A Brick Reproduction of Brooklyn’s Architectural History in LEGO

There are few toys that would declare to attraction to ages 1-99, however LEGO are undeniably universally beloved, particularly among the many artistic set that see them as constructing blocks for unbridled exploratory actions. Working example, structure agency The Brooklyn Studio has partnered with unbiased LEGO artist Steve Mayes to supply a special-edition set that includes Brooklyn Landmarks that ought to attraction to urbanists, architects, and devoted New York boroughs stans.

The Brooklyn Studio is thought particularly for his or her work as a rowhouse structure agency, so this mission could also be a departure in scale, however arguably aligned with their capacity to seize the Brooklyn streetscape as a simplified brick-by-brick recreation.

What’s cooler than studying about nineteenth-century urbanism? Nothing. We hope this set evokes the subsequent era of architects and preservationists.

– Christopher Devine, Advertising and marketing Director at The Brooklyn Studio

Comprising 349 items, the customized LEGO set follows a loosely outlined geography of Brooklyn, spanning from Carroll Gardens to Prospect Heights. Rendered in miniature, from left to proper, are the Carroll Avenue Bridge and Bridge Tender’s Home (accomplished 1889), the Nationwide Packing Field Manufacturing facility (accomplished 1889), the Gowanus Canal (dredged 1860s), Park Slope brick and brownstone rowhouses (constructed c. 1870 – 1895), Park Slope limestone rowhouses (constructed c. 1890 – 1915), Troopers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch (accomplished 1892), and Prospect Park (accomplished 1873).

The structure studio identifies itself not solely as LEGO lovers, but additionally “stewards of the constructed setting” who’re “all the time conscious of the historic, cultural, and environmental context by which we work.”

Every set is available in customized packaging with step-by-step constructing directions and details about the locations depicted. So as to add a degree of realism, the Carroll Avenue Bridge might be positioned in its absolutely retracted place. The choice to supply the accompanying sound results whereas lifting or retracting the bridge is solely as much as its builder/particular person enjoying with it.

The customized set was initially designed as a vacation reward for The Brooklyn Studio’s shoppers and collaborators. However not surprisingly the architecturel agency was inundated with curious demand, so now the agency plans to supply extra units on the market, with proceeds being donated to the Historic Districts Council, a non-profit group devoted to the preservation of historic neighborhoods, buildings, and public areas in New York Metropolis. To register curiosity in getting your arms by yourself set, e mail [email protected].

Gregory Han is Tech Editor of Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, climbing, tide swimming pools, and highway journeys, a number of his adventures and musings might be discovered at gregoryhan.com.