nesquik Posted January 22, 2014 Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) Without wanting to dampen anyone's spirit here, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration with regards to what kinds of building make the development stage. The best way to understand this is to look at the very product line that these models reside in. Looking at how model designs have altered during the course of time, what are the most immediate developments in the modular building sub-theme? I would suggest that they have 1. greater focus on a dynamic/clear narrative 2. improved scaling of the architecture 3. Improved interior decor. All these actions have been made in response to demand, because the value of the said product is then clearer throughout the entire model. When this series first began, it was targetted squarely at AFOLs and was made profitable by the fact that the parts used were already in production, and because the architecture was more important than the interior. However, to broaden the audience, each subsquent building has been more ambitious and refined, giving the model greater features throughout and making it more attractive to fans of all backgrounds. This is why parents can associate with more recent models in different ways to their children, because both the playability and advanced building techniques appeal to owners in different ways. Each of the above criteria works hand-in-hand to deliver a complete experience, and I believe the P.R / Pet Shop demonstrate this perhaps better than any modular building so far. In terms of economy, the Pet Shop may continue to steal the show as the piece-count was kept low with great humour (For example, the man is painting a bedroom so that it doesn't require any further bricks). The Creator Expert products work indepently to one-another as they are standalone models; despite the fact that the modular buildings 'can' be connected (which is simply a marketing trick). It's all very well saying that we "need" a dentist, we "need" a police station etc, but unless those services are typically associated with a specific and/or iconic architecture, they are not going to be developed. The Palace Cinema is a different scene to the Pet Shop, just as the Town Hall has no relation to the Green Grocer. Likewise, another perspective is to view each building in its intended homeland. Cafe Corner - French Green Grocer - European Grand Emporium - U.K (Harrods) Fire Brigade - U.S, N.Y Pet Shop - U.K Town Hall - European Palace Cinema - U.S (Chinese Theatre) Parisian R. - French Each has a distinct personality and can be associated to a time and place, which is the designer's objective in the first place. A dentist, police station (too large), and even a florist don't evoke any specific design cues that the average family/customer would make them want to display the model in their home, nor would spread an even amount of interesting and varied micro builds throughout the entire building. If I could take an educated guess as to what the next building will be, I would say that it's more likely going to be a shop of some kind, and possibly one for toys. The Grand Emporium is soon to be retired and the Pet Shop - so i've been told - isn't far behind, as the next modular building will be out before the end of this year. It would therefore make perfect sense that they are replaced with another retail effort; specifically one that does a more realistic job of selling goods within a small space. In that respect, the G.E is truly starting to show its age and the mindset of the designers when it was released. Anyway, we'll see later this year... Edited January 23, 2014 by nesquik Quote
AFOLguy1970 Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 Each has a distinct personality and can be associated to a time and place, which is the designer's objective in the first place. A dentist, police station (too large), and even a florist don't evoke any specific design cues that the average family/customer would make them want to display the model in their home, nor would spread an even amount of interesting and varied micro builds throughout the entire building. If I could take an educated guess as to what the next building will be, I would say that it's more likely going to be a shop of some kind, and possibly one for toys. The Grand Emporium is soon to be retired and the Pet Shop - so i've been told - isn't far behind, as the next modular building will be out before the end of this year. It would therefore make perfect sense that they are replaced with another retail effort; specifically one that does a more realistic job of selling goods within a small space. In that respect, the G.E is truly starting to show its age and the mindset of the designers when it was released. Anyway, we'll see later this year... I think you are certainly on to something as far as building style is concerned. All of the buildings