Lego Sydney Opera House (10234) Review by Drudoo @ Eurobricks

Drudoo's Lego Sydney Opera House Review Box

The new Lego Sydney Opera House (10234) has been reviewed by Drudoo over at Eurobricks. With 2,989 pieces and a $320 price tag, this new Creator set is one of the biggest Lego releases this year. To say that this is only an upgrade to the original Lego Architecture Sydney Opera House (21012) is an understatement. Everything about this set is different and it even hides a few surprises. There are so many pieces and bags that the set comes in multiple boxes, just like the massive Lego Star Wars Death Star (10188). Lego made the smart decision of including the instruction manuals and such in a separate card board reinforced bag. Preventing the problem of bent instruction manuals. It would be nice if this would become standard for all their sets.

Drudoo's Lego Sydney Opera House Reviewed 02

As the base for the Opera House is built up, it is noted that this whole set is extremely sturdy. With none of the wobbly problems that some of the larger sets in the past have had. The Lego Sydney Opera House contains so much tan, but does a good job of not being boring. The set really starts to get interesting when building the “sails.” These structures are surprisingly technical, and are not as simple to build as they look. Using a combination of technic and advanced building techniques to achieve the correct angles and placement of every part.

Drudoo's Lego Sydney Opera House Review 01

Drudoo is about half way through documenting and reviewing the Lego Sydney Opera House. Make sure to check out the full review for many more pictures and details. Keep an eye out for updates as the Opera house gets completed, they will be coming “as soon as possible.”

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=85886

Lego Architecture Studio (21050) Review by Jim Butcher @ Eurobricks

Lego Architecture Studio (21050) Review by JimButcher

The LEGO Architecture Studio (21050) is a very mysterious set. Currently only available in the United States, this set can be hard to find. Because of this, the set is wrapped up in mystery. Jim Butcher got his hands on this massive set and broke it open to document and review what he found. The Architecture Studio contains 1,210 pieces and comes in a very unconventional box. Most official Lego sets are released in a flat(ish) rectangle shaped box, not so for the Architecture Studio. This is a huge package. Taking up the space of 3 or 4 normal Lego sets. Inside is a very unique set, that Lego has never produced before.

Besides the 1,210 Lego pieces the set comes with two clear sorting trays. Fun fact: these sorting trays are official Lego pieces. They work well, and help to manage the massive amount of like sized/shaped pieces. Speaking of which, almost every piece is white. With the exception of a handful of transparent pieces. The whole point of the Lego Architecture Studio is to use the included pieces to begin building technically minded architecture models. The monochrome color scheme helps break the Lego models down to their core concept, while reinforcing the minimalistic goal of the set.

Lego Architecture Studio (21050) Pieces by JimButcher

The large Lego piece count and sorting trays are not the main focus of this set. The instruction manual or book is the star. A huge 272 page perfect bound book. Featuring tips, building techniques, styles, history, and general information about Architecture and Lego. The book does not contain standard instructions. No step by step builds of famous architectural models. Instead the book features very general instructions, often showing the building of a model across only 3-4 steps. The Lego Architecture Studio (21050) is an educational and inspirational set, sharing more in common with Lego Mindstorms then Lego Star Wars.

Lego Architecture Studio (21050) Book by JimButcher

Read the full review by Jim Butcher over at Eurobricks: http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=85176&st=0

Lego Architecture Studio (21050) Book Download

UPDATE: It looks like Lego has taken the file offline. Lego has offered a .pdf download of the whole 272 page book from the Lego Architecture Studio (21050). This is huge download, at 413 MB. Check it out here:
http://cache.lego.com/bigdownloads/buildinginstructions/6062928.pdf

Amazon has the set for sale, but like other recently popular sets it comes and goes out of stock often. Check it out on Amazon here: LEGO Architecture Studio (21050)

The Great Neuschwanstein Castle in Lego

T-Brick's Lego Neuschwanstein Castle Box

Neuschwanstein Castle might be the most famous castle on Earth. A Romanesque Revival castle located in Germany, near the village of Hohenschwangau. The castle construction completed relatively late, in the year 1892. Since then, this little castle has made appearances in the films: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Ludwig, and Ludwig II. But, most importantly it was the original insperation for Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.

T-Brick's Lego Neuschwanstein Castle

This Lego Neuschwanstein Castle is the creation of T-Bone, who put a whole lot of hard work into it. Not only has the color scheme been carefully thought out, but the details and design are accurate to the real life castle. Every window, door, tower, and room is accurate. Where there should be 5 windows, as on the real Neuschwanstein Castle, there are 5 windows in this Lego MOC. T-Bone even got the tree and pavement details correct.

Also note the extremely well made micro carriage with horses in the castles entrance.

T-Brick's Lego Neuschwanstein Castle Detail

Check out T-Bone’s Lego Neuschwanstein Castle over on Brickshelf: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=514019

Also make sure to check out the castle over on the Lego CUUSOO page: http://lego.cuusoo.com/ideas/view/1128

Lego Creator: Sydney Opera House (10234)

Lego Sydney Opera House (10234) Box

Brickworld is currently happening in Chicago, and Lego has  decided to reveal a few new things. Besides the CUUSOO update, Lego has announced their next Creator set: the Sydney Opera House. This new model features 2,989 Lego pieces, built on three baseboards with a modular setup. This approach to building allows this massive set to be moved around easily, without becoming flimsy or delicate. Australia’s most famous Opera House has always been a challenge for Lego to create. The modern curves and clean lines are not the easiest thing to render in Lego. Lego finally believes they have achieved it and will be offering the Sydney Opera House (10234) for sale this September.

“One of the 20th century’s most distinctive buildings- the Sydney Opera House™. Build the unmistakable shell roofline, waterfront forecourt and more with this authentic representation of Australia’s most iconic building. Employ a variety of new and advanced building techniques to recreate the complex forms, angled walls and subtle detailing of the real thing! Collect lots of dark tan LEGO® bricks including the rare 1x1x2/3 stud and 1x2x2/3 stud slopes, as well as a 48×48 stud baseplate in blue for the very first time!” — Lego

Lego has released a design video showcasing the new Opera House: http://youtu.be/30qZPIXEEHo
Also, check out the Lego Architecture version of the Sydney Opera House on Amazon.com.

New Lego Architecture set: United Nations Headquarters (21018)

Lego Architecture United Nations Headquarters 21018

It looks like the next set in the Architecture theme will be the United Nations Headquarters (21018). This set has a lot of creative details. The little Lego joysticks/levers for flagpoles, a technic brick for a fountain, and little Lego grill pieces set together for windows.

This years Architecture sets have all been great. With the Imperial Hotel (21017) and the Leaning Tower of Pisa (21015) being released so far, it will be interesting to see what else Lego will release this winter.

Big thanks to Flickr user motayan for posting the first photo.