Modular Building Sets - Rumours and Discussion

[Nexogeek]

After the Ninjago docks set, I wonder if we may see another related set that connects? If we do get a third I feel like it would have the robot tower thing shown on the box of the docks, since Ninjago City shown the pig (done like the puffer fish) and had it stand out in the box art and now its in the docks set, and the dock set has the robot tower stand out, just a prediction

[Faefrost]

On 2/2/2018 at 2:26 PM, AnnaBuildsLego said:

 

--

My question to people: How easy/difficult would it be to piece together the Town Hall? I've always sorely regretted missing that set because I adore it, but I was in my Dark Ages at the time of its release. Do you think I could relatively easily recreate it with the right parts? Thanks in advance to anyone who can give advice!

The Town Hall will be one of the harder, or more expensive Modulars to Bricklink, because it uses a huge amount of parts that were unique to that set in that Dark Orange color. Those dark orange profile bricks that go up the entire front facing really only came in that set. I don’t think there are many other good sources of the rest of the dark orange. Now if you change the color palett of the Town Hall it would greatly reduce its Bricklink cost. 

[Brick Dangerous]

6 hours ago, Nexogeek said:

After the Ninjago docks set, I wonder if we may see another related set that connects? If we do get a third I feel like it would have the robot tower thing shown on the box of the docks, since Ninjago City shown the pig (done like the puffer fish) and had it stand out in the box art and now its in the docks set, and the dock set has the robot tower stand out, just a prediction

From what I hear, there might be a D2C later this year.

And I'm not saying this just because it rhymes, that's just coincidence.

[Bricked1980]

Ok, so I know it's a bit early in the year to start speculating, but just wondered what would everyone like to see for the 2019 modular? Do you think it will be a hotel as hinted at in the designer video for DD?

Do you think they will carry on with the art deco style or will the set return to the more familiar style of past modulars?

[LegoModularFan]

Difficult question @Bricked1980. There are many things I would like as a modular, that’s what I’ll write here.

There are many architectural styles I love and I think they’ll not make another Art Deco modular as they make always different architectural buildings. I would really like to see an Art Nouveau, Baroque, Rococo and Gothic architecture even if those look impossible. I would also be very happy with two canal houses 16 wide like the PS (as written in my Negative Views about the Market Street topic by @AFOLguy1970). Know these architectures would totally clash with the DD but that’s what I would like to see.

 I think that the modular line still misses essential places for a city like an hospital, police station and school/university. I will also be very happy with a hotel, museum, post office and a big shopping mall with some stores, the interior of the GE doesn’t look as a real shopping mall.

BTW congrats for being Citizen 

 

Edited February 5, 2018 by LegoModularFan

[Bricked1980]

30 minutes ago, LegoModularFan said:

There are many architectural styles I love and I think they’ll not make another Art Deco modular as they make always different architectural buildings.

I agree, I don't think they'd do Art Deco 2 years in a row. I also think that after DD being such a distinct American building, next year's will probably revert to a more generic or European style.

I know a lot of people felt that DD was a conscious effort to push the modulars in to a new era away from the 1920's and 30's but personally I think the only reason that DD was set in the 1950's is because that was an obvious choice for a Diner. Lets face it a 1930's Diner wouldn't have worked anywhere near as well.

So I don't think there is any reason to assume that the next set will also be set in the 50's. I think it could easily go back to the 1930's or maybe even a different era altogether to suit whatever type of building they want to create. For instance - if they decided to release a modular discotheque then the obvious choice would be to give it a 1970's setting.

I think there are 2 safe bets for next year. I think the detailed faces are definitely here to stay on all future modulars and I think the next one will be a corner building if you go by the cycle of how often corner sets get released.

I hope next years isn't another food outlet, there are enough of those already. I would like to see a museum, post office, theatre, toy store or some other kind of shop. Actually I think a theatre would work really well and would give options for some lovely architectural details. Especially now that PC has been retired I think an old style theatre would be great.

30 minutes ago, LegoModularFan said:

BTW congrats for being Citizen 

Thanks, just one more post and you will hit this mile stone as well! 

Edited February 5, 2018 by Bricked1980

[Nexogeek]

29 minutes ago, LegoModularFan said:

tation and school/university. I will also be very happy with a hotel, museum, post office and a big shopping mall with some stores, the interior of the GE doesn’t look as a real shopping mall.

A museum would be awesome as a corner building, I know a while ago on Lego Ideas there was a really nice looking one with a T-Rex in the corner window. Maybe for a post office they'd do something like the detectives office where there is more then just the title place in the set like how there was a pool hall and barber shop. Something else that would be really cool is a toy store with a huge display in the window and a multi level open floor plan. 