so far have been a representation of the past. They seem to range from about the turn of the 20th century to the 1930's. Perhaps the Parisian Restaurant is even a bit "older". Therefore, a modern building would likely and hopefully not be produced. The City line has more modern structures covered, especially in its police and fire stations. This is not to say that a Police Precinct is out of the question, especially if it is set in an old style structure. A toy store would not be too bad, however the GE basically has an entire floor devoted to a toy department. There do not seem to be any redundancies in the modular line so far. Yes, Cafe Corner and Parisian Restaurant may have somewhat of a similar function, however they are different enough. I would really like to see something like a bank or a post office. Actually, what would really interest me would be an old fashioned newspaper complete with a printing press that operates based on power functions with moving belts and everything. Quote
Jasper Joppe Geers Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 As for buildings I agree with most ideas, although I don't expect a flourist, partially because I don't think that such a building would look great and also because a flourist isn't that important in a city. The police office will take another year or two to come, atleast that's what I think. I am hoping for a slightly more impressive building size-wise with lots of details, just like the Green Grocer. A bakery/ butcher/ school/ shop seems most likely. You know, these are the posts that makes me wish i still had my bricks... I would love to do a wonderful flower shop! :) Quote
alois Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 You know, these are the posts that makes me wish i still had my bricks... I would love to do a wonderful flower shop! :) Try to start small all over again... I would really like to see a flower shop made by you! Quote
The Jersey Brick Guy Posted January 23, 2014 Author Posted January 23, 2014 I wanted to bump this topic to the top, I know there is a lot of discussions going on across a few different modular threads. If we keep the general discussion here and the specific topic talk there, we can keep everything straight. Just a suggestion! Quote
Rick Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 I wanted to bump this topic to the top, I know there is a lot of discussions going on across a few different modular threads. If we keep the general discussion here and the specific topic talk there, we can keep everything straight. Just a suggestion! Thanks. I moved some posts from the "Modular Buildings for future years" thread to this General discussion thread. Quote
Faefrost Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 I know it's a "rumors" thread, but how far can we go in speculating for the future? (If there is still a Modular Future or Wish List thread this might go better there?) Anyway, a lot of good points here. Especially Nesquiks great thoughts. Here's my take on where we go from here. The Modular line (Of the Creator Expert theme etc etc) just lost its "gateway drug" set. Its big cross theme, cross generational, newbie bait set. The Fire Brigade. There is a reason that set was kept in circulation for so long, and is probably the most widely purchased of the modulars. It is an almost perfect storm of AFOL details and architecture, and younger Lego fan playability. Between the moving doors, and fire truck and pole and firefighters it has a ton of stories for young folks to amuse themselves with. Plus it looks great. It looks like a real fire house. This is the building that sucked more people into this theme than anything else. And it will be hard for Lego to replace. Basically I think they are going to want something that has both architectural value, can feature a lot of detail, yet still has a good hook to grab the crowd who normally looks at City or Winter Village stuff. An included vehicle is almost a must. So what are the reasonable options? 1. Police Precinct House - Not a full blown Police Station or HQ, will all of the modern trappings, like they get in city. A classic street facing Police Precinct House, like we have seen in hundreds of cartoons and movies and TV shows over the years. We all know what it looks like. Stone building, steps leading up to a large arched door. colored lights or lanterns flanking the door. The key thing is how to do it in a modular without it looking grim and dull and like a fortress. well how about this. http://www.policeny.com/thehousemanhattannorth1.html The classic New York City 19th Precinct building. It looks almost perfectly tailor made for conversion into a Lego modular. Nice architectural details and bits that would make for interesting builds. Some nice pop of color with the windows and doors. Contrasting stonework colors. All it needs is a classic Black and White patrol car sitting out front and you have the perfect set. Details inside would be the traditional raised Sergeants Desk, some desks for report writing and such. The Captains Office, and a holding cell or two to keep the naughty in until they can be transferred "downtown". (seriously not joking about this. Just look at this building!) 