Sub‑themes | Landmark series Architect series |
---|---|
Subject | Buildings |
Licensed from | The Lego Group |
Availability | 2008–present |
Total sets | 66 [1] |
Official website |
Lego Architecture (stylized as LEGO Architecture) is a Lego theme that aims to "celebrate the past, present and future of architecture through the Lego Brick". [2] The brand includes a series of Lego sets designed by "Architectural Artist" Adam Reed Tucker, and each contain the pieces and instructions to build a model of a famous architectural building or city skyline in micro-scale.
Adam Reed Tucker earned a degree in architecture at Kansas State University in 1996. [3] While there, he sought a method to join his two passions of art and architecture, and hit upon the idea of using Lego bricks. From this, he founded Brickstructures, Inc., and began to design and build models of famous landmarks. His work was noticed by the Lego Group, and together they formed a partnership to release some of his models as commercially available Lego sets under the Lego Architecture brand.
According to Bricklink, The Lego Group has released 64 playsets as part of the Lego Architecture theme. [1]
Sets in the product line contain a premium booklet, that – besides the build instructions – also includes various information and pictures of the building itself.
By the beginning of 2009, six sets had been released in the range, under two 'series'. Within the 'Landmark Series' are models of the Sears Tower (21000), John Hancock Center (21001), the Empire State Building (21002), and the Space Needle (21003). Within the 'Architect Series' are models of the Guggenheim Museum (21004) and Fallingwater (21005).
In the beginning of July 2010, a seventh set, the White House (21006), was released. An eighth set (21007) was released in November 2010: New York's Rockefeller Center. The ninth set (21009), Farnsworth House (Plano, Illinois), was released in April 2011. A tenth set (21008), The Burj Khalifa, was released in June 2011. The Willis Tower (21000) was also released in 2011, this kit was a re-issue of the original Sears Tower kit; the only change was the printed tile to reflect the building's renaming.
An eleventh and twelfth set, the Robie House (21010) and the Brandenburg Gate (21011) were released in September 2011. [4] [5]
In January 2012, it was announced that the next Architecture set would be 21012 Sydney Opera House. The set was released in March 2012.
In June 2012, Big Ben (21013) was released. In July 2012, the Namdaemun Gate (renamed Sungnyemun Gate) (21016) was released. In September 2012, the Villa Savoye (21014) was released. The Eames House (21015) and Glass House were scheduled and then canceled, as it never came out as a set. The company tried to add the Eames House in again with set number (21025), but nothing could be done to put it in production.
In June 2013, the Leaning Tower of Pisa (21015) was announced for the Lego Architecture series. Its set number (21015) replaced the original Eames House after it was canceled. United Nations Headquarters (21018) came out next. In October 2013, Marina Bay Sands and the Eiffel Tower were both announced.
Set | Series | Name | Location | Released | Number of pieces | Retired | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
21000 | Landmark | Sears Tower [6] | Chicago | 2008 | 69 | 2014 | |
Willis Tower | 2011 | ||||||
21001 | Landmark | John Hancock Center | Chicago | 2008 | 69 | 2012 | |
21002 | Landmark | Empire State Building | New York City | 2009 | 77 | 2015 | |
21003 | Landmark | Seattle Space Needle | Seattle | 2009 | 57 | 2016 | |
21004 | Architect | Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum [7] | New York City | 2009 | 208 | 2014 | |
21005 | Architect | Fallingwater [7] | Mill Run, Pennsylvania | 2009 | 811 | 2015 | |
21006 | Architect | The White House | Washington, D.C. | 2010 | 560 | 2017 | |
21007 | Architect | Rockefeller Center | New York City | 2010 | 240 | 2014 | |
21008 | Landmark | Burj Khalifa [8] | Dubai | 2011 | 208 | 2014 | |
21009 | Architect | Farnsworth House [9] | Plano, Illinois | 2011 | 546 | 2015 | |
21010 | Architect | Robie House [10] | Chicago | 2011 | 2,276 | 2014 | |
21011 | Landmark | Brandenburg Gate | Berlin | 2011 | 363 | 2016 | |
21012 | Architect | Sydney Opera House [11] | Sydney | 2012 | 270 | 2015 | |
21013 | Landmark | Big Ben [12] | London | 2012 | 346 | 2017 | |
21014 | Architect | Villa Savoye [13] | Paris | 2012 | 660 | 2016 | |
21015 | Landmark | The Leaning Tower of Pisa | Pisa | 2013 | 345 | 2016 | |
