My first MOC, a Flemish Barroco house

[Ophrys]

As I explain in the 'Introduce yourself' section, after a long period of dark age (I played with Lego when I was a kid in the seventies), the Lego virus has been reactivated at the end of 2012, thanks to my two little daughters (5 and 7) who wanted Lego Friends for Christmas. I remembered all the models I bought and created as kid, and began to consult the web and discovered as well an astonishing AFOL (I didn’t know this term before) community as many quite impressive MOCs (a new term for me too). Thanks to EB for that! I first bought some SW sets, as a big fan of SW (I was 9 when 'A new hope' was in theaters). But my daughters were frustrated to not have the possibility to play with toys I considered as collectibles rather than support to game. For myself and for my daughters I have therefore envisaged at the beginning of 2013 to create a Lego town for hosting the Friends figurines, and especially buildings that were more realistic and complete than the official Friends sets. Frustrated to not having bought the first Modular Buildings (CC, MS and GC), I bought all the others, modified some of them and used bricks for original MOCs. The challenge was to create playable buildings by my daughters (currently 6 and 8). I also downloaded LDD, BrickStore and other related tools, created an account at BL, and I’m now proud to belong to the AFOL community. I'm glad to present here my first creation (out of at least 6 other ones) made last spring. It was inspired by the houses of my hometown Arras, a little town from northern France, which is well known by its Flemish Barroco typical buildings (see photos below).

the Lego model

These types of houses from the XVII and XVIIIth century have generally dark rooms, expecially at the ground floor. Quite often an extension (at the back side) is added, such as a veranda, in order to enlight the back room (mostly kitchen).

Soon interiors with furnitures.

[timmyc1983]

Wow, what a lovely building The facade is very true to the buildings you have based it upon, which is very nice and I love the little extension out the back, fantastic detail!!

I look forward to some interior shots, happy building

[Denes]

Great work Ophrys, its simple cute. and really great how catch the vibe of the original buildings

[eurotrash]

Really good! You've definitely captured that architectural look well - and that Conservatory out the back is great (it just needs some plants in pots!) . How about showing us the other five you created?

[Ophrys]

Thanks for all your encouragement. For interiors and other models, I still have to do the photos.

[jimmynick]

The orange-and-tan facade at the top is really nice - great job! But you might consider making the ground-level facade a little more detailed - as it stands, it looks fairly plain. Maybe put some bins or potted plants at the front.

[JopieK]

nice build! you did a great job on the details as well!

[Ophrys]

The orange-and-tan facade at the top is really nice - great job! But you might consider making the ground-level facade a little more detailed - as it stands, it looks fairly plain. Maybe put some bins or potted plants at the front.

you're right. It's a first experience. I'm thinking add some potted plants below the windows of the first floor.

Edited November 18, 2013 by Ophrys

[LEGO Family]

As a first moc/ build / try its really good. Lovely color scheme lovely ideas for details. Your entrance on the back of the house could be very vey nice indeed.

Please make a second version, you will do good im pretty sure . :)

[Ophrys]

the interiors

all the modules

Level 0 'rez-de-chausée' - Main entrance + Living room + kitchen + entrance to the cellar

Level 1 '1er étage' - Parent bedroom + bathroom

Level 2 - 'sous les combles' - A bedroom for a teen

[LEGO Family]

In addition to my post above.

Your interior is also quite good.

I especially love the tan / dark red and black floor pattern on the first floor.

Your toilet on second floor is quite good also. :)

[Hoexbroe]

Nice. I especially like the glassed entrance in the back!

[lightningtiger]

Excellent interior, delightful exterior......I it, awesome work there 'Ophrys' and Brick On !

[Kristel]

This is great! I particularly like the front facade and the glass extension at the back. The interior is nicely done also.

I'm looking forward to seeing more of your creations!

[kermit]

Nice job. I like the sky light room in the back.

[elisa1987]

It's impressive, and even more knowing it's your first MOC!

[Ophrys]

It's impressive, and even more knowing it's your first MOC!

Thanks. But I still have to improve. I am far from having the talent of many MOCers present on this forum as Snaillad, Kristel, timmyc1983, Vincent Kessels and many others, who strongly motivate this current hobby and I that I left the dark ages.

Edited November 21, 2013 by Ophrys

[LukeWarmTea]

I'm impressed too! I have yet to attempt a large MOC after being in the DA just as yourself - my daughter is just 5 and loves City and Friends, mostly for the animals. I love that it is playable - like you, anything I do build has to be completely child-proof. I find the expense hard too - I'm a cleaner in New Zealand and we don't have any big stores competing with sales or anything, so the idea of buying 'all the modular sets' is a pipe dream.

How did you find the scale, building with minifig set bricks for a Friends house? Are the doorways OK?

[snaillad]

Excellent, colours work very well. I also like the interior detailing and the extension and the back. Great job!

[Ophrys]

I'm impressed too! I have yet to attempt a large MOC after being in the DA just as yourself - my daughter is just 5 and loves City and Friends, mostly for the animals. I love that it is playable - like you, anything I do build has to be completely child-proof. I find the expense hard too - I'm a cleaner in New Zealand and we don't have any big stores competing with sales or anything, so the idea of buying 'all the modular sets' is a pipe dream.

How did you find the scale, building with minifig set bricks for a Friends house? Are the doorways OK?

The scale is a standard one, compatible with minifigs, as for all modulars. And the scale is thus also compatible with Friends minidolls because Friends sets also use standard parts, doors, windows, etc.. The main difference, especially with City series, are the used colours. I confess nevertheless that the modular houses are not fully child-proof, especially for the youngest kids. The size of the rooms and the height of walls are not well playable. Semi-open buildings, as shown the official sets (as well for Friends as for City) are more adequate. The modulars (official or MOCs) are indeed quite expensive. An alternative solution could be to use standard bricks (e.g., from 10660 or 5660 or 4625 sets) that have the Friends colours in order to build small (semi-open?) houses and to use small Friends official sets (e.g., Andrea's bedroom - 41009, Stephanie's kitchen - 3930, Mia's bedroom - 3939) that can provide furniture and accessories for interiors.

[biancawong]

The interior design is superb! Is the fireplace too close to the TV, just a thought. Great job capturing the architectural characteristics of the original building!

[LukeWarmTea]

The scale is a standard one, compatible with minifigs, as for all modulars. And the scale is thus also compatible with Friends minidolls because Friends sets also use standard parts, doors, windows, etc.. The main difference, especially with City series, are the used colours. I confess nevertheless that the modular houses are not fully child-proof, especially for the youngest kids. The size of the rooms and the height of walls are not well playable. Semi-open buildings, as shown the official sets (as well for Friends as for City) are more adequate. The modulars (official or MOCs) are indeed quite expensive. An alternative solution could be to use standard bricks (e.g., from 10660 or 5660 or 4625 sets) that have the Friends colours in order to build small (semi-open?) houses and to use small Friends official sets (e.g., Andrea's bedroom - 41009, Stephanie's kitchen - 3930, Mia's bedroom - 3939) that can provide furniture and accessories for interiors.

Right, of course - and your idea is exactly what I am planning! I'm using LDD at the moment (although it is somewhat limited when it comes to Friends) and then I'll probably combine BrickLink buys with your small-set idea. The hard part is telling the kids the set is for you, not them - yet!