2. Post Office - This one is a little tougher, but would provide some excellent play value. The trick is finding something distinctive, that doesn't look like a 1970's cinder block building, and is still well known and identifiable as a post office. There are some very nice Post Offices out there,a nd some truly ugly ones. So maybe something like this? http://www.vietnammotorbiketour.com/vietnam-information/images/Ho_Chi_Minh_City/Saigon-post_office.gif The Saigon or Ho Chi Min city Post Office. One of the best known such buildings in the world, with lots of interesting details in its central front section, such as the wonderful arch and the clock. Plus it adds something based on a Far Eastern subject to the modular line up. How long have we been looking for that? Combine it with a classic mail truck and we have ourselves a nice set. 3. Mechanic's Garage - Another one with lots of possibilities. Something along the lines of the Fire Brigade, with roll up doors and a auto service area inside. Maybe something like this if they want to go really crazy (although may be a bit too historical for modern kids) http://aurorabranch.blogspot.com/2009/07/odd-fellows-hall-part-5-auto-row.html Coats Hudson Dealer and Auto service. This cool building had a car elevator, so cars could be displayed and serviced on the upper floors. Maybe give the set a few classic cars in lieu of interior details? Say 2 new cars, 1 old one in for repair and a vintage tow truck? Ground floor sales offices, second floor showroom and third floor auto repair with the elevator running through the middle? I'm just speculating wildly. I just think its a neat old building. Besides Lego Hudson's 4. Hospital - No pictures for this one as I think it is the least likely option. A hospital would need to be as big as Town Hall, and preferably be a corner building. And it would still seen too small. Plus hospitals have evolved a bit too much to blend well with the more classic feel of the other modulars. If they were to do it, a main frontage. Ambulance entrance on the side. Small ER room, patient room or two, OR. A more vintage Ambulance servicing it. I think it would be hard to achieve a classic looking Lego hospital without evoking an Arkham Asylum / Hitchcock feel to the thing. The towns medical needs would probably be better served with a classic corner Pharmacy and Soda counter, with a medical or dental office above it. Anyway just my TLDR thoughts on where I think they might be looking for the future. (and yeah I know my pics are a little US centric. Sorry about that. If you want a classic Police building you are probably going to end up looking at either NYC or London, no matter how you slice it. And the blues on that one were too perfect.) Quote
Brickadiergerard Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 Fire Station is the only one we've bought so far, which supports Faefrost's theory. My kids were completely fixated by it, and I love the look of it. And after a year and a half of loyal service, it's just been turned into a bank for Batman games by building some internal walls and closing up the front and back gates. I'm toying with the idea of getting the Town Hall, which might end up morphing into a museum. The only things holding me back are the price and the thought that a real museum set might be released. That would be wonderful - classical frontage and a couple of floors of art or antiquities. If an NY style Police Station was released, I'd buy it without hesitation though. Or rather, I'd save money to buy it without hesitation. Quote
Lego Conductor Posted January 24, 2014 Posted January 24, 2014 Fire Brigade is the Modular set that lured me away from the Star Wars line. I started Lego back when the first Star Wars Land Speeder set came out. I now spend most of my budget on the Modulars. I've really enjoyed them all and sometimes I'm tempted to sell most my Star Wars to purchase the Green Grocer. All that aside I would like to see: Police Station/Precinct Post Office Bank School House Whatever is released next in the series (2015) I will buy, I will like and I will still be wanting to buy the Green Grocer! Quote
elleana Posted January 24, 2014 Posted January 24, 2014 Probably not going to happen in a million years, but I would really like to see a modern office building (glass and steel style) modular. Lots of windowpanes (the kind found in city police station sets) and nothing much else. Quote
