Mini Modular Mania!

Courtesy XJ550, Mr. Attacki, Dakar A, and dhaas06 (In order)

Mini Modular Mania- (BTT) Over on Toys n' Bricks, a contest has been running since February 15th, and is slated to run until this Sunday, April 15th. From the pool of amazing entries, I have drawn a few good examples of what the competition looks like, and all four are great looking buildings that would look good in Mini- or regular Modular scale. So pop on over on the 15th, and help to send a deserving Lego fan a copy of this year's modular, 10224 Town Hall.

If the Shoe Fits...

Courtesy Star Athletic Shoe Shop by L. G. Orlando

1 Towncenter Drive- (BTT) According to the shop's catalogues and weekly inserts, Spring has sprung, and what better time to trade out that grimy pair of sneakers at home for a fresh, shiny and new pair? When you've got a hankering for slightly overpriced footwear, stop at the beautiful Star Footwear and Apparel shop. From the amazingly well-executed shoe sign on the second floor, to the professional-quality stickers, L. G. Orlando crams about as much detail as anyone would care to try to add to his open-backed buildings. This one is no exception.

Ivy Lane Pub Crawl

Courtesy Arthur's Pub by Ace Copeland

Heritage Boulevard- (BTT) Irish pubs seem to be a popular theme in modular buildings these days. That makes it much harder to have yours stand out. Luckily, this one has what it takes. The upstairs balcony, the cast-iron fence around the tree out front, and the Irish flag adorning the side all make this to be an eye-pleasing building. The beautiful signage is a work of art in its own, with the excellent shamrock logo and hand-drawn nameplate. After all, when stopping down to the pub for a few tall ones, who doesn't want to be wowed by the facade?

Turning the Corner

Courtesy 1940s Corner  by snaillad

A Good 70 Years Ago - (BTT) There is just something about the period between the World Wars that evokes a certain level of nostalgia, despite the fact that most who feel this way were born far too late to experience the era themselves. The fashion, the cars, the fact milk was delivered right to your door - things simultaneously foreign yet strangely familiar. At the top of the list, at least in this authors opinion, was the glorious Art Deco architecture, and this scene is blessed with 3 postcard-worthy examples of the style. On the far left is a tailor (does anyone even go to those anymore?), at the corner is a bar, and on the right is a bakery. Each have interiors as well thought-out as the exteriors, proving once and for all that they really don't make 'em like they used to.

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.

Best rates in town!

Courtesy MOC7 by The LostLostBoy

Financial district- (BTT) These days, banks will do just about anything to draw in customers. Silly slogans, memorable pitch lines, rebrandings. But sometimes, a bank is there. And has been since the last great war, or at least as long as you can remember. This beautiful Art Deco style bank is no exception. From the friendly patrons out front, to the not-so-friendly felon out back, it's crammed full of great detail. Just be careful that your significant other doesn't splurge the money from your loan on some jewelry upstairs.

What I've Been Up To

Courtesy 15 Central Park West by Jonathan Grzywacz

New York, New York - (BTT) If you noticed a bit of a lull in posting the past month, I am proud to finally share with you the major factor behind it - I was hard at work on the above model of Robert A.M. Stern Architect's 15 Central Park West, which is now on display in Washington, DC as part of the National Building Museum's exhibit LEGO Architecture: Towering Ambition. It was a true challenge to get it done (only 6 weeks when I tend to take 6 months on a modular), but I am very happy with the end result. It stays on display until Sept 3, 2012, so should you find yourself in the nation's capital (well, the United State's anyway), I urge you to make the trip - it's a great museum with many other interesting exhibits to take in.

Many more stats are in the description on my flickr page.

Roadkill Grill

Courtesy Look both ways... by Eilonwy77

Roadkill Lane- (BTT) Sometimes, you're driving, and have to make a choice: do I protect the $30,000 hunk of metal, or that cute, furry little creature. Apparently, this little hedgehog was determined to be the lesser of two evils. Great little details make this scene- the grooves in the street, the cobbled sidewalk, the wooden backyard fence, and a great use of a Friends sticker. The house fits right in with its cousins, the other creator houses. Too bad it's got the ghost of a cute animal haunting it...

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.

Exit Through the Tat Shop

Courtesy VirtuaLUG Layout by Tigmon74

San Francisco, California - (BTT) Real estate values have just gone up in a city where they are plenty high already thanks to a certain British artist who has left his signature mark on the side of a building that does the same to human flesh. Graffiti aside, there is a lot to love about this pair of buildings - it's worth taking a closer look at the sports bar on the corner to appreciate some of the clever detailing there. Residents of the apartments above can even enjoy a bit of sun on their roof terraces, assuming they can find a break in the fog.