Tag: architecture

Categories / Architecture, Toys and Games

Lego 20th Century Architecture Sets now available in the UK

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We featured these some time back, but after a quick browse of the Lego website, we've just noticed that the Lego Architecture Sets are now available in the UK.

We mentioned two originally, but now there are four US architectural classics on the market – the Empire State Building, the Seattle Space Needle, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and last, but certainly not least, Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater construction, which is pictured above.

All are detailed replicas, all come with booklets detailing the design and the history. Just make sure you've got plenty of time to build them. An image of the Guggenheim is over the page, with prices starting at £19.99. Here's to some of the same from Lego.

Find out more at the Lego website

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Categories / Architecture, Property

For sale: 1970s modernist six-bedroomed house on Lakeside Drive, Esher, Surrey

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It might be out of reach financially for most of us, but this six-bedroomed house on Lakeside Drive, Esher, Surrey is well worth a look for its cool modernist architecture.

It was designed back in 1975  by renowned architect Royston Summers, not just in a sought-after location, but also built on the side of a lake, one of a group of 16 houses sharing this location. A location that's subject to preservation orders for both the lake and trees, as well as being a private road.

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Categories / Architecture, Property

For sale: 1950s Erno Goldfinger-designed Wellesley House property in Broadstairs, Kent

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We usually feature huge art deco, midcentury or modernist architectural masterpieces on these pages, great to look at, but pretty much always unaffordable to all of us. Well, here is a semi-detached house that's firmly in the 'affordable' bracket for more of us – but it's also an Erno Goldfinger-designed Wellesley House property in Broadstairs, Kent.

In truth, the designer and the history of the house are actually more interesting than the property, but just think…you can tell the world your home was designed by a modernist legend. How cool would that be?

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Categories / Architecture, Books

CCCP: Cosmic Communist Constructions Photographed book by Frédéric Chaubin

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Cccp2

Fans of weird and wonderful extreme, space age and brutalist architecture will no doubt love CCCP: Cosmic Communist Constructions Photographed book by Frédéric Chaubin, which is published by Taschen.

Photographer Chaubin highlights 90 buildings that were constructed from 1970 until the break-up of the Soviet Union, a diverse range of architecture that has one thing in common – all of it has the power to amaze. From a crematorium adorned with concrete flames to a summer camp inspired by sketches of a prototype lunar base and a technological institute with a flying saucer crashed on the roof, it's all here and more.

Supported by words of explanation over the 288 pages, you can 'browse' the book at the Taschen site and you can see another image over the page. It's much cheaper to buy at Amazon though, with around a third off the RRP, selling for £22.74.

Find out more about the book at the Amazon website

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Categories / Architecture, Art and Photography

Skylon print by Paul Catherall

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Skylon
This Skylon print by Paul Catherall is another striking piece of artwork created to mark the 60th anniversary of Festival of Britain.

The Skylon tower was built as part of the Festival of Britain but lasted only a year before being taken down It now just survives on London's Southbank as the name of the Royal Festival Hall resturant. Catherall's linocut makes it look like the futuristic creation it must have appeared like back then – he says he was aiming to capture the adventure and spirit of optimism of the festival. The colours used are perfect to reflect the period of Skylon and help create a striking piece of artwork. 

The print is limited to 60 and costs £195. 

Buy it from The Southbank Centre

Categories / Architecture, Art and Photography, Cars and Bikes

100 years of Michelin House

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Michelin poster

If you are London based, you may want to check out some of the events designed to celebrated 100 years of Michelin House. 

This distinctive building, on the corner of Fulham Road, was commissioned by the Michelin company as their first British HQ. They moved out in 1985 when it was bought by Terence Conran and Paul Hamlyn. The building now hosts the Conran Shop as well as the Bibendum oyster bar and remains as architecturally interesting as ever, decorated with stained glass, ornate tiles and combining a curious mixture of Art Nouveau and Art Deco influences. 

Currently the front of the shop and a small display is devoted to the building's history, including some archive photographs and original advertising posters. As part of the celebrations, six of these iconic pieces of Michelin advertising, selected from their historic archive, have been re-issued by the Conran Shop on canvas – including the distinctive design above. 

Unfortunately the prints are currently available in store only but prices start at £99 for a 72 x 52cm print. 

Find out more about the prints and other instore events online.