Modular Building Sets - Rumours and Discussion

[Herky]

Thanks Rick, I know about nonnative English speakers, for even though you assume I am one, well you might just be incorrect. If the site is going to be done in English, then those that are non native English speakers should understand English syntax...trust me it takes years to figure it out, but it can be done, that said if Dharkan said no insult was meant, then I will take that at face value, it certainly comes across that way though, sometimes no comment is better than having to chime in.

[Rick]

I know about nonnative English speakers, for even though you assume I am one, well you might just be incorrect.

I was referring to Dharkan, not you.

If the site is going to be done in English, then those that are non native English speakers should understand English syntax...trust me it takes years to figure it out, but it can be done, that said if Dharkan said no insult was meant, then I will take that at face value, it certainly comes across that way though, sometimes no comment is better than having to chime in.

We try to be as welcoming as possible to members from all over the world. You certainly can't expect everyone to perfectly understand all the ins and outs of the English language before we let them post here. I didn't see anything wrong with Dharkan's post, and I certainly didn't read it the way you read it, but that probably has to do with my imperfect knowledge of the language.

The other point I was trying to bring across in my earlier post is that, if you have a problem with someone's posting behaviour, report it and let us deal with it.

Now let's get this thread back on topic.

[finnbricker]

But of course the 31026's scale is all wrong from a modular perspective. It's too small in every way. However, it is relatively easy to mod the 31026 into a modular that, the architectural details of the original preserved, fits quite nicely in with the official modulars. Here's my example:

City buildings can of course be modularized, as well, but whereas you get the scale right, the architecture just doesn't fit in unless you mod it seriously. The buildings are just too plain.

Let me try to prove my point with this very quick LDD creation based on 7641/60031 City Corner. I've tried to stay true to the original but have added some details around the windows to make it a little less plain. Even so, it stands out as plain and dull compared to the 31026 MOD.

Having said that, I have to admit that this City MOD is appealing in its own way, too. It has a kind of German-Scandinavian 1950s vibe to it, and if you look at such buildings in real life, they really are very plain.

Edited July 2, 2014 by finnbricker

[Off the wall]

Nice work, finnbricked. If 60031 City Corner had a less boring first floor (too much glass....needs more bricks) and something (flowers, architectural detail, whatever) under the second and third floor center window, then you'd really have a winner. Love the roof and the overall choice of colors.

But, like I said, good on all of your designs.

[elleana]

Some thoughts on 'cheap'-er modulars:

[For the avoidance of doubt, English is my native language]

(1) 16 x 32

Echoing what others have said, having half-sized modulars would be awesome. Whether brownstone apartments or just small shops with living quarters upstairs. I know there are oodles of great MOCs like that out there, in particular I'm a fan of Kristel's work. I've done some 32 x 32 MOCs and sometimes its tough filling in the interior spaces, even if its just the sheer volume of bricks required. Which brings me to my next point..

(2) Cheap-ness

Again, the first point has already been made - a 16 x 32 modular wouldn't necessarily be half the price of a 32 x 32 modular. I'm sure someone out there has done a detailed and thorough analysis, but my own perception is that as number of pieces in a set increases, cost per piece decreases. There are fixed costs that don't change whether a set has 300 or 3000 pieces. The other thing I would like to say is if cost goes down, part count goes down, and then you lose detail, which I'm sure to a lot of us if one of the selling points of the entire modular line. To put it less elegantly, cheap = less parts = less greebles.

(3) Bike Shop / Cafe

I am undecided about this. When it first came out I thought - 'whoa cool, cheap modular' - then I took a closer look and realized a fair bit work would be required to modularize it. And the MOCs I've seen so far have proven me right. A minimum of 2 sets and assorted extra parts are required to make it up to the modular standard, and that right away puts the cost significantly higher than a standard 32 x 32 modular. They look pretty good though, so if I find a couple of bike shops on the cheap I might pick them up. Some people have made the point that the set is a 'gateway modular' to introduce people to the modular standard. Again, not convinced. While cost is definitely closer to modular pricing than city pricing, un-modded it looks to me more like 'slightly more detailed city building' than 'slightly less detailed modular building'. And the inclusion of the 3 in 1 build leads me to believe that Creator is probably the 'correct' place for this set to be and is Lego's intention.

