Future Perfect

Riverside Apartments by Snaillad

Next Sunday A.D. - The future is a hard thing to predict, as anyone who plays the ponies or the stock market can attest to. Ask a person 50 years ago what things would be like today and no doubt they would describe a place with far less wheels on the cars while the phones would still hang on walls rather than sitting in pockets. Those still waiting for the government-issued jumpsuits and monthly ration of food pills to arrive in the mail might need a bit more patience, but for others the future is here now. With walls as sparkling white as the caps of the sea and plenty of balconies from which to enjoy it, this little slice of utopia has everything a weary time traveler could want (jetpack not included).

Miami Nice

Courtesy Colony Hotel by Daniel Siskind

Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Florida - (BTT) Few places in the world are so intrinsically linked to an architectural style as Miami Beach is to Art Deco. Cruising down Ocean Drive is an experience the exists no where else on earth, and among the pastel-colored Streamline Moderne hotels that line the street, the Colony stands especially iconic. Built in 1939, the hotel and the neighborhood weren't always as glamorous as they are today - in a bit of irony, it was thanks in part to shows like Miami Vice and movies like Scarface depicting the rather seedy state of the area in the 1980's that helped renew interest in South Beach and assuring landmark status for gems like this.

Hermit Habitats

Courtesy Cliffside Monastery by Paul Vermeesch

Chastity Cliff - (BTT) It's one thing to want to get away from it all and find a nice little place to yourself by the sea to unwind as a vacation - it's another thing to make it your life. Further from society but closer to his creator, this lonely monk has just the sounds of the ocean below to keep him company. Fortunately, he also has a humble abode that might be small in footprint but is big on details. The clean, white stucco walls give a nice contrast to the surrounding landscape and provides the perfect blank backdrop for a lifetime of meditation.

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.

Back From The Dead

Apology Avenue - (BTT) It's been a looong time. Far from being abducted by aliens or going on a secret government assignment to save the world from some genetic experiment gone wrong, alas these two months off are for a far less worthy reason - I've been busy playing with plastic bricks. I'm guessing I'm not alone, though. What started as one week off turned to two turned to many more, and I do humbly apologize for the complete lack of updates. I know many of you have been checking in regularly only to leave without your Lego architecture fix, and to that I say sorry and thank you for your patience.

As a small consolation, I submit below a peek at my own latest creations - two cast iron inspired modulars that those who live in or around the NYC area can currently see in the flesh by visiting the Lego Store at Rockefeller Center - they should remain there through November. These were originally done as part of ILUGNY's stunning display at the recent New York Comic Con, but sadly only the grey one was ready in time.

Courtesy Cast Iron District by sonicstarlight

If you created a stunning project that you feel was unfairly ignored in the BTT hiatus, or if you want to nominate someone else's work for consideration, please email me, send me a flickr mail, or just respond to this topic. Again, thank you all for your continued support - it really is appreciated.

Basic Brilliance

Courtesy City Residential Pack #3 by Brick City Depot

London, Britain- (BTT) If it ain't broken, don't fix it. A classical adage that came from who knows where, but still as prevalent today as when it was first uttered. Modular (or terraced) housing and buildings follow this quite well: build an attractive building, build another, paint it a different color, rinse and repeat. But, just because they're similar doesn't make these buildings any less unique. A great example of how one doesn't need a vast palette of colors to create a great MOC or Modular Building. Let this example inspire you, and get building!

Culture Chronicled

Courtesy Museum of History by TheDarkblane

Museum Mile - (BTT) Perhaps the hardest part about going to a museum is deciding which one is worth your time. While there are some good all-purpose palaces of the past out there, others are oddly specific - is it really worth spending your day at a place devotes solely to thimbles, corkscrews, or Spam (the meat in a can, not the emails promising to enhance your you-know-what). The Museum of History knows that variety is the spice of life and offers a whole host of interesting exhibits, from medieval costumes to Asian artifacts to air and space. 