[Bricked1980]

Further to my earlier post where I mentioned a modular theatre building, this is the sort of thing I had in mind.

I think a design like this is just begging to be made in to a modular. The ground floor could contain a small ticket office, the main stage and some seating. The second level would hold the balcony raised seating and on the top floor maybe dressing rooms or something like that for the actors.

Another thing I've always felt would work well would be a New York style newspaper reporters office. I think this would fit in very well with the Detectives Office.

Edited February 5, 2018 by Bricked1980

[paupadros]

2 hours ago, Bricked1980 said:

Further to my earlier post where I mentioned a modular theatre building, this is the sort of thing I had in mind.

I think a design like this is just begging to be made in to a modular. The ground floor could contain a small ticket office, the main stage and some seating. The second level would hold the balcony raised seating and on the top floor maybe dressing rooms or something like that for the actors.

Can't really see anything like this working, honestly. Tan... Way too tan... I bet you could pull off that tower somewhat decently. I would love a three-building complex in an ordinary straight 32x32. And talking by own experience here, a multi-building 32x32 modular is always more difficult to make work, but much cosier and warm than a Grand Emporium-style building.

But I'm almost certain next year is a corner unit (hoping it's not though). Some experimenting with those would be great, since the only ones we've recieved are rather classical and played safely.

[Bricked1980]

1 minute ago, paupadros said:

Can't really see anything like this working, honestly. Tan... Way too tan... 

It wasn't really the colour I was referring too. I agree that much tan would make a set like this pretty ugly. It was mainly the tower, details around the windows and roof line and just the general shape and style of the building that I liked. To me it just looked like the kind of building which work well as a Modular.

[LegoModularFan]

8 hours ago, Bricked1980 said:

Ok, so I know it's a bit early in the year to start speculating, but just wondered what would everyone like to see for the 2019 modular?

Just found some excellent ideas by @koalayummies while searching one of my posts:

“That's not a rumor, thats just a guess but I'll join because the next modular could be a police station-library-school-museum-hospital-post office-apartment building-hardware store-train station-clothing outlet-deli-pancake house-locksmith-computer repair-home furnishings store-sporting goods shop-appliance repair-jeweler-seafood-pharmacy-bicycle shop-architecture firm-lawyers office-courthouse built in gothic, neoclassical, postmodern, historicism, timber framing, tudor, Mediterranean revival, baroque and so on and so forth.”

If you prefer seeing this post directly, click here. 

6 hours ago, Bricked1980 said:

I think there are 2 safe bets for next year. I think the detailed faces are definitely here to stay on all future modulars

That’s already confirmed... Mike says in this interview by Zusammengebaut “It’s hard to say I can’t figure out exactly what it is that people love about the Modular Buildings and maybe it was the classic smiley-faces which I just took out... forever”  

6 hours ago, Bricked1980 said:

Thanks, just one more post and you will hit this mile stone as well! 

I’ll hit with this post 

5 hours ago, Nexogeek said:

Something else that would be really cool is a toy store with a huge display in the window and a multi level open floor plan. 

Yes, and modular Lego shop as the one we had in ideas would be great! 

________________________________________

@Bricked1980, I forgot to write that I would like the new modular to be in a rare color that no modular had included...

Edited February 5, 2018 by LegoModularFan

[Digger of Bricks]

8 hours ago, Bricked1980 said:

Do you think they will carry on with the art deco style or will the set return to the more familiar style of past modulars?

I'd love to see Lego do another Art Deco modular myself, but preferably one that was less Miami Beach in its color choices. As I put it earlier on this topic, less like Fallout, more like BioShock. 

But, realistically, I'd don't think Lego will revisit anything Art Deco for the second time in a row, but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll immediately revisit architectural styles seen before the Diner. Like @LegoModularFan had suggested, Art Nouveau would be awesome, but can Lego effectively capture that with bricks? Well... 

[Bricked1980]

Well, whatever next year's set turns out to be, I do hope we won't have to wait till mid November again before even the slightest bit of news leaks out. It would be nice to think we might get some vague rumors over the summer although I am not holding my breath.

I think one of the hardest things about being a lego modular fan is the long year we have to endure between sets getting released. 

In the meantime lego could knock us off our feet with a surprise announcement of cafe corner being re-released. Unlikely,  but we can at least wish. 

[koalayummies]

1 hour ago, LegoModularFan said:

Just found some excellent ideas while searching one of my posts:

 at my tone in that post  but those are some decent ideas . If one does computer repair we must specify that the technology has time-traveled like the electronic contraption found in Town Hall  since many believe the theme takes place in a specific period.