Edited July 3, 2014 by elleana

[Itsasecret581]

How difficult is the Bike Shop to mod into a modular? Would my time and money be better spent in simply designing my own building?

Edited July 3, 2014 by Itsasecret581

[glendo]

A minimum of 2 sets and assorted extra parts are required to make it up to the modular standard, and that right away puts the cost significantly higher than a standard 32 x 32 modular

Not in Australia at the moment. with the sales on right now, I can buy 4 x 31026 sets for the same price as 1x PS, GE or the TH. And with that many copies one could make a pretty good modular set.

[antp]

Would my time and money be better spent in simply designing my own building?

Most likely yes: at least you would have something unique/personal.

Modular Buildings in a Lego City are a little like Ikea furniture in an apartment: you find the same at everyone's home

[Itsasecret581]

Most likely yes: at least you would have something unique/personal.

Modular Buildings in a Lego City are a little like Ikea furniture in an apartment: you find the same at everyone's home

That's probably what I'll do then. Haven't worked out my modular design chops in a couple months.

[finnbricker]

How difficult is the Bike Shop to mod into a modular? Would my time and money be better spent in simply designing my own building?

I'd say the modularization process is relatively easy. My café turned bank, for example, only borrowed the existing designs. First I built the café according to the instrucions. Then I basically kept the backside as it was and used the facade with minor modifications plus built walls in between. It really didn't take very long and I think the result was quite good. An extra floor would be great, and it'll probably come with time. Check the bank here: http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=97151

In the same topic you'll also see my modularized bike shop. It took a little more time, effort and creativity but I could take advantage of many of the professionally designed features. Even if I would like to claim that my moccing skills are awesome, they really aren't and when I create something from scratch, it never turns out as complex, as diverse and as exciting as the MODs.

Building something according to the instructions is nice, but modding, where I can use my creativity but combine it with the professionality of the TLG designs, is even better.

Of course, this is only my opinion and recommendation but I would go for the MOD way. Buy two sets, make sure you have extra bricks, plates and tiles in the colours needed and start modding 31026! As far as money is concerned, I paid €140 for two 31026s, which is 10 euros less than a typical modular costs. The extra bricks mostly came from PAB walls and the amount used corresponds maybe to €20. So, for €160 I got one 32x32 corner modular and one 16x32 modular. Not bad, I think. You'll likely find yourself spending substantially more if you create something from scratch.

I haven't yet seen anyone else's modded 31026s. If you have links to any, I'd appreciate them!

Edited July 4, 2014 by finnbricker

[Itsasecret581]

I'd say the modularization process is relatively easy. My café turned bank, for example, only borrowed the existing designs. First I built the café according to the instrucions. Then I basically kept the backside as it was and used the facade with minor modifications plus built walls in between. It really didn't take very long and I think the result was quite good. An extra floor would be great, and it'll probably come with time. Check the bank here: http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=97151

In the same topic you'll also see my modularized bike shop. It took a little more time, effort and creativity but I could take advantage of many of the professionally designed features. Even if I would like to claim that my moccing skills are awesome, they really aren't and when I create something from scratch, it never turns out as complex, as diverse and as exciting as the MODs.

Building something according to the instructions is nice, but modding, where I can use my creativity but combine it with the professionality of the TLG designs, is even better.

Of course, this is only my opinion and recommendation but I would go for the MOD way. Buy two sets, make sure you have extra bricks, plates and tiles in the colours needed and start modding 31026! As far as money is concerned, I paid €140 for two 31026s, which is 10 euros less than a typical modular costs. The extra bricks mostly came from PAB walls and the amount used corresponds maybe to €20. So, for €160 I got one 32x32 corner modular and one 16x32 modular. Not bad, I think. You'll likely find yourself spending substantially more if you create something from scratch.

