Winter Village: Orphanage

[Bricknave]

Hello and Happy Holidays! This is my entry for the "Expand the Winter Village" contest.

On the edge of the winter village sits the Orphanage, where unfortunate children are housed. However, the usual gloomy mood of the Orphanage's residents has changed, because Santa has brought toys to all the Children! The caretakers are relieved -- it has been a long time since the children have been happy!

Santa gets a snack while the children begin opening their presents!

Hmmm, there isn't much food in the kitchen, is there?

Makes you wonder how the poor orphans are able to survive with so little food.

The bedroom is awfully cramped, isn't it?

The orphans now have a toy train to play with and share!

Here is a link to the full picture set on my Flickr Photostream.

Thanks for viewing, and Happy Holidays!

[Fuzzylegobricks]

Very good job!

it reminds me of the broadway show "Annie"

My friend was in it last night!

[prateek]

The exterior is very gloomy, but the interior is wonderful! Great job expressing the orphans' joy on Christmas

[lightningtiger]

AWESOME just AWESOME for the sake of this MOC being filled with the true spirit of Christmas, I wish you luck 'Bricknave' and keep on with that Christmas spirit !

[admDaggett]

Same here as praatek - outside isn't very much fitting to the winter village (IMO) but I guess, you have to have something like that for an orphanage.

But the inside is just pure awesomeness - very detailed and I love the train.

Ah, and the food of course is stored in the shelves. :-)

[L@go]

I see what you guys mean when you say the outside isn't all that appealing - but I have to say my favorite feature of it all is still found on the exterior: That lovely Christmas wreath above the door is just the perfect touch!

Edited December 12, 2010 by L@go

[Maegnus]

Wow. Loving this MOC. The beds and the toy train are my favourites. You achieved a very cold look from the exterior too. Great job!

[WesternOutlaw]

I love the little bedroom, esp. the pictures.

[XimenaPaulina]

I must say I really like the stark contrast between the exterior and the interior. The relatively gloomy external design evokes a somber atmosphere typical of orphanages, but when you come inside it's nice to see how bright and lively the atmosphere is, showing the true spirit of Christmas - giving joy to those who need it the most. Among the batch of entries, I think this is one of my favorites not only becuase it is well-built but due to the inspiring message it conveys.

Great job Bricknave and I wish you the best in the competition.

[peterab]

I love your idea for this MOC, a bit more traditional fairy tale with dark overtones. I really like the toy train too.

I love the little bedroom, esp. the pictures.

I actually wondered if these are the dead mum and dad

[Vincent Kessels]

The christmas wreath on the outside is nice. I was thinking it could use some more red and gold, but it is a poor orphanage after all.

[MightySlickPancake]

Impressive moc Bricknave. I love the details like the pictures in the bedroom and childrens presents. Well done . Good luck.

Thanks, CB

[sens1992]

Well done bricknave. I really like the scene with santa and the kids! Merry Christmas!

[buddy]

Great entry! I too particularly like the bedroom with the pictures.

Very well done.

~buddy~

Edited December 13, 2010 by buddy

[Bricknave]

Thank you all for the compliments.

I understand what many of you are saying about the exterior. I initially wanted the exterior to be happier, which was why I placed the wreath there, but it ended up looking gloomy even still. I was also trying for a scene with a light-up brick shining through the stained glass window.

However, like many of you have pointed out, the fact that the orphanage is gloomy even though children are having a wonderful holiday shows that holiday spirit can exist anywhere.

I actually wondered if these are the dead mum and dad

Thanks for pointing that out! I never really thought of the people in the pictures to be the parents of the children. I had a rough concept of them being the parents of the maids and founders of the orphanage, but I think what you mentioned suits them better.

Happy holidays, everyone!

[FlashBricks]

That train is just great, that would be a nice set for advent calendar.