Appliance repair is pertinent because plenty of the modulars have refrigerators and stoves, sporting goods has a good amount of minifigure equipment, post office can utilize technic-built conveyor belts and be packed with boxes and bins full of 1x2 tile envelope, clothing outlet has been done a few times already using headless torsos and torso-less legs for the 'clothing' but is still great (if it was a tailor it could tie in with the ongoing marriage theme for the tuxedo/wedding dress), home furnishings one could bring out all the creativity for brick-built furniture, architecture firm would be a great way to get in some more modern building design and as always an apartment building is a safe and welcome structure. 

7 hours ago, Bricked1980 said:

Further to my earlier post where I mentioned a modular theatre building, this is the sort of thing I had in mind.

That is a very attractive building. Would be great in Brick Yellow or Sand Yellow (or a combination) or multiple colors one for the flat portions and another for the accents. 

10 hours ago, Bricked1980 said:

Do you think they will carry on with the art deco style or will the set return to the more familiar style of past modulars?

The next building will most likely be a yet untapped (for official Modulars) architectural style. While some of the buildings have had elements from multiple architectural styles or elements of previous modulars they've mostly been pretty well defined and iconic in terms of style. So we may see a building in the future that has an art-deco element or two but its unlikely there will be a full-on art deco style building again like the Diner.

For example Brick Bank is almost entirely neoclassical while Town Hall has some neoclassical elements. Parisian Restaurant is blend of iconic French styles like Haussmann/Second Empire while Pet Shop has a French-inspired Mansard style roof. Green Grocer has oriel windows while the brownstone/town house (PS) has bay windows. So there may be a hinting or element influenced or similar to an element of art deco or its later derivatives its unlikely, with all the possible styles, that we'd see another full-on repeat of an already used style. 

[LegoModularFan]

14 hours ago, Digger of Bricks said:

Art Nouveau would be awesome, but can Lego effectively capture that with bricks? Well... 

For sure and it would be a great modular to learn new techniques. Here is my favorite Art Nouveau MOC, @Pate-keetongu really captured the feeling and I would love to see something as a modular: 

 

12 hours ago, Bricked1980 said:

Well, whatever next year's set turns out to be, I do hope we won't have to wait till mid November again before even the slightest bit of news leaks out. It would be nice to think we might get some vague rumors over the summer although I am not holding my breath.

I think one of the hardest things about being a lego modular fan is the long year we have to endure between sets getting released. 

Yes, just too long! Hopefully there are modular MOC’s, I can’t imagine a life without MOC’s... 

12 hours ago, Bricked1980 said:

being a lego modular fan

So being me 

 

Edited February 6, 2018 by LegoModularFan

[Digger of Bricks]

28 minutes ago, LegoModularFan said:

For sure and it would be a great modular to learn new techniques. Here is my favorite Art Nouveau MOC, @Pate-keetongureally captured the feeling and I would love to see something as a modular:

Oh yeah, I would seriously love to see something like that corner building as a set! 

Thanks for bringing that one up, as that is indeed one of my all time favorite modular creations! 

[Nexogeek]

1 hour ago, LegoModularFan said:

For sure and it would be a great modular to learn new techniques. Here is my favorite Art Nouveau MOC, @Pate-keetongureally captured the feeling and I would love to see something as a modular: 

 

Yes, just too long! Hopefully there are modular MOC’s, I can’t imagine a life without MOC’s... 

So being me 

 

Wowwwww is all i can say, his work is amazing, all the little details. My favorite detail has to be the use of a Star Wars planet and that golden warrior CMF along with the black falcons shield in the arch. Would love to see Lego make a corner set like that

[LegoModularFan]

Guys, what would really satisfy and convince you as a modular and architecture (without thinking if Lego would produce it). Just wondering.

[Bricked1980]

2 minutes ago, LegoModularFan said:

Guys, what would really satisfy and convince you as a modular and architecture (without thinking if Lego would produce it). Just wondering.

How about a Modular Las Vegas style casino. It would give them the chance to carry on from DD with bright and striking colours and gimmicky features and brick built lettering. Not necessarily in Art Deco style but this would look good sat next to DD.

However I don't think Lego will be doing a casino any time soon. Gambling and drinking might be too hot a topic for Lego to consider, also the tragic events that happened in Las Vegas last year would make this too delicate a subject for Lego to consider.

[Digger of Bricks]

4 hours ago, LegoModularFan said:

Guys, what would really satisfy and convince you as a modular and architecture (without thinking if Lego would produce it). Just wondering.