I haven't yet seen anyone else's modded 31026s. If you have links to any, I'd appreciate them!

That looks really nice! I'll consider modding one!

[Off the wall]

I see the GE is available again at Lego.com with an availability date on July 25th.

[Superfunk]

I haven't yet seen anyone else's modded 31026s. If you have links to any, I'd appreciate them!

Check out https://www.flickr.com/photos/ddoshin/ (I saw it at Kristel's blog, http://modularsbykristel.com).

[rollermonkey]

I see the GE is available again at Lego.com with an availability date on July 25th.

They probably are pulling the stock from the stores and will sell the remaining stock through the website. It happens all the time.

[talos]

They probably are pulling the stock from the stores and will sell the remaining stock through the website. It happens all the time.

I think so too, last chance.. there were none on the shelves at my Lego store, on Friday when I was there. I think all the stock is spoken for too, I noticed the GE appeared on the 25 top sellers on the USA S@H site...there must of been a run on it when it reappeared..

[craiggrannell]

I was looking at a Lego investor forum recently, and they appear to be snapping up the GE en masse, whenever any become available, in order to resell them in a year on eBay. I guess if anyone wants one to actually build, now's the time to snare one.

[Off the wall]

Isn't it getting to be about the time of year when we have the first word on what the next modular will be?

[syy89]

The GE is sold out again on S@H in both Canada and the US.

[ItsaBRICKS]

Isn't it getting to be about the time of year when we have the first word on what the next modular will be?

I think it usually comes out around now, I think August.

[Off the wall]

Well, lego.com US just let me order a GE. Shipping approx July 31st.

[Blakstone]

I did not think I would particularly care for Grand Emporium; however, building it make me really appreciate it. It was the same for the Fire Brigade for me. If you don't have GE, I would recommend it.

Hopefully, I will get to the point where I am not snatching these up just before they are gone.

[rockethead26]

Well that's interesting. I went online yesterday at shop.lego.us for a GE for a Christmas gift for our niece after reading Off the wall's recent post about the availability and shipping on the 31st.

I got the confirmation on the order and an email saying that it was backordered and would ship on July 31st. All was as expected.

Today, I got a ship notice! Now, the shop.lego.us site says that they are sold out again.

Heaven only knows what goes on sometimes at the LEGO warehouse.

My niece will be happy in a few months!

[rollermonkey]

As I understand end of life distribution, at a certain point, TLG starts having the LEGO Stores ship back remaining stock of the end of life items to make shelf space for newer sets.

Since the demand for sales at that point is all over the place from speculators and people making a last second purchase before it's gone, they don't actually know how many will get back to the S@H warehouses and when.

Some stores must have sent a bunch back, so your order was moved up. At some point, TLG will know that the last sets have been returned and there might be a very small window of time where they'll go on clearance and get snapped up in a couple minutes.

[Off the wall]

Being too lazy to get in the car and drive less than two miles to the lego store, I ordered the Mini Cooper from Lego.com this morning at about 430am eastern daylight time. The GE was available again. Then, an hour later, it was sold out.

Another small window. If you still want a GE, I would keep checking lego.com.

Go figure, eh?

Edited July 18, 2014 by Off the wall

[Spud The Viking]

Hello Eurobricks!

I have a problem that every time a new modular building comes out I cannot afford it. I scrimp and save all my pennies only to find I need to spend money on life . The question I need to ask is when do modular buildings retire? I thought the Grand Emporium was long gone but you can search it on Google where there is a link to the Lego shop where is can be seen fully stocked. I really want a Town Hall but money is hard to come by and there will be another expense. I do not want to miss this amazing set. So will it be out for long?

Thanks, Spud.

P.S. I am not here to scrounge anyone's Town Hall - maybe