Faefrost Posted January 24, 2014 Posted January 24, 2014 Probably not going to happen in a million years, but I would really like to see a modern office building (glass and steel style) modular. Lots of windowpanes (the kind found in city police station sets) and nothing much else. Probably not as on official Lego set in the Modular line (although you never know), but there are some great custom instructions out there for reasonable cost if you aren't afraid of Bricklink, and you do not want to MOC something that massive yourself. Something like Brick City Depots Architects Office might be what you are looking for? http://www.brickcitydepot.com/city-building-instructions.html Quote
Doom2099 Posted January 24, 2014 Posted January 24, 2014 Likewise, another perspective is to view each building in its intended homeland. Cafe Corner - French Green Grocer - European Grand Emporium - U.K (Harrods) Fire Brigade - U.S, N.Y Pet Shop - U.K Town Hall - European Palace Cinema - U.S (Chinese Theatre) Parisian R. - French I really like this take on modulars. Personally, a toy (Lego) shop, a bank or post office as others have said would work great in the modular pantheon. In terms of countries, it might be nice to have a touch of Spanish or Dutch architecture. Imagine nicely Lego colored Dutch houses or apartments! Quote
nesquik Posted January 24, 2014 Posted January 24, 2014 I know it's a "rumors" thread, but how far can we go in speculating for the future? (If there is still a Modular Future or Wish List thread this might go better there?) Anyway, a lot of good points here. Especially Nesquiks great thoughts. Here's my take on where we go from here. The Modular line (Of the Creator Expert theme etc etc) just lost its "gateway drug" set. Its big cross theme, cross generational, newbie bait set. The Fire Brigade. There is a reason that set was kept in circulation for so long, and is probably the most widely purchased of the modulars. It is an almost perfect storm of AFOL details and architecture, and younger Lego fan playability. Between the moving doors, and fire truck and pole and firefighters it has a ton of stories for young folks to amuse themselves with. Plus it looks great. It looks like a real fire house. This is the building that sucked more people into this theme than anything else. And it will be hard for Lego to replace. Basically I think they are going to want something that has both architectural value, can feature a lot of detail, yet still has a good hook to grab the crowd who normally looks at City or Winter Village stuff. An included vehicle is almost a must. So what are the reasonable options? I think you've hit the nail on the head; the Fire Brigade was, if you like, the beginning of the current trend of modular buildings. Up to this point, they were almost certainly experiments. The fortunate thing with any Fire House of course is that the ground floor is purposefully open, so the designer could keep the brick-count low and still retain authenticity. With regards to vehicles though, they are nothing more than a plot device for the narrative. This is evident with the fire truck (for obvious reasons), the Palace Cinema's classic Buick (which prepares the movie actress for her grand entrance) and the Parisian Restaurant's 'Vespa' (because we're being told that the artist has a great sense of design and taste). It's hard to imagine a modular building hitting that low price point again though, because it's been proven that particular styles of architecture benefit from the increased piece-count, and I'm sure more people would (grudgingly) accept paying that little bit more for greater detail. Quote
nesquik Posted January 24, 2014 Posted January 24, 2014 1. Police Precinct House - Not a full blown Police Station or HQ, will all of the modern trappings, like they get in city. 2. Post Office - This one is a little tougher, but would provide some excellent play value. 3. Mechanic's Garage 4. Hospital - No pictures for this one as I think it is the least likely option. This brings me back to my original point though, which is how relatable architecture can be. The modular buildings exist for the simple reason that customers can associate with them in a very positive manner. The building is underpinned by a scene, which in turn evokes an iconic time and place. I'm fortunate enough to work in LEGO brand retail, and I can't tell you how overwhelming the response has been to the Parisian Restaurant. Parents genuinely find this product romantic and cutesy, and to create that kind of emotional feedback is very powerful. The Pet Shop has a similar effect, but the Exclusives range as a whole follows suit - the idyllic VW Camper Van, the legendary Sopwith Camel, the groundbreaking Maersk Triple-E... significance is the key word here. So then we come back to the many MOCs that appear on fan websites, and certainly no-one can deny that a service of some form - be it a police station, dentist or hospital - has the freedom to be miniaturised into a model. But, one should not automatically assume that "nice looking" architecture leads to a great product. Speculation always brings lots of ideas to the table, yet I believe the one key factor that fans forget to consider are the scene and narrative, which as I mentioned before, is today integral to the overall design of the product. Quote
