Going Once, Going Twice

Courtesy Modular Auction Corner by exis-

Bidding Boulevard - (BTT) Perhaps ebay and the like are fine for those times you absolutely need a fine collectible but can't be bothered putting on pants, but there is nothing like the thrill of seeing the disappointment in everyone's faces you just outbid as you carry your loot home right then and there. This stately auction house just ups the ante, with its beautifully detailed exterior (check out those second floor windows on the left) and equally stunning interior. No word if the gorgeous chandelier is also on the auction block - bring your checkbooks, because you'll need to be outbid yours truly if you want it!

Slivers of Water

Courtesy Canal Street House by BrickCityDepot

Grachtengordel, Amsterdam - (BTT) Venice might try to hog all the attention when it comes to waterlogged European cities, but with over 100 kilometers of canals circling the city, Amsterdam is no slouch (plus it has the advantage of not currently sinking