Adam Tucker´s great architecture models now produced by TLG

[hamilton]

too many people are influenced by scale in the Lego world....

in my opinion,

'big' does not often equal 'good'.

i am impressed by imagination, and building technique,

not by part counts.

These new sets are very representative of traditional architecture models,

hence the basic and rather 'plain' appearance.

This does not make them bad models, just different in style to those previously released by TLG.

Except (of course) Modulex.....

[Svelte]

I think people are missing the point with these sets. These are not play models or AFOL collector items - they're souvenirs, designed as such and sold in places where people who are interested in architecture can pick them up, presumably at a modest price. Chicago is a peculiarly appropriate choice as well, as it has many unique buildings but also a strong culture of getting the public involved in discussions about architecture. For example, the Chicago Architecture Foundation is held up as a model worldwide of an organisation that gets members of the public excited about architecture, particularly through talks, tours and visits to the buildings involved. On that basis, the simple design and limited release are perfectly targeted for this launch.

Personally I don't care for the designs, but the interesting thing about this line is that Lego has launched an entire subtheme - not just a Factory model - in conjunction with an AFOL

[prateek]

HEYY! that adam guy copied me. i made a slightly larger scale sears tower in 2006 after my trip to chi-town aka the windy city aka chicago

[AgentRick]

Wasn't there a Sears tower released by Lego a few years back in one of the factory sets?

[Section8]

Glad to see my hometown gets the first sets in this line. First real skyscraper was in Chicago so it's only fitting. Probably won't build them as they are as people said just a bunch of black bricks. The real appeal to me is the boxes. That would make them the first sets I owned but didn't open.

[Deinonychus]

svelte_corps nailed it...these are great little souvenirs. It would be nice if LEGO continued this sort of thing with other towers worldwide. Then it'd become a nice little collecting challenge.

Honestly, I'm shocked and amazed people aren't bitching up a storm in this thread because they don't come with any Clonetroopers with new colored armor

[Lt. Col. Thok]

Honestly, I'm shocked and amazed people aren't bitching up a storm in this thread because they don't come with any Clonetroopers with new colored armor

Why aren't there any new colored clone troopers? I want colored clone troopers!!!

Looking at these, I would say that my final answer is that these would make great paperweights/desk decorators. Maybe I'll get one for my dad for his birthday as an excuse to buy one.

[Hewman]

I'm afraid I have to agree with this.

I have to disagree, it's also black plates and tiles!

I think they're a cool idea as a souvenir but as a collectable lego set they don't excite me.

[Corvus]

Hmm, this thread just made me realize that we need to start teaching our kids about architecture and famous structures. I've heard of Sears tower, but that's about it. Ah well, Google should help with that...

I might have to pass these up, but if we get a LEGO St. Luis Arch, Burj Dubai Tower, or ooh, the Space Needle.

[WhiteHexagon]

These sets have some real potential, certainly for tourists / locals, but to me it looks like wasted packaging for only 69 black bricks.

Personally I'd be a lot more interested if such a series was designed for famous landmarks all around the world, and most important, as a single collection. This would require setting a common scale, and probably alot more bricks per set. Otherwise those towers are gonna look a bit out of place next to the current iffel tower set (not saying this is a good scale). But I do like the idea of visiting somewhere in the world and coming back with some LEGO souveniers rather than the normal junk they try to push on you!

Peter

[phoinix]

all i can say is that i like the box art...and thats about it..

but i dont get what these sets are..are they promos for a new line??

[Shakar]

no offence to anyone, but how are these supposed to be 10+? Like Athos said, they're just a bunch of black pieces to me.

Shakar

[hamilton]

Yay!!

i like bricks...

simple, yes,

62 bricks, easy yes!

me build good! ...........

[Dragonator]

Awesome, I love these! They should only be about $10, considering the piece count, but they'll probably be around $20 because they are only in the gift shops... :hmpf_bad.

$22 USD actually. At least on the Chicago Architecture Foundation Shop they are. Use the link, and then search the keyword LEGO. Accordingly, these sets are limited to only 1250 copies each (first edition that is). Looking at the price plus shipping to NZ though, I think I'll have to pass.

You know, I think these sets look really nice. Yes, they have a very simple design, and are in one colour, but then, large-scale architecture usually does have a simple design, and is not usually bright pink with splashes of lime. I think these models are a reflection of true, simple architecture, how it should be seen. Take a lesson from it people.

[Zarkan]

For once I must totally agree with Athos. I appreciate that TLC is trying something new, but..... these sets honestly look like some of the most boring specials we've ever gotten from TLC.

[Eilif]

I just checked out the architecture foundation shop. It's neat to see LEGO in there, but I agree with the folks that said the sets aren't remotely worth the price. I don't rule out purchasing them simply as a reflection of my love for Chicago and LEGO, but I forsee alot of parents seeing them built and saying "I spent 20 bucks on that?". I'll be curious to see if future additions to the line have more interesting pieces, and designs or if they will continue to be based around basic brick.

