I never played much with Legos when I was a kid, which perhaps explains why I write about design rather than actually design and build things. But if I ever have kids, and they show the slightest inkling of interest in Legos, I will buy them every set their hearts desire, with a little extra nudging toward the architecture series. From free-form building to following blueprints, Legos challenge kids (and grown-ups, too) to dream big.
This morning, I took a closer look at the Space Needle box and was relieved to see there are only 57 pieces. The suggested age is 10 and up, so I'm optimistic that I can build this thing and display it in my office. However, if I stumble, I've got at least a half-dozen architects on speed dial to help me out.
Images: Lego






White Enamel Flatwa...
Wow, this is so coincidental. My son is hooked on Legos!! ( I claim it's an addiction!). My wife was trying to figure out what to get me for my birthday from my son. I suggested on of the Architect series from Legos. My son go me the Farnsworth series (500+ pieces). I was so excited to get it and we spent a Sunday afternoon putting it together. Of course after we put it together, we had to fight over who could play with it! Anyways, I agree with your comments. I loved putting it together with my son as well as teaching him a little Architectural history at the same time. Thanks for the article.
Jalex Studios
Alright I have to say that thing does not look terribly like the Space Needle. Is that puny little disc supposed to be the lower deck? And where is the base/lobby? Come on Lego...
I like the idea, but somehow none of them really capture the essence of the structures they are supposed to be. Certainly the Space Needle is pretty far off the mark.
A friend has the Falling Water and although it's cute, it just looks like a generic mid-century house.
And would anyone recognise the Rockefeller Center?
I LOVE it!!! I have loved Legos since I was a little girl. I just recently received a Lego perpetual calendar and have it proudly on my desk at work. I'm so excited to see some "grown-up" sets I can bring to the office.
I have five so far (the cheaper ones, $20 - $25) - Space Needle, Empire State Building, Willis Tower, Hancock Building, and Burj Khalifa. I enjoy putting them together and they are cute to look at :)
Maybe it helps that I work at an architecture college?
I got those a few years ago when I was still in architecture school, and although they aren't perfect reproductions like another reader pointed out, they're pretty fun little tokens of our favorite buildings.
Nice holiday gift idea for the architect BF...
I have the Guggenheim version. Lego pretty much missed the mark on that one. I had fun building it though.