ritzcrackerman Posted January 24, 2014 Posted January 24, 2014 This brings me back to my original point though, which is how relatable architecture can be. The modular buildings exist for the simple reason that customers can associate with them in a very positive manner. The building is underpinned by a scene, which in turn evokes an iconic time and place. I'm fortunate enough to work in LEGO brand retail, and I can't tell you how overwhelming the response has been to the Parisian Restaurant. Parents genuinely find this product romantic and cutesy, and to create that kind of emotional feedback is very powerful. The Pet Shop has a similar effect, but the Exclusives range as a whole follows suit - the idyllic VW Camper Van, the legendary Sopwith Camel, the groundbreaking Maersk Triple-E... significance is the key word here. So then we come back to the many MOCs that appear on fan websites, and certainly no-one can deny that a service of some form - be it a police station, dentist or hospital - has the freedom to be miniaturised into a model. But, one should not automatically assume that "nice looking" architecture leads to a great product. Speculation always brings lots of ideas to the table, yet I believe the one key factor that fans forget to consider are the scene and narrative, which as I mentioned before, is today integral to the overall design of the product. Thank you for your comments, they're spot-on. The modulars are not simply selling simply by virtue of interesting techniques or architecture - but evoking a scene that is appealing and tells a story. I'm inclined to even imply that Jaime's designs have typically been more successful (and adored by the AFOL community) because of the stories they tell. On another note - oz the malefic posted earlier in the Town forum his Comic Book shop: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=91230 Now I'm really excited about the (albeit, unlikely!) prospects of a future modular comic book store. What a great tie-in that would be with the DC/Marvel licenses (although probably not simultaneously) to include stickers for the windows of comic book characters, printed comic tiles, etc. It would be great to see a future architectural style of a repurposed industrial building. Well, now I'm all excited. I had better just make my own. Quote
Sir Brickalot Posted January 24, 2014 Posted January 24, 2014 I am so excited to pick up the Parisian Restaurant! It looks great! Quote
Faefrost Posted January 24, 2014 Posted January 24, 2014 Thank you for your comments, they're spot-on. The modulars are not simply selling simply by virtue of interesting techniques or architecture - but evoking a scene that is appealing and tells a story. I'm inclined to even imply that Jaime's designs have typically been more successful (and adored by the AFOL community) because of the stories they tell. On another note - oz the malefic posted earlier in the Town forum his Comic Book shop: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=91230 Now I'm really excited about the (albeit, unlikely!) prospects of a future modular comic book store. What a great tie-in that would be with the DC/Marvel licenses (although probably not simultaneously) to include stickers for the windows of comic book characters, printed comic tiles, etc. It would be great to see a future architectural style of a repurposed industrial building. Well, now I'm all excited. I had better just make my own. In terms of how they lat out the stories and the scenes we really have only seen 2 designers work in the Modulars. Jamie's and Astrid's. Of the two Jamie tends to tell the story a bit more using the structure and the details. Telling more a story of place (with the possible exception being the new PR). Astrid's tends to focus more on the characters telling a story of the people. Her's tend to be a little more fig or personal or scripted story specific. As examples, GE is a Jamie building. It has lots of gorgeous little details which are the main focus, and the figs in it are mainly filling their roles and interacting with the setting. Each with a little mini task story. The guy cleaning the windows, the cashier, the guy trying on pants, etc. the story is the store. Contrast that with Astrid's Town Hall, which is a Wedding Scene. Most of the characters in it are interacting to stage a wedding in the setting that is the town hall. The wedding is the story there, the place is the town hall. You can also see a similar method of story telling in Astrid's Palace Cinema. It's not just a movie theater. It is a Shirley Temple type movie premier taking place at this theater. And this isn't saying that one approach is better than the other. These are just different ways of writing if you will. Different styles of storytelling. And we benefit from both styles. Heck I think Jamie even borrowed a few of Astrid's character focused storytelling tricks with the proposal scene in PR. Quote