Rock Polishing

Courtesy Jewelery Store by Watzking3

Bay Street- (BTT) While the customer base may not be as frequent as a grocery store, or its purpose as noble as the fire station, the humble jewelery store is something that the world wouldn't be the same without. Since the beginning of time, humans have been attracted with shiny things, and one day, some smart huminoid got the idea to start selling these shiny things for as high a price as they could. And thus, the jeweler's was born! This MOC has many great features, but I particularly like the piqued roof, and the large front porch. Shows just what you can do with all that moolah!

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.

Painted Lady

Courtesy San Francisco Victorian House by Brick City Depot

San Francisco, California, U.S.A.- (BTT) In sharp contrast from yesterday's post, here's a building that could've easily fallen into disrepair, if not for the passionate efforts of a small group of people in San Francisco. Based of of San Francisco's Painted Ladies, this great little Victorian Modular fits the bill of a beautiful, older house in a sparkly, new city. The combination of dark green, white, and dark tan works especially well on this MOC, as well as the tall outdoor staircase. The building also sports a full interior, complete with excellently designed bath and bed!

Natural Beauty

Courtesy Museum of Natural History by RedCoKid

New York, New York- (BTT) When it comes to places to visit in New York, the Natural History Museum is often mentioned. Not only is it the subject of some movies (Night in the Museum), it's also a national landmark. When it comes to recreating such a famous building, RedCoKid (Rox Your Blox) doesn't disappoint. And not only is it a faithful recreation, it's also a Modular Building! The dome at the top is worthy of much note, using angle plates and curved slopes to recreate the shape. The building also makes use of another ancient artifact: the grey brick bricks from Helm's Deep!

Also, sorry about the lull in posting over the last week, I had computer issues, and Jonathan was on vacation! We'll be back to posting semi-regularly now, but in the meantime, you guys keep on building, and post your MOCs to the Cafe Corner pool on Flickr. It's a surefire way to make sure we see it!

Too Cool for School

Courtesy Pool Party by eilonwy77

Los Angeles, California- (BTT) For kids and teens in a hot weather climate, nothing is more refreshing on a hot summer's day than a swimming pool. Not only is there no salt to get in your eyes, it's private, can be accessed all the time, and you can swim AND snack, all at the same time. With this great pool deck scene, Katie (eilonwy77) has managed to fit in all of the feelings of summer into a beautiful little package. The curved wall, pool raft, multi-level deck, and great trees all come together to make this vibrant scene one of note!

Coco before Chanel

Coutersy No. 5 by Jared Chan

Los Angeles, California- (BTT) L.A.- The land of the rich and famous. Style. Glamour. Fashion, from around the world- Milan, Geneva, and Paris. Coco Channel has been a fashion icon for near 100 years now, and so it is fitting that their store gets a beautiful Modular building treatment. The amazing white-on-black with gold overlay colour scheme, the central tower, and the interior are just a few notable high points of this beautiful building. Because, why spend your money down the street at some other fashion store, when this beauty is within your field of vision?

London Calling

Courtesy Georgian Townhouse by snaillad

Belgravia, London - (BTT) They sure don't make them like they used to - not that any of us could afford such a lavish home today. Certainly the height of luxury back when it was finished in at the turn of the 20th century, this Georgian townhouse spared no expense. Inside the opulence continues - from the reception area to the dining room to the master bedroom, every space has been thoughtfully considered.

Corner Teahouse Gotham City

from RighteousSquid's Brickshelf gallery

New Camera and New Building

The white building is under construction, but I'm glad with how the new camera turned out. I really like the lighting that I caught on this one. I might change the white to a more rare color, but I still have to think that one over. Hopefully I can get this building completed within the month or so, so stay tuned!

Port Seaside

I don't know how it happened, but lgorlando managed to post something without it immediately getting blogged here. Here it is now:

from lgorlando's Flickr photostream