Tower Of Lothern

If eyes are the windows to the soul, are doors the window to the...wait a minute, buildings have actual windows, that doesn't work. How about the way to a man's heart...no, that's silly. I like the door on this tower...yeah, that's pretty lame too. It's just amazing to me how there can be so many details in a diorama, but most of the time there's just one thing you hone in on, in this case it's the door of this lovely tower by Dwalin Forkbeard.

Mission San Escobar

This lonely Caribbean island by PigletCiamek makes me want to be on a boat. Not a pirate ship really, but a Disney Cruise Line boat. And I won't get off the boat in all likelihood, I'll just admire the island from a distance while I eat way too much food and enjoy some activities. But since this is 1715 there's no such thing as DCL yet, so likely I have dementia and probably scurvy, and am actually in a small row boat. I'm a terrible Pirate.

HYPR10NN

Even the mechs with the highest of tech need a little diagnostics and TLC from time to time. Despite it's imposing appearance and no doubt incredible capability, this mech still needs a little time for a little upkeep in this cool MOC by geraldcacas. Unless that guy is just playing Space Invaders, possibly, maybe Galaga. Even techs need a little distraction from time to time.

Black Flag

I've never played any of the Assassin's Creed games, but if I ever do decide to jump in I'll certainly have a lot to play with some 10 titles in the series. The one I find the most fascinating is Black Flag, because pirates. I mean a mashup of time travel, elite assassins and pirates, how can it loose? It also makes for as awesome LEGO diorama as you can see from this layout by builder Legopard. And I'm pretty sure that's Captain Hook I see at the trading post, nice easter egg Jonas.

For Sale

Unique fixer-upper opportunity. Do you like to swing a hammer when you're not swinging a machete? Well this is the home for you! Enjoy plenty of fresh air on the second story while spotting for approaching raiders, and keep those carpentry skills fresh as you make improvements to your new abode. You know the utilities work because you can see them all in the open, and who actually likes yard work anyway? Don't let this this one slip away, contact agent sanellukovic today!

Elon's Retreat

Between the nicely done SNOT/tile walls and superb trees, this is a seriously parts heavy diorama by builder Ecclesiastes. There's loads of details everywhere you look. And I can totally relate to the need to use this splendid retreat. I'd like to have a place I could venture off to so I could decompress. I think I'll go to Disneyland tomorrow, it's the closest thing I have.

Charming Cottage, Room For Eight*

Tired of the hustle bustle life in a crowded village? Try the rural lifestyle! This charming cottage in the northern Black Forest region offers scenic views, wholesome living and easy access to a nearby mine. Many amenities including a full kitchen, carved wooden details and decorative pipe organ. See agent Cesbrick for details.

*seven of the beds are half size

Hershel's Barn

Confession time, I haven't watched The Walking Dead. So the context of this image is lost on me, I don't know who Sophia is or what's going on. What I do know is this diorama by builder speedyhead79 is loaded with detail and clever part use. My favorite is the stretcher holder (or dewback bridle) as fencing, perfect.

Barn Find

Picture the scene (well you don't have to work that hard, here's a MOC by Norton74 to help), you and a fellow gear head get word that old man Jessup might have an "old race car" in his barn while out hunting for parts. You track him down and he agrees to show you the old beater out back. You all enter the dusty old barn and with a completely nonchalant yank of a tarp he reveals a Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix. These things happen every year, and it has to be an amazing experience.

Castle Pyke

Game of Thrones fans should recognize this familiar castle, it's the Pyke, in the Iron Isles. The Ironborn are a hearty and gruff people, as proud as they are prone to violence. Here we see a not untypical ritual of succession, namely throwing the ruler from a great height and taking his crown. I'm usually not a fan of the mixing of old and new grey, but builder Eggy Pop pulls it off beautifully here.

Octoberfest

Suddenly I'm craving beer and pretzels, not good considering it's 6:45 am, but I have a good excuse. Check out all the fun this group of minifigures is having in this charming and super detailed scene by MinifigNick. Well, maybe not that guy in the middle, he seems to have overdone it perhaps.

Fill 'Er Up

And by "'Er" I mean my gas tank, shopping bag and belly, which you could do back in the day at your local service station. This throwback to the good old days by Norton74 features just such a station, and it's as charming as it was back then at the station that inspired it in Tucson Arizona. It features a detailed shop, store and diner, which are all superbly detailed and absolutely inviting.

Syndrome's Revenge

Fans of Pixar's The Incredibles should recognize this scene, when the wannabe super villain with a complex Syndrome brings a little terror to the city. This is of course right before his plan goes completely awry. I love the forced perspective, almost hollywood backlot feel to this. It's very cinematic.

Paris Steampunk

Check out this absolutely epic steampunk build from CASTOR-TROY. There is so much detail and rich story telling it's kinda hard to wrap my head around. No detail pictures yet, but there are a lot of work in progress photos after the jump, so you can get a good glimpse. And the more mind boggling aspect is this is a smaller part of a collaboration, I can't wait to see the whole thing revealed.

Summer On The Beach

Is there anything more quintessentially "summer" than two kids building a sandcastle on the beach? Throw in some sideways glances at bikinis, inevitable sunburn, the "sand" in sandwich, at least one glob of tar on your foot, the smell of coconut oil and some Pringles, and you've got the whole picture. A brilliant scene from builder Mark of Falworth.

Down To Davy Jones

I love the scale of this awesome little ship diorama by W. Navarre. Normally to get this kind of mood and detail the ships would be twice the size, but not this one thanks to some clever building techniques and perfect part selection. Combine that with excellent color selection and story, and it's pretty much a perfect MOC.

Patterson Seafood Corp.

Humans have been harvesting from the sea since we were smart enough to realize there's quite a bit of yummy food in there. Over the years the technology might have advanced a bit, but when it comes down to it, it's really just people in boats that make it all happen. This MOC by builder Arjan Oude Kotte features these very people and those very boats, and you can practically smell the salt air and hear the waves lapping and seagulls.

Ninja Ambush At Wukong's Palace

It looks like the tranquility in Wukong's Palace in Keyama is about to be shattered. There's a lot of cool details in this build by mkjosha. Check out the cool floor patterning in the back, as well as the asymmetrical pond under the bridge. If it wasn't for that attacking ninja, I'd like to hang out in this place for a little while. 

Taiping Lake Gardens

This beautiful lake diorama by builder wenyehng looks totally tranquil and inviting. With all the chaos in the world, and the craziness in my life with work and home, I find this irresistibly compelling. I don't think me plus a kayak would be a good mix, but drifting around in one of those swans, with a cool drink and little classical music sounds SO appealing. Click through for many more pictures.

Nassau 1715

I visited Nassau once, sorta. We were on a Disney cruise a few years ago and that was one of the ports. I have to confess I didn't even get off the boat. But I think if it had been 300 years earlier, and this was the view from the boat, I'd be heading down that gangway (and probably killed by pirates, bugger). This is a collaborative build from Ryan K, Erik Platt, Brian Carter, Patrick Taylor, Ben Lefke, Jack Spitler, and Max Sweeney that premiered at Brickfair VA and is just another reason I wish I could attend east coast events, gorgeous! Click through for more pics.