthy palette - no doubt this is a masterwork of contemporary design. Yet despite the newness of it all, the sight of a man in his underwear on the sidewalk getting his pants thrown at him by his angry girlfriend from the balcony above is a story as old as time itself (or at least as old as pants).

Towering Above the Rest

Courtesy The Corner of 5th and Main by lgorlando

Corner of 5th and Main - (BTT) As urban sprawl continues unabated throughout much of the country, there are those rare developers that know there is another approach to building out - there's always the option of building up. Eight structures fill the block, giving a feeling of density rarely felt on such a tight space.  Mixing not only a variety of uses but also a variety of styles, from the traditional street fronts that would look at home on any historic Main Street in America to the modernist towers stretching ever upwards to the sky, the end result offers a little something for everyone.

New Kids on the Block

Courtesy Container House by Puriri deVry

Minimalist Lane- (BTT) Often, what we associate as 'modern architecture' is really done in a minimalist deign style. Using boxy shapes and unique arrangements of prefabricate pieces to try to elicit a unique shape and feel. Not too dissimilar from building with Lego bricks, which is why this MOC is such a striking example of what can be achieved. Using only basic Lego colours, and nothing more complex, Puriri deVry has created a hyper-realistic (if not hyper-common) representation of a type of building we are seeing more and more of these days.

Inspiration of the Day 4-26-12

Courtesy House in beach Palabritas by Archdaily 

Time for more inspiration! I'm truly a sucker for soft colours and shiny buildings, so this one jumped right out at me. This house, designed by Jose Orrego in Palabritas Beach, Lima, Peru has an amazing touch built into it. The rounded rectangle in the front of the building acts as as a "frame" to the beach and nearby islands on the other side of it. These curves would be a challenge to recreate in Lego, but if they were well achieved, the result would be beautiful. Get building!

I Can See for Miles and Miles...



Courtesy Terraced Street Corner by Dakar A

London, England- (BTT) Glasses are a really great invention, without them we would all be moles, with no sense of vision, feeling around our blurry surroundings with only our nose as a guide! While minifigures have had glasses since the first variation from the classic smile, they've never had somewhere to get them, until now! The Brick Glasses Shop is the #1 destination for minifigs of all sizes when less than 20/20 sight is not an option. With 3 fully furbished floors, including, but not limited to, a bathroom, kitchenette, and dumpster, this building is chock full of detail. And it's partner doesn't look bad either!

Full disclosure, this is my own MOC, but it absolutely destroyed my collection of tan bricks, to the point that I had to use two trips to a Pick-A-Brick wall to get the necessary parts. It's also the main reason why I've been posting somewhat infrequently lately, so I promise more juicy Modulars to come your way soon!

Orange Crush

Courtesy Modular Orange Bank by Myko

Bayveiw Boulevard- (BTT) Colour can make or break a building. If it has too much grey, it will be easy to mistake as a communist parking garage. But, on the other side, if there's too much colour, then it will look like your building belongs in candy land. This building by Christer Nyberg (Myko) is a great study in colour- the top has bright orange, but it is subtly offset with greys and dark orange. The street also has a lot of personality, with the smug bench sitter and the anxious banker. Just make sure you don't get too distracted by the building and miss your bus!

Modern Architecture

Courtesy Vee Building by Brickapolis

Indianapolis, Indiana- (BTT) Apartments aren't always blocky, boring, and repetitive. Sometimes, they're freestanding and unique. This fine building falls right into that category. From the "Vee" rooftop, to the glass-encapsulated bottom floor, this has all the traits of a modern city building. Apparently, it's not new enough to escape the touch of modern street art, or as the rest of us know it, graffiti. The large brick built street helps to draw the eye to the building, then it steadily progresses up to the skylight at the top, ending in a pleasing overall view.

Inspiration of the day- 4-1-12

Cité Municipale de Bonneuil-Sur-Marne by Archdaily

These days inspiration always seems to be from the world around us, and sometimes, just our imaginations. But sometimes, it's nice to take a dive into the imagination of another person. This excellent concept image of the Cité Municipale de Bonneuil-Sur-Marne shows many great concepts, while keeping a modern, restrained facade, and showcasing the inside with its glass exterior. It creates a great flow, between the interior working space, and the exterior, natural world. The building helps define the landscape, showcasing man's ingenuity, while still showing appreciation of mother nature.

Welcome! Come in, be seated!

Courtesy Overdale Townhouse by Dakar A

Bonjour!

Hello! I'm not really French, but it's a great way to break the ice! I'm Duncan,and along with Jonathan and Chris, I am the newest author on Brick Town Talk. Some of you may know me from Eurobricks or Flickr as Dakar A. I'm also proud to be a TFOL, or Teen Fan of Lego, for those unfamiliar with the jargon. That means less income to buy parts and pieces from Bricklink, but I try my hardest to best use what I have.

I'm a Town builder by heart, since the first set I remember getting is a Town firetruck. I had my own sort of strange dark ages, where I followed kid hobbies besides Lego, only really getting back in with the Creator Street Speeder and the Green Grocer. And as the story goes, I now have a tiny city taking up a few square feet of my bedroom! Outside of Lego, I play the French Horn, enjoy Ska music,am a Life Scout (5 merit badges away from Eagle!), and am enrolled in the Cambridge AICE program.

I hope to be posting the best the Internet has to offer in Lego buildings on here, as often as possible. Which means more MOCs for you! I'm glad to be an author, and promise not to make anymore posts all about me!

CourtesyCigarette boat by Dakar A