On Jan 8, 2015, at Taliesin West, in Scottsdale, Ariz., Architectural LEGO Artist Adam Reed Tucker will unveil the first model of Taliesin West ever made from LEGO bricks and the largest LEGO model of any Frank Lloyd Wright building.
With a group of local schoolchildren (who have all been served by the Foundation’s extensive K-12 educational programs in one of its renowned “Architecture Camps”), Tucker will put the final pieces of the model into place. Demonstrating how he built the model through the use of standard LEGO bricks, Tucker hopes to inspire children to explore and learn about architecture, art, and design.
Containing more than 180,000 LEGO bricks in 11 colors and 120 different shapes, the model measures eight by four feet. It is Tucker's largest LEGO build to date. Working in accordance with the LEGO Certified Professional Program, he spent 40 hours researching and studying the project, 120 hours designing the LEGO model, and 260 hours constructing the final model of Taliesin West.
Sean Malone, President and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, said, "Taliesin West is already one of the great historic and architectural experiences in the world—for visitors from all backgrounds and interests. I am so excited that, for the next four months only, people who visit Taliesin West will have the wonderful bonus of experiencing Adam’s remarkable and playful work of art in Legos."
"This model has been an exceptional challenge for several reasons,” said Tucker, “which is why it has also been exceptionally interesting. This has certainly been the most complex project I have ever undertaken.”
Among the many design factors and construction considerations that Tucker had to contemplate range from the mundane—such as how the model will be transported—to the complicated, like how best to represent the different materials, textures and colors so specific to this structure.
Other challenges include scale, proportion, layout, topography, stylization, structural integrity, likeness, piece availability, and detail feasibility. All of these considerations are magnified by the “scratch-build” process that Tucker employs. He does not use any computer software or sketches in working out the building process of the model. He does not use any glue to secure the pieces and all parts are genuine LEGO bricks commonly available.
Built in 1937, Taliesin West was the winter home of Wright and school of Frank Lloyd Wright and is one of the most visited Frank Lloyd Wright sites in the world.
This model will be on display in the Pavilion at Taliesin West until the end of April and available for viewing by anyone attending a tour of Taliesin West. Reservations for tours are available by visiting www.franklloydwright.org.
Related Stories
Architects | Nov 18, 2016
A Frank Lloyd Wright building in Montana will soon be demolished, or will it?
The building is one of only three Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings in the state.
Architects | Nov 11, 2016
Six finalists selected for London’s Illuminated River competition
The competition is searching for the best design for lighting the bridges of central London.
Healthcare Facilities | Nov 10, 2016
Prescription for success: Managing technology in the design of healthcare facilities
While the benefits of intelligently deployed technology are abundantly clear to both designers and healthcare end-users, it’s no simple task to manage the integration of technology into a building program.
Industry Research | Nov 4, 2016
New survey exposes achievement gap between men and women designers
Female architects still feel disadvantaged when it comes to career advancement.
Architects | Nov 2, 2016
NCARB launches ARE 5.0
The newest version of the exam required for an architecture license, ARE 5.0, launched on Nov. 1.
Architects | Oct 24, 2016
Winners of the 2016 AAP American Architecture Prize announced
The AAP recognizes the most outstanding architecture worldwide across three disciplines: architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture.
Architects | Oct 21, 2016
A process of analysis and synthesis gives architects and designers the information they need to create
Sometimes people look only for the simple answer and don’t understand that there is a calculated process to get there, writes HDR’s Lynn Mignola.
Architects | Oct 21, 2016
The AIA Innovation Award Recipients have been selected
The program honors projects that highlight collaboration between design and construction teams to create better process efficiencies and overall costs savings.
Architects | Oct 21, 2016
NASA Orbit Pavilion to debut at The Huntington Library at the end of October
The pavilion uses sound to represent the movement of the International Space Station and 19 earth satellites.
Higher Education | Oct 20, 2016
Designing innovative campuses for tomorrow's students
Planning for places that foster effective innovation is still an emerging process, but the constant pressure on universities to do so continues from two of their key institutional constituencies—students and employers, writes Perkins+Will's Ken Higa and Josh Vel.
