I'm having trouble attaching images for my entry. Is anybody else getting a "-200" error?
University of LEGO - Faculty of Astronomy and Astrophysics
The first thing that inspired this build was looking at the architecture of Universities and College campuses. Taking my local University of Toronto as a rough guide, I love how many of these buildings blend the modern with the classical. Often, you'll see 100+ year old buildings updated with modern renovations and furnishings. I wanted to imagine what a classical Victorian building would look like with modern technology and design integrated into it's structure.
The space theme came from one of my favourite official sets this year: the Space Research and Development People Pack 60230. I loved all the mini-builds that came within the set and I knew that I eventually wanted to build a complete lab to integrate all those wonderful builds into. My idea evolved beyond that, but you'll find the botanist minifigure and a variation of one those mini-builds on the second floor of the building.
Finally, the quarantine-era has given me lots of time to reflect and notice the little things I see on on my daily walks with the dog, looking at the shapes of the hydrometers outside of homes, signs and construction on the street, and counting all the little details I could notice. I tried to pack as many of them in here as I could.
The building is built on an unusual 32x24 base, has three removable detachable levels and roof as you might find on a modular building, and includes 11 minifigures and a dog. The first level is a lobby that features most of the original architecture of the building and a stone crest of the University, while the second floor has been renovated into a space research department. The upper deck is accessible via the rear balcony and features satellite consoles and access to a control tower for the powerful telescope resting on top of the building.
Pieces: ~1500
Estimated price: - $150