I'm so glad to see LEGO cooperating with independent companies, that I am hesitant to critizize these buildings, but I have to say that after living in it's shadow for 4 years, the Hancock building model does not really capture the essence of that structure. Admittedly the gentle angle of the sides, and the charachteristic diagonal cross beams are hard to capture in a small scale LEGO model, but I'm not entirely convinced that most folks from chicago who were shown that model would say it was the John Hancock building. Even with the round parking ramp on the side and the notable top story windows, I think folks might be as inclined to guess it was the Sears Tower.

That said, the Sears Tower lends it'self perfectly to LEGO, and Mr Tucker's instantly recognizable Sears model perfectly captures the essence of that iconic structure.

[Athos]

I guess if they are trying to emulate architectural modeling, then they're ok for that. Though I don't know how big of a market there is for that. Something with a slightly larger scale with more details (i.e. windows), like the Skyline factory set (or larger), would be a lot more interesting.

Steve

[yovnocrats]

so these are only available at gift shops at lego related places? that's a shame, i'm interested in these...

[xzanfr]

I like these little sets and think they're ideally suited for their intended task... to sit on your desk as a souvenier rather than being a building challenge. They seem to be aimed at adults rather than kids as they isn't much play value with them.

It would be good to see the theme extended to other cities but it's a great start making the buildings from the 'birthplace of the skyscraper'....... Las Vegas is just crying out to be modeled in this way!

[JimBee]

$22 USD actually. At least on the Chicago Architecture Foundation Shop they are. Use the link, and then search the keyword LEGO. Accordingly, these sets are limited to only 1250 copies each (first edition that is). Looking at the price plus shipping to NZ though, I think I'll have to pass.

You know, I think these sets look really nice. Yes, they have a very simple design, and are in one colour, but then, large-scale architecture usually does have a simple design, and is not usually bright pink with splashes of lime. I think these models are a reflection of true, simple architecture, how it should be seen. Take a lesson from it people.

...Tourist traps are terrible! 22 bucks for 69 bricks (haha 69... ) that could be bricklinked or even found in your spare parts box(s).

[Wout]

It's nice for TLC, to do something new, although I've never heard before from this Sears Tower.

I don't think I would buy it. It is especially nice if your live in Chicago or doing something like work there.

[RoldanTTLB]

Good evening! I've read this forum for a while, but after reading this thread, I decided to join. When I heard about these sets I had to order them immediately. I'm a huge architecture buff, and I love Lego, so this seemed like just about the perfect intersection of the two interests. Anyway, the comments in this thread have been pretty disparaging to me. First, the John Hancock Center and the Sears Tower are the two most famous Skyscrapers in the world, and until some of the newer Chicago buildings are finished (Trump and the Spire for example) they are the symbols of Chicago. Here are the wikipedia article links for those of you so inclined:

John Hancock Center

Sears Tower

Now for the sets. They are really unique builds. I know they may look like a pile of bricks, but they are, in fact, very well thought out models. They make great use of the 2x1 plates for setbacks and other architectural touches. Below are a few photos I took of them. Please excuse the quality, it's a good camera, but bad lighting in my kitchen. The biggest complaint I can agree with is the price, but even that is minor for sets that are this limited and this unique. There is also a shot below showing the next 2 models from the manual. They actually have a photo of both buildings built in the manual, and they are instantly recognizable. Anyway, if anyone has any questions about the sets that these photos don't answer, please let me know. Oh, one last thing, the name of the building is actually printed on the brick, it's not a sticker.

[Cyclone Titan]

Wow, the first buildings of a nice looking line are both based in my hometown, that rocks! Now, yes, they are a bunch of black bricks, but theres 2 white antennas! But thats besides the point, I find these sets kinda cool, and I guess I'm a bit bias because Chicago's where I live . Yet I don't know what that cylinder is next to the John Hancock, its either the worlds largest trash can, or its the parking lot. One of the two.

CT

Edited July 23, 2008 by Cyclone Titan

[Eilif]

Yet I don't know what that cylinder is next to the John Hancock, its either the worlds largest trash can, or its the parking lot. One of the two.

CT

You're close, the cylnder is the parking ramp. it spirals up about 5 stories, and then enters the Hancock building with all actuall parking inside the Hancock. I'm not sure on the exact floors, but IIRC floors 5-10 are parking, with shopping below, and everything else above. When you look at the building from the ground you can tell the parking floors by the different color light coming from the windows.

Edited July 23, 2008 by Eilif

[Eilif]

Adam tucker was on public radio this morning. They were very positive about him and what his business represents for LEGO, but even the commentator mentioned the price as a downside to the product. According to the report the Space needle and the empire state building are next and will be out later this year.

I have to say that I am now leaning toward purchasing the current offerings, even if only to support a fellow AFOL and show a little Chicago pride.

Edited July 24, 2008 by Eilif