21016 | Landmark | Sungnyemun [14] | Seoul | 2012 | 325 | 2014 | |
21017 | Architect | Imperial Hotel [15] | Tokyo | 2013 | 1,188 | 2016 | |
21018 | Landmark | United Nations Headquarters [16] | New York City | 2013 | 597 | 2016 | |
21019 | Landmark | The Eiffel Tower [17] | Paris | 2014 | 321 | 2019 | |
21020 | Landmark | Trevi Fountain [18] | Rome | 2014 | 731 | 2017 | |
21021 (limited edition) | Landmark | Marina Bay Sands | Singapore | 2014 | 602 | 2016 | |
21022 | Landmark | Lincoln Memorial [19] | Washington, D.C. | 2015 | 274 | 2017 | |
21023 | Landmark | Flatiron Building | New York City | 2015 | 471 | 2017 | |
21024 | Landmark | Louvre | Paris | 2015 | 695 | 2019 | |
21026 | Skyline | Venice | Italy | 2016 | 212 | 2018 | |
21027 | Skyline | Berlin | Germany | 2016 | 289 | 2018 | |
21028 | Skyline | New York City | United States | 2016 | 598 | - | |
21029 | Landmark | Buckingham Palace | London | 2016 | 780 | 2019 | |
21030 | Landmark | United States Capitol | Washington, D.C. | 2016 | 1,032 | 2020 | |
21031 | Landmark | Burj Khalifa | Dubai | 2016 | 333 | 2018 | |
21032 | Skyline | Sydney [20] | Australia | 2017 | 361 | 2019 | |
21033 | Skyline | Chicago [20] | United States | 2017 | 444 | 2019 | |
21034 | Skyline | London [20] | United Kingdom | 2017 | 468 | - | |
21035 | Landmark | Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum | New York City | 2017 | 744 | 2019 | |
21036 | Landmark | Arc de Triomphe | Paris | 2017 | 386 | 2019 | |
21037 (Lego House exclusive) | Landmark | Lego House | Billund, Denmark | 2017 | 774 | - | |
21038 | Skyline | Las Vegas | United States | 2018 | 487 | Replaced [lower-alpha 1] | |
21039 | Skyline | Shanghai | China | 2018 | 597 | 2021 | |
21041 | Landmark | Great Wall of China | China | 2018 | 551 | 2020 | |
21042 | Landmark | Statue of Liberty | New York City | 2018 | 1,685 | - | |
21043 | Skyline | San Francisco | United States | 2019 | 565 | 2021 | |
21044 | Skyline | Paris | France | 2019 | 649 | - | |
21045 | Landmark | Trafalgar Square | London | 2019 | 1,197 | 2022 | |
21046 | Landmark | Empire State Building | New York City | 2019 | 1,767 | 2022 | |
21047 | Skyline | Las Vegas | United States | 2018 | 501 | 2021 | |
21050 | Studio [21] | — | 2013 | 1,210 | 2019 | ||
21051 | Skyline | Tokyo | Japan | 2020 | 547 | 2022 | |
21052 | Skyline | Dubai | United Arab Emirates | 2020 | 740 | 2022 | |
21054 | Landmark | The White House | Washington, D.C. | 2020 | 1,483 | 2023 | |
21055 (European markets only) | Landmark | Burj Khalifa | Dubai | 2019 | 333 | 2022 [lower-alpha 2] | |
21056 | Landmark | Taj Mahal | Agra | 2021 | 2,022 | - | |
21057 | Skyline [22] | Singapore | Singapore | 2022 | 827 | - | |
21058 | Landmark [23] | Great Pyramid of Giza | Cairo | 2022 | 1,476 | - | |
21060 | Landmark [24] | Himeji Castle | Himeji | 2023 | 2,125 | - | |
21061 | Landmark [25] | Notre-Dame de Paris | Paris | 2024 | 4,383 | - |
Set | Name | Location | Released | Number of pieces | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
4000002 | LOM Moulding | Monterrey | 2011 | 174 | Given to employees. |
4000005 | KOM Moulding | Billund, Denmark | 2012 | 315 | Given to employees. Kornmarken Factory is the first and largest LEGO moulding and production factory. |
4000006 | Kladno Campus | Kladno | 2012 | 250 | Given to employees. |
4000009 | HMV Production | Billund, Denmark | 2013 | 285 | Given to employees. HMV is the name of the packing factory at LEGO Billund, which this set is based on. |
4000010 | LEGO House [26] | Billund, Denmark | 2014 | 250 | Only sold in Billund. Lego House opened in Billund in 2017. |
4000011 | Nyíregyháza Factory | Nyíregyháza | 2014 | 327 | Given to employees. Lego model of the Nyíregyháza Factory. |
4000015 | LOM Moulding B | Monterrey | 2014 | 215 | Given to employees. Additional packing building, which expands the footprint of the existing facility. |
4000016 | Billund Airport | Billund, Denmark | 2014 | 281 | Only sold at Billund Airport. This set was made for the 50th anniversary of the Airport. |
4000018 | Kladno Campus | Kladno | 2015 | 412 | Given to employees. Kladno campus is the name of building C at the Czech Lego factory, which this set is based on. |
4000023 | Jiaxing Factory | China | 2016 | 407 | Given to employees. Set of the Lego factory in Jiaxing, China. [27] [28] |
40199 | Billund Airport | Billund, Denmark | 2018 | 286 | Only sold at Billund Airport. New edition from 4000016. |
4000038 | LEGO Campus | Billund, Denmark | 2022 | 1,494 | Given to employees. Released to celebrate the grand opening of the LEGO Campus on April 5, 2022. |
