"Build the Trust" Challenge and Project
The LEGO Group is sponsoring this challenge in conjunction with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which recently designated the LEGO Town Plan, the very first LEGO system range, as historic. More info on this....
BrickFest participants are challenged to build a replica of any of the National Trust's Historical Sites and or build an original model inspired by and or incorporating historic architectural Style and Detail.
The contest will consist of two categories, each in two possible scales:
- LEGO Replica of any of the National
Trust's Historic Sites
- Minifigure scale
- Micro scale
- MINILAND scale
- Original LEGO Model inspired by and incorporating Historic
Architectural Style/Detail
- Minifigure scale
- MINILAND scale
- Micro scale
Entrants will be judged at BrickFest in Washington, DC August 14. Models will be judged on engineering/construction/detail of design, originality, and creative use of LEGO elements. The judging committee will have a LEGO executive, a LEGO ambassador, an executive from the National Trust and the Graham Gund architect from the National Trust. [Official Rules]
There will be a finalist chosen from each category. The Grand Prize winner will be designated Champion LEGO Preservationist, and receive a LEGO trophy, a weekend stay in the National Trust Historic Hotel of their choice, and $500 spending money. Finalists will have their model on display at the appropriate National Trust for Historical Preservation site, and all entrants who bring a completed model to BrickFest will receive a certificate of participation from the National Trust for Historical Preservation.
For minifig scale buildings, if you would like to be part of the 50th Anniversary National Trust Village: Construct your property so that the length and width in studs is exactly (32 x N) + 12, where N = 1,2,3... and can be different in each dimension. City Planning concept: Build your property on BASE plates leaving ~6 studs (or more) for a side walk all around to edge. Attach one row of 1 x n plates under the outer perimeter (under the sidewalk). This allows the property to be connected to the road plates along one row of studs.
Rules and guidelines | Entry Form | Links to National Trust's Historic Sites
The following are resources to help guide the creativity, or at least provide some inspiration.
Prairie Style: 1900-1920
Developed by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Prairie Style was meant
to reflect the landscape of the mid-west prairie. Prairie homes typically have
a horizontal appearance with a low pitched gabled roof and overhanging eaves.
They are often two stories with walls of light colored brick, stucco, or wood.
Many have one story porches that continue the horizontal line theme. Windows
feature stained glass, often in geometric patterns.
Where are these homes?
Most Prairie Style homes are in the Chicago area but can also be found in other
parts of Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin even as far east as Rochester, NY.
National Trust site:
Robie
House: Chicago, IL
Queen Anne: 1880-1900
In the late 19th century, Queen Anne style emerged in England. It was intended
to combine classical ornament onto medieval forms. The style is varied, but
will often feature turrets, towers, gables, and bays. First floors were often
made of brick or stone with upper floors were of stucco or shingles. Huge “medieval”
chimneys, second story overhangs, verandas and balconies are also typical of
the Queen Anne style.
Where are these homes?
First introduced to the United States in Philadelphia, these homes have spread
to most major cities, from Boston to San Francisco. Some of the cottages of
Newport, RI are also famous for their Queen Anne style.
National Trust site:
Brucemore:
Cedar Rapids, MI
Neoclassical: 1785-1815
Thomas Jefferson introduced the Neoclassical style to American when he was asked
to assist with the design of Virginia State Capitol Building in 1784. Neoclassical
quickly became the style of choice for public buildings such as banks, courts,
town halls and churches. Its most distinctive feature would be the lavish use
of columns. Masonry was the main building material used, often complimented
with marble features. The White House in Washington, DC is one of the most famous
examples of Neoclassical architecture.
Where are these buildings?
There are many Neoclassical buildings in Washington, DC, but you can also often
find them in other major cities such as Baltimore, Richmond, Philadelphia and
Chicago.
National Trust site:
Montpelier:
Montpelier Station, VA
Georgian: 1700-1776
The Georgian style became popular in the 1700s in America as we sought to interpret
the English high style. It was named for the kings who ruled England at that
time. Hallmarks of Georgian design are rigid symmetry, axial entrances, geometrical
proportions, hipped roofs and sash windows. The Revolutionary war halted most
construction and effectively ended this style in America. It was revived at
the time of the 1876 Centennial when architects started looking to the past
for symbols of patriotism, hence the term Georgian-Revival: 1900-1940 which
applies to the more recent examples of Georgian architecture in the United States.
Where are these buildings?
Mostly found on the East coast
National Trust site:
Touro
Synagogue: Newport, RI
International Style: 1920-1945
The hallmarks of the International style are stark simplicity, functionalism
and modern materials such as concrete, glass, and steel. Buildings featured
bands of windows, even windows on corners, to create a horizontal effect. Fancy
details and roof ornamentation were left behind in favor of smooth clean surfaces
and flat roofs.
Where are these buildings?
Many examples of the international style can be found in areas surrounding Chicago,
Boston, and Philadelphia.
National Trust site:
Farnsworth
House: Plano, IL
Gothic Revival: 1830-1890
The Gothic Revival style came about at a time when literature was glorifying
the medieval period. It was a popular style for churches well into the 1900s.
Steep gabled roofs, pointed arches, towers and bay windows are common features
on Gothic Revival buildings. Many also feature leaded stained glass windows
and “gingerbread” trim on eaves and gable ends. These buildings
were intentionally asymmetrical and vary in size from small cottage homes to
elaborate masonry mansions.
Where are these buildings?
College campuses of Princeton, University of Pennsylvania and Yale; found all
across the US, but concentrated in the east.
National Trust site:
Lyndhurst:
Tarrytown, NY
Incorporating Historic Architectural Style/Detail
This is a very open category. What Does "Historic" Mean, Anyway? well the best please to poke around is the National Trust web site. The list below is a great guidline to follow. This information came from the City of Bloomington web page listing the criteria they use for determining historic Designation
Any structure that:
# Embodies distinguishing characteristics of an architectural or engineering
type;
# Has significant character, interest or value as part of the development, heritage
or cultural characteristics of the city, state, or nation; or is associated
with a person who played a significant role in local, state or national history;
# Is the site of an historic event with significant effect upon society;
# Is the work of a designer whose individual work has significantly influenced
the development of a community;
# Is the work of a designer of such prominence that such work gains its value
from the designer's reputation;
# Contains elements of design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship which represent
a significant innovation;
# Contains any architectural style, detail, or other element in danger of being
lost; or
# Owing to its unique location or physical characteristics, represents an established
and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood or the city.
The following two images reflect the consept behind the City Planning