alois Posted January 24, 2014 Posted January 24, 2014 In terms of how they lat out the stories and the scenes we really have only seen 2 designers work in the Modulars. Jamie's and Astrid's. Don't forget Jordan Schwartz (aka Sirnadroj) who was one of the designers of the Palace Cinema. Quote
Faefrost Posted January 25, 2014 Posted January 25, 2014 Don't forget Jordan Schwartz (aka Sirnadroj) who was one of the designers of the Palace Cinema. True. Although my gut instinct tells me that Jordan was probably more focused on the building itself. All of that wonderful texturing and layering on the exterior walls feels like his work. The underlying story of the "Premier at the Theater starring The child actress Minnie Figg", just feels more like Astrid's style. I could be wrong, and I am sure they both had a great deal of input in both structure and story. Oo! And as a bonus in trying to look up what production sets he has actually designed (as opposed to his wonderful MOCs) I notice Jordan has a Lego design book available for preorder at Amazon. That might be worth checking out. Quote
scottwb2010 Posted January 26, 2014 Posted January 26, 2014 The Grand Emporium is soon to be retired and the Pet Shop - so i've been told - isn't far behind, as the next modular building will be out before the end of this year. Anyway, we'll see later this year... I'm fortunate enough to work in LEGO brand retail, Hi nesquick. I take it you have some good inside info that there will be another modular building released this year? Quote
Faefrost Posted January 26, 2014 Posted January 26, 2014 We may be seeing some shortening in the release schedule of the Modulars. It seems to be a successful line for TLG. The time between Palace Cinema and Parisian Restaurant was more like 8 months, rather than the usual 12. We just didn't really notice that we got it a little early. But if the new release schedule is every 8 months or so than we might see another somewhere around August. Sort of a January -> August -> May -> repeat schedule going forward. That would be nice. Quote
RoxYourBlox Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 http://www.policeny....ttannorth1.html The classic New York City 19th Precinct building. It looks almost perfectly tailor made for conversion into a Lego modular. Personally, I like it, but I can't imagine people reacting positively if the colors pop too much. 2. Post Office http://www.vietnammo...post_office.gif The Saigon or Ho Chi Min city Post Office. One of the best known such buildings in the world, with lots of interesting details in its central front section, such as the wonderful arch and the clock. Nice example! In fact, that was once on my list of buildings to recreate! 4. Hospital - No pictures for this one as I think it is the least likely option. A hospital would need to be as big as Town Hall, and preferably be a corner building. And it would still seen too small. Plus hospitals have evolved a bit too much to blend well with the more classic feel of the other modulars.I think it would be hard to achieve a classic looking Lego hospital without evoking an Arkham Asylum / Hitchcock feel to the thing. The towns medical needs would probably be better served with a classic corner Pharmacy and Soda counter, with a medical or dental office above it. Good points - When I attempted a hospital a few months ago, I used this image of an old Swedish mental institution as inspiration to get that classical look: Quote
elleana Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 Actually that look reminds me of the FB and TH Quote
Lyichir Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 Personally, I'd prefer a science museum to an art museum. Brick-built dinosaur fossils and solar system models! There's also always the option of making a Lego retail store. I imagine the only reason they haven't done so yet is that the stores are still relatively scarce, but with more stores opening every year the business case for a large, detailed Lego store keeps getting better! Quote
The Jersey Brick Guy Posted January 27, 2014 Author Posted January 27, 2014 You know if they did a museum, imagine all the MOC's of different wings of the museum. (Think The Museum of Natural History/Smithsonian Museum's in Washington DC) You could have a solar system in one side, then dinosaurs, then civil war etc... That would be awesome and would wind up selling more sets! Personally, I am still hopping for a corner post office. All the town would need after that is a hospital, school and police station and everything else would be cake. Quote
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