The Vault Savings No Loan

The Vault is a coin bank made of LEGO bricks.  It has a secret door that opens in three steps. Only its creator knows the correct sequence.  Of course you could smash it on a concrete floor but it would be like blowing up your local bank to make a withdrawal : it is not advisable.

La Voûte est une tirelire faite de briques LEGO.  Elle possède une porte secrète qui s’ouvre en trois étapes.  Seul son créateur en connaît la séquence.  Bien sûr, on pourrait toujours la fracasser sur une surface de ciment mais ce serait comme faire sauter votre banque pour y faire un retrait : pas recommandable…

Building Utopolis - Phase 1

The ultimate master plan of Utopolis is laid out in the orthogonal method.  Eight-brick high bridges serve as the grid to which buildings are attached.  The City is conceived to sit on a shallow body of water - perhaps extending from the shore of a lake of the ocean.  The modular design of the structures make the arrangement flexible and allow a continuous expansion.  The following photos show the first official assembling of the metropolis in 2006.

Le plan ultime d’Utopolis s’organise autour de la grille orthogonale.  Des ponts de huit briques de hauteur relient les différents édifices.  La Ville est conçue pour être développée sur une surface d’eau à partir des rives d’un lac ou d’un océan. Le design modulaire permet des arrangements versatiles et une expansion continuelle de la Ville.  Les photos qui suivent montrent le premier assemblage officiel de la métropole en 2006.

Darth Vader Skyhook by Paul Yperman

Skyhooks are structures orbitting Coruscant and are owned by important persons to keep their precious things safe rather than having them on the surface. Darth Vader owned several of them. Circular structures are always a challenge in LEGO building and this one shows a great mastering of the medium.  This piece is made of 6900 pieces.

http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/193521

Microcities Series : Luseville - The Final Post

Luseville is a 64x64 microcity created by JD Luse from Washington State, USA.  Visit this city at http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/84505

Microcities Series : Shannonia

Microcities made from LEGO bricks are probably the easiest way to create your own private megalopolis.  The tiny scale enables its creator to play God at a stroke of several fingers. Add a hi-rise or a mountain here, lay a park or a beach there.  Move buildings around or redo the entire city grid.  One of a fine example of this expression comes from one of my favorite builders Shannon Young.  This microcity, shamelessly named Shannonia, is an ever-expanding playground of urban planning and economic realities. Take a tour, the Visitors Center is at http://www.mocpages.com/folder.php/16332

World Iconic Skyscraper : The Empire State Building

When thinking about skyscrapers there is one particular structure that comes to mind : New York City’s Empire State Building.

Construction began during the Great Depression on January 22, 1930 and the masonry for the structure was completed on May 1, 1931. It took a mere 410 days to be completed. A record by any standard.  That is about the time it took me to design, collect the bricks and assemble this six-foot version shown here.  This LEGO model faithfully shows all 102 floors and 6,500 windows of the original building. The Empire State Building remained the tallest building in the city until it lost that title to the World Trade Center ‘s twin towers in 1973.  The disastrous fate of the latter gave the monument its title back. This landmark is the most extravagant example of the extension of the neoclassical style with inspiration of Art Deco.

Gratte-ciels Emblématiques du Monde : L’Empire State Building

Une des premières structures qui nous vient à l’esprit lorsque pense gratte-ciel est l’Empire State Building de New York.  Sa construction a débutée durant la Grande Dépression, le 22 janvier 1930 et il fut terminée le premier mai, 1931.  Un temps record de 410 jours; ce qui equivaut au temps que j’ai pris pour le design, pour accumuler les briques et les assembler afin de créer cette version de six pieds de hauteur.  Ce modèle en LEGO montre les 102 étages et les 6500 fenêtres de l’édifice original. Longtemps le plus haut gratte-ciel de la ville il fut détrôné par les tour jumelles du World Trade Center en 1973.  Le destin tragique de ces dernières permit à l’Empire State Building de regagner son titre.  Ce monument est un des exemples les plus extravagants du style néo-classique d’inspiration Art Déco.

Building Utopolis Brikd

The journal of Building Utopolis is now found on BRIKD. The creations, the history, the present and future of this imaginary plastic city can be followed right here.

Le Journal de Building Utopolis se trouve maintenant sur BRIKD.  Les créations, l’histoire, le present et futur de cette ville imaginaire en plastique peuvent être suivis ici-même.

Star Wars' Coruscant : A Favorite

The planet city of Coruscant is one of LEGO user’s recurring inspirational model.  There are many versions at different scales created by builders all over the World.  Here are three example if found noteworthy…

Pelican Ship Catches Attention

This is Michael Labelle’s first try at ship design.  This sturdy model has four retractable wings, a stylish glass hatch and shock absorbers.  It has been seen hanging between the Twin Towers and on the refrigerator’s door.

Shuttles Connect Twins Midway

The double-decked landing strip (see June 8, 2009 Post) or other bridges designed in the past are replaced today with two monorails traveling between the towers at a rate of one per minute.  Gone are the days when one had to dangerously walk across runways and brave the winds.  

Twin Towers' Base Remodeled

The ground and water access to the Twin Towers are now functional again.  Stair-shaped platforms were attached to the base creating entrances on two sides of each towers.  Also the three wings shaping the first fourteen floors of the hexagonal towers are almost completed.

Labor Omnia Vincit & Co Acquires Decaying Utopolis Property

The Empire Twin Towers were purchased directly from eEstate the Empire’s unreal estate arm. The amount of the transaction was not disclosed but source says the Empire was eager to unload the battered structures and were unusually accommodating.  The lower floors of the towers have been abandoned for years as all the commercial and communication activities were conducted at higher altitude, accessible only by air. Elements of the base are crumbling and many beams are just hanging from the structure although the graphite foundation core remains untouched. LOV says it plans a complete redesigning of the water and ground access and the reconstruction of the Tower’s lower floors.