Element Tampa Update

Took a break from June 20-25 to do a McDonalds location using bricks from a particular order, mainly to clean that lot off and turn it into something. With the McD's complete (I want to show pics at a certain time!), I returned to Element with a fresher mind!

The Concrete behemoth is continuing to develop. With some red elements sorted I got motivated to work the structurals first to take the slack off of a well-filled up container. I want to get Red pieces into ONE small Sterilite bin (8.5x11x2") so that would push the rest of the "Reds" into service or for sale. Now the South side is finally shaping up and some of the integral elements are finally being clamped to form a super supporting backbone.

Robin of the GFLUG also began to do the Skypoint tower. His model is lookin' sleek and is suited for the 1x2 city block. Oh wait, I said 1x2. Why is this 2x2? I feel it will toll the look of the model to tighten the long section to the 1x2 space. There is a solution that can integrate this item into the city beautifully that I can impose:

The big 2x2 section is obviously Element...
The left 24 studs can be 2 lanes (8 studs each) of Tampa St. 4 left and 3 right can be the sidewalk.
The gray section can be Franklin. (2 lanes, 6 studs each) The road takes a turn in real life so it may work in for the road to be quite off. 4 Stud sidewalk that narrows closer to Polk (imaginary line down south) can let the road slightly inch to its aligned self.
The right section can be the old time buildings, some of which I can try to construct. There's this old theater and this other building that appear easy.

When will this be completed?
Yes, I know Robin got about 2/5 of Skypoint done in one Sunday afternoon. I am digging through all my gray elements trying to construct the garage section and should expect to run out clean of it. I may be taking to a couple of cases of elements from the ORLANDO LEGO Store, such as Gray 2x4 and Clear 1x2 brick. I anticipate two trips to Central Florida to three, one on my own terms while the other two are strictly Train Trips. The cup purchased on May 27 from the Sunrise store has almost been depleted save for a few clear 1x2 plates and the Medium Blue bricks (windows), as expected. I expect to have the garage section completed by August 1st. The second section which may put me 2/3 way to the top will probably be finished around January 1st and the building should be topped off, LEGO Style, by March 25, 2013.

"Streamlining" - Preview

You are a LEGO builder who has 100000+ parts. You have tried sorting time after time but each system was both incomplete and obsolete (hey, that rhymes!). The time has come. A new sorting system, a new way of handling things. Other interests need focus and space. Models not in use nor expected in use are waiting to be put aside. How can it be done? With a clever system. The following posts will demonstrate step by step how it can be done.

Ninjago No More...

It has been  revealed that the Ninjago line will be taken off LEGO's market once the third line is released...

...which surprises me after hearing what has been quoted by Jason (The Brick Show).

I have not been a fan of Ninjago myself but the line has been of decent appeal to youngsters. I am not surprised that it was the second most money making line for the company. It is an action line but the playability is there.

The quoted replacement was implied to be something that will be better than the Ninjago series.

With my LEGO interests being lines of more realistic and basic elements for architectural reasons (with a few Star Wars thrown in for good measure), I will probably not be changed by the new line. I do buy up some fantasy themes mainly for parts so this doesn't mean too much. But it is still noteworthy considering the level of success the company has gotten out of it. I hope the audience itself agrees with the promising quality noted at Brick Cascade.

Art and Culture Back with Sawaya Exhibit

Nathan Sawaya's famed works will be back in Hollywood, FL's cozy and historic Art and Culture Center for a third time beginning this weekend. I have liked his exhibits in the past as they manipulate the LEGO brick to a really mind blowing degree. 2008 was the first rotation and outdid the center's expectations while 2010 seemed to have produced a successful year. (Now, I missed the 2010 show due to an international trip.)
You guys should check it out. He manipulates physics to which small points of contacts hit the ground, making the center of gravity of each model both interesting and challenging to redo.

The other treat is the contest held each exhibit. With a (new?) entry fee, one can put their models for show and get prizes. I succeeded in 2008 (almost mistakenly calling myself a group, but glad I didn't!). I want to express a new idea this year with a new, wholly thought out model. I am indeed shooting for a signature train build this year and give it a more innovative diorama. We'll wait and see as the months progress; I have a bit of time to enter my piece this year.

http://artandculturecenter.org/nathan-sawaya has the full scoop.

Element, and modern buildings...

This weekend should be a great time to continue Element. Of course, rainy days are in turn building days. I have purchased parts from the Sunrise PAB wall last week in hope of utilizing them on this building and they may just be used up tomorrow!

Even though it is not Café Corner scale the whole way up, I still like building these edifices. I have been sick of dealing with suburban or rural 1-2 story midgits and the Modular series.

In fact, if you ask me, what has been offered in the modular series was not my taste and not really modern enough to suit it. The old buildings are nice structures and architectural challenges, do not get me wrong. It is just that I want to see more flashy, cool and sleek modern structures get that same treatment, to be released by the LEGO company.

It is like saying; the modular buildings define the main streets of the town, but the new skyscrapers define the future. But then again, LEGO would not see cost effectiveness in producing a 7000 part skyscraper. Yet keep in mind, there are 1 to 2 story modern buildings that can be replicated in detail as well.

Anyway, what I do like is the presence of challenge and motive to create. If these sets were spoon fed, I wouldn't be able to really think of doing much.

Element has been looking pretty good. Some of the garage has made it to the third floor and the windoes are coming in for some sections. Though, the rest of the building has probably not been raised above a brick's height. The interesting idea will be that the complete lower garage module will look a heck of a lot like a square stadium. It will be 20"x20"x18" in height, so "humongous piece" must be the right set of words to describe it.

Yet, Rob W. of the GFLUG told me something I would consider very motivating. By identifying the build as a challenging model, I am now in the phase of engineering a way to complete the structure effectively. Challenge you ask? More like the curved glass panels that span the rest of the building are the hardest thing to model. I'll probably make things in blocks of 6 and 2 studs with a slight angular turn.

Another challenge is allowing for incredible redundancy with balconies to be displayed. Supposedly, SNOT is my best friend but it can be more difficult to implement. Every 3-brick floor I will end up needing to put in plates with the patio section protruding from the model. Multiply that by about 400.

All I can say is... if I can dream it I can build it. Challenge accepted. Expect Element in display from 2013.