Something with either an all out Dieselpunk/Noir/Gotham City style or one of a Decopunk/Metropolis/Flash Gordon aesthetic. In other words, something of a hyper-retrofuturistic sci-fi inspiration. Take these micro cityscape creations as respective examples to illustrate:

Dieselpunk/Noir/Gotham City

Spoiler

Decopunk/Metropolis/Flash Gordon

Spoiler

 

 

[Lucarex]

Every time I see those microscale cityscapes from Jeff Works (he's done more) my brick-built heart skips a beat. The pure aesthetic of them is just exquisite 

[Faefrost]

On 2/5/2018 at 7:28 AM, Bricked1980 said:

I agree, I don't think they'd do Art Deco 2 years in a row. I also think that after DD being such a distinct American building, next year's will probably revert to a more generic or European style.

I know a lot of people felt that DD was a conscious effort to push the modulars in to a new era away from the 1920's and 30's but personally I think the only reason that DD was set in the 1950's is because that was an obvious choice for a Diner. Lets face it a 1930's Diner wouldn't have worked anywhere near as well.

So I don't think there is any reason to assume that the next set will also be set in the 50's. I think it could easily go back to the 1930's or maybe even a different era altogether to suit whatever type of building they want to create. For instance - if they decided to release a modular discotheque then the obvious choice would be to give it a 1970's setting.

I think there are 2 safe bets for next year. I think the detailed faces are definitely here to stay on all future modulars and I think the next one will be a corner building if you go by the cycle of how often corner sets get released.

I hope next years isn't another food outlet, there are enough of those already. I would like to see a museum, post office, theatre, toy store or some other kind of shop. Actually I think a theatre would work really well and would give options for some lovely architectural details. Especially now that PC has been retired I think an old style theatre would be great.

Thanks, just one more post and you will hit this mile stone as well! 

If they do a Hotel it will almost certainly be a European style architecture. Similarly I think if we get a post office it will likely be of a British or Euro design. Very classical styling. A Police station I would bet would be that classic TV 30's/40's American style precinct house. Largely known from NYC with the steps out front and the globes on either side. There is one old Historic NYPD house that would be perfect as it has some striking colors. An orange brick with what are basically "Lego PD Blue" windows. A small school would be interesting and doable. But probably would come off as small due to the real need to include the obligatory bus. 

[Jasper Joppe Geers]

On 6-2-2018 at 10:28 AM, LegoModularFan said:

Guys, what would really satisfy and convince you as a modular and architecture (without thinking if Lego would produce it). Just wondering.

Ever since there have been the modular building sets i don't think the architecture was the biggest thing. They've all been, let's say, quite Disney' esque to me.

Yes, there are loads of style's, many ideas, but each set seems to have it's own story to it. and when put together you get this mix and match kind of thing. And you like it or you don't i guess.

 

When i did my stuff some years ago now i kind of tried to follow that thread. Why would i do a building in this or that way? And what was going on right there?

Many times i had these pictures in my head of what was going on inside the buildings, stories i'wanted to tell. For me the greatest pleasure and delight were the details

of everything, both inside the building and outside. And with all the colours and different bricks we have today, you can clearly build all your dreams.

And that's when an addiction becomes dangerous, which is the main reason why i quit doing Lego.

Edited February 7, 2018 by Jasper Joppe Geers

[Bricked1980]

37 minutes ago, Jasper Joppe Geers said:

Ever since there have been the modular building sets i don't think the architecture was the biggest thing.

I think I agree with this. During the design process of the official sets I don't think the style of architecture is necessarily the first thought at all. I would imagine they start off by knowing the subject matter of the building they want to create and then the architecture just sort of fits around that. Most of them seem to be a bit of a mish mash of different styles and even though DD can be described as Art Deco, the style is quite a "cartoonified" representation.

Having said that though I think the plan all along was to create an Art Deco building for this years set. Originally it was planned to be a car shop before it was changed to a Diner further in to the design process but from watching the designer videos online it seems clear that Mike knew right from day one that his set was going to be Art Deco architecture..

[Digger of Bricks]

On 2/6/2018 at 3:28 AM, LegoModularFan said:

Guys, what would really satisfy and convince you as a modular and architecture (without thinking if Lego would produce it). Just wondering.

Next to both Dieselpunk and Decopunk, I'd also wish to see a modular with a Hyper-Victorian Steampunk aesthetic, kind of like what @castor-troy has done with his Steampunk Paris layout.

14 hours ago, Lucarex said:

Every time I see those microscale cityscapes from Jeff Works (he's done more) my brick-built heart skips a beat. The pure aesthetic of them is just exquisite 

Oh yes, here's his year-in-retrospect post showcasing nearly all his cityscape creations. 

Spoiler