The product range has been reviewed favorably by many commentators. Journalist Jenny Williams said "The scale on these kits is pretty small, though, so don't expect exquisite detail. But creating with Lego bricks is quite a fun way to pay homage to great architects". [29]
A near-exact replica of set 21006, The White House, appears in the eight story arc of the Japanese manga series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure , JoJolion, where it used by the villain character Poor Tom to activate his "stand" power, "Ozon Baby". [30] [31] [32]
Lego Harry Potter is a Lego theme based on the film series of the same name and the eponymous novels by British author J. K. Rowling. It is licensed from Warner Bros. Lego models of important scenes, vehicles and characters were made for the first six films and all of the published books. The first sets appeared in 2001, to coincide with the release of the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Subsequent sets were released alongside the new films, until Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The line then went dormant for three years, with sets being released in 2010 and 2011. In 2018, it was announced that more sets based on the Harry Potter franchise would be released, including new sets based on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and its sequel, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.
Lego Creator is a Lego theme for generic models. Creator sets have few specialized bricks to create buildings, creatures, vehicles, and robots. Some sets featured instructions for three different possible builds from the bricks included and most sets in recent years have used the 3-in-1 label. Creator is also a parent theme to Lego Icons, a Lego subtheme for adolescents and adults featuring advanced building techniques and large piece counts, mostly known for Modular Buildings and detailed vehicles. Creator also has had several other subthemes such as X-Pods and mosaics.
Lego Indiana Jones is a Lego theme based on the Indiana Jones film franchise created by George Lucas, licensed from Lucasfilm. The exclusive franchise was first announced in June 2007, and followed the successful Lego Star Wars franchise, also with Lucasfilm. The first set of products were launched in 2008, based upon two of the three earlier films. Sets featuring scenes from the fourth film, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, were released alongside the film, later in 2008. The Temple of Doom film was not featured until 2009, in a large set which re-created the mine-cart chase using new narrow-gauge Lego train track.
Lego Racers was a Lego product line with the first wave of sets being released in 2001. The range was first introduced in 2001 named after the Lego Racers video game series with the first wave of sets being based on the Xalax segment of Lego Racers 2. The earlier sets were designed more as racing car toys than construction toy, and included a launcher element that could be used to propel the vehicles. Over time the theme developed and became more in line with the style of other Lego products, while still encouraging a racing form of gameplay. The theme also included licensed models of real-life high-speed cars, such as a Lamborghini Gallardo and a Ferrari FXX. The product line was discontinued in 2013 after 12 years. A spiritual successor Lego Speed Champions was released in 2015, with a similar premise.
Lego Toy Story is a Lego theme based on the Disney·Pixar's Toy Story film franchise. The first four sets were released on December 30, 2009, with an additional two sets being released on January 4, 2010. In May, five Lego and four Duplo sets were released under the Toy Story 3 sub-theme. For the release of Toy Story 4 there was one Duplo set based on the third film and 6 Lego sets based on the fourth film. These sets were released in March and in April 2019 this time under the Juniors line. The minifigures in the sets were also now redesigned.
Lego Prince of Persia was a Lego theme based on the 2010 film Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. It was licensed from Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films. The theme was introduced in 2010 and was discontinued by the end of 2011.
Lego Ninjago is a Lego theme that was created in 2011 and a flagship brand of The Lego Group. It is the first theme to be based on ninja since the discontinuation of the Lego Ninja theme in 2000. It was produced to coincide with the animated television series Ninjago, which was superseded in 2023 by a new series titled Ninjago: Dragons Rising.
