Mini Parisian Restaurant

If there's anything I enjoy more than nicely done modular buildings, it's a micro build of said modular buildings. The Parisian Restaurant is one of my favorites, and this miniature version of it by builder Simon NH is instantly recognizable. And just like it's full size counterpart, it's brimming with charm. There's so many clever techniques and part uses here I don't know where to start, so just gawk at it like I've been doing.

Micro Parisian Restaurant

Sagrada Familia

I was unaware of this particular structure until this morning. One of the lovely benefits of being in a world-wide community of builders is learning about distant people, places and things. Construction started on this basilica in 1882, 100 years before I started high school, and it's STILL not done! For once a reference to the 80's that doesn't make me feel really old! Luckily this micro scale version by Swan Dutchman didn't take nearly as long.

Sagrada Familia

Tiny Siege

Is it possible for a siege to be cute? I mean, we're talking about the use of military force to invade a city, the inevitable bloodshed, the shattering of lives, yet it's adorable. Sure you can argue that it's only because of the scale, the fact that it's built from a child's toy and the bright cheery colors that it's cute. But it's war, absolutely charming and delightful war from builder MarcelV.

Tiny Siege!

Micro Tintin Rocket

I love a MOC that makes me go "wait, what?" That was precisely my reaction as I scrolled Flickr this morning and came across this little wonder by builder [E]ddy. Yes, that's Tintin's rocket, and yes, it's only 6 parts, and yes those are stickers (but the builder assures us they are official LEGO stickers). It's all so meticulously done and wonderfully simple.

Micro Lego Tintin "Explorers on the moon"

Westminster

One of the pleasures of my daily commute in London (there weren't many) was the view of Parliament from the train as we passed over the Thames. I never got tired of seeing Big Ben every morning. I was also lucky enough to be present at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. I stood outside Westminster Abbey (with 10k of my closest friends) and watched the carriages come and go, it was an amazing experience. Speaking of amazing, check out this suburb micro scale build of the Westminster Heritage Site by Rocco Buttliere. It is one of the most finely crafted and elaborately detailed builds of this site I've ever seen, on any scale.

Benny's Homestead

We all know Benny's affection for spaceships, but have you ever wondered where he lives? Builder Casey M has and crafted this sweet little micro build. It's from a series of MOCs exploring alternate uses or modification of Lowell spheres. The bottom half of this is one section of a sphere, giving the impression the dwelling was built on a partially destroyed (or seriously excavated) moon.

Benny's Space Homestead #1

Modular Road System

Every once in a while a builder posts something so clever or well done it could be the foundation of a real line from LEGO. This modular road system by builder LEGO 7 could absolutely be developed into a full-fledged theme. I could even see it being a sub-theme of established properties, like Star Wars or Ninjago. It's practically there already, with a cameo by Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.

little cars
little cars

Twilight Cemetery

Building in a single color is a challenge, that's why it makes such a good contest, but this little MOC by builder Emil Lidé shows how it can also be a great study in texture and clever part use. There's so much to like in this roughly 16x16 diorama that it defies it's scale. Stuff like the pip shooter trigger for tombstones, and wound chain for trees, it's a lovely little scene.

Twilight Cemetery (1 of 2)

The "AT" Stands For All Terrain

Whether it's the classic AT-AT or the newer AT-ACT, or the other Imperial walking vehicles, the AT stands for All Terrain, and they mean in. We've seen these things walk through everything from snow to forest to tropical paradise, and keep those pesky rebels on their toes. These positively adorable micro scale walkers from builder Grantmasters show just how versatile these machines really are.

Enemy at the Gate
We Will Fight Them on the Beaches

Micro Scale Castle in a Glass Dome

I've always had great respect for builders who build in micro scale. While their builds are (typically) small, the part selection, and piece usage has to be very intentional to convey a specific idea(s) while only taking up a very small space. As an added level of difficulty builder Peter Ilmrud also restricted himself to a specific dimension, in this case an IKEA glass dome. The result is stunning and makes for a beautifil desk decoration.

Micro Scale Castle in Glass Dome 1

Micro Scale Castle in Glass Dome 4

Tri-pod Walker

What do behemoth monsters and strange invaders from other worlds have against Tokyo? Take this trip-pod walker from builder Tokyo Tag Team for instance, what the heck did that building do to deserve that? I visited Tokyo once, it's an amazing place filled with wonderful people and interesting sights everywhere. I can assure you the urge to destroy it didn't occur to me once the entire time I was there.

Tri-pod Walker

More From Westeros

Builder Legopard is back with a couple more offerings inspired by the opening titles of Game of Thrones. First up is Castle Black, home of the Night's Watch, defenders of the wall. They've been guarding the north so long they barely remember what they're guarding it from. And next is King's Landing, where you go to sit on the most powerful throne in Westeros, and probably get killed shortly after.

GoT - Castle Black
GoT - King's Landing

Winter Is Here

As anticipation of the final season of Game of Thrones builds, I expect we'll see a few more GOT inspired MOCs. These two beautifully built micro scale castles from Legopard are inspired by the mechanical ones in the opening credits of the epic series. The hardest part of viewing them is not hearing the theme song, and that nagging thought that we're still months away.

GoT - The Twins
GoT - Winterfell

Old Meets New

One of the things I love about micro scale is the imaginative use of parts it tends to have. And sometimes, those parts aren't exactly new. The trees in this little Chateau by simply bricking it date way back to 1966 (whoa, something older than I am!) but of course being LEGO they work perfectly together. Now If i could just figure out what those parts on the front are...

Chateau by the Oaks