Lego Pirates of the Caribbean is a discontinued Lego theme that is based on the film series of the same name. It is licensed from Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films. There are nine known sets. The first wave was released in May 2011 with the second wave coming out in November 2011. In November 2010, it was officially announced by Lego that the video game Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game was in production. It was released on May 10, 2011, in North America. The series acts as a thematic replacement for the popular Lego Pirates theme, featuring many of the same elements. Most of the sets are similar to the Lego Pirates theme. The theme was first introduced in 2011 and discontinued in 2017.
Lego Speed Racer was a 2008 Lego theme based on the 2008 film Speed Racer. It consists of four sets which were first released in April 2008. The product line was discontinued by the end of 2009.
Lego Super Heroes is a theme and product range of the Lego construction toy, introduced in 2011, owned by The Lego Group and licensed from DC Entertainment, Marvel Entertainment, Warner Bros., The Walt Disney Company and Pixar.
Lego Ideas is a website run by Chaordix and The Lego Group, which allows users to submit ideas for Lego products to be turned into potential sets available commercially, with the original designer receiving 1% of the royalties. It started in 2008 as an offshoot of the Japanese company Cuusoo, named after the Japanese word 空想 kūsō.
Lego Icons is a series of Lego construction toys aimed at a demographic of adolescents and adults. Beginning in 2000 without an established logo or icon, Icons features models such as aircraft, sculptures, and world buildings, selling as exclusives with numerous specialized elements and complex building techniques. Icons is considered a challenge to both the target audience and Lego designers. All Icons sets are classified into specified sub-themes; however, the entirety of Icons is classified as a sub-theme of Lego Creator.
The Lego Movie is a Lego product line based on the 2014 film of the same name. It was licensed from The Lego Group and Warner Bros. Animation. The theme was first introduced in 2014 to coincide with the release of the film, along with The Lego Movie Video Game. Further sets were produced to coincide with the release of the second film in The Lego Movie franchise, titled The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. The product line was discontinued by the end of 2019.
The Lego Batman Movie is a discontinued product line based on The Lego Batman Movie, the second film of The Lego Movie franchise. It is licensed from The Lego Group, DC and Warner Bros. Animation Studios. The theme was first introduced in 2017 as part of a licensing and merchandising programme associated with the film. Alongside the release of the Lego sets, the programme included the release of several promotional short films and The Lego Batman Movie Game app. The product line was discontinued by the end of 2018.
The Lego Ninjago Movie was a product line based on The Lego Ninjago Movie, the third film of The Lego Movie franchise. It was licensed from The Lego Group and Warner Bros. Animation. The theme was introduced in 2017 as part of a licensing and merchandising programme associated with the film. Alongside the release of the Lego sets, the programme included the release of several promotional short films and The Lego Ninjago Movie Video Game. The product line was discontinued by the end of 2019.
Lego Cars is a Lego theme based on the Disney·Pixar's Cars film franchise created by John Lasseter, Joe Ranft and Jorgen Klubien. It was licensed from The Walt Disney Company and Pixar. The theme was first introduced in 2010 for Duplo Cars sub-theme based on the Cars film was released as part of the Duplo theme. In 2011, Lego Cars 2 sub-theme based on the Cars 2 film was released as part of the Lego System and Duplo theme. In 2017, Lego Juniors Cars 3 sub-theme based on the Cars 3 film was released as part of the Lego Juniors and Duplo theme.
Lego Brick Sketches is a Lego theme that recreates iconic characters as stylised portraits. It was first introduced in June 2020. Following the launch of Lego DOTS, a theme mainly targeted towards children, the Lego Brick Sketches theme is the first bas-relief portraits concept to be launched by the Lego Group.
Lego BrickHeadz is a Lego theme that recreates iconic characters from themes like DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Star Wars and Disney as buildable characters. The theme was first introduced in 2016.
Lego Fusion was a Lego theme that combined standard Lego bricks with a mobile app that was designed to interact and communicate with the build models according to the principle of augmented reality. The theme was first introduced on 1 August 2014 and exclusively in North America. It was eventually discontinued by the end of July 2015.
Lego FORMA was the first and only crowdfunded Lego theme. The theme's builds were inspired by fish, consisting of a base "Koi" set and several separate "skin" sets to customize the build. It was licensed and crowdfunded via Indiegogo, and managed by the LEGO Group. FORMA was considered to be a development upon the ideas of the 2011 Lego Muji theme, which combined paper and LEGO bricks. The theme was introduced on 1 January 2019 and was discontinued by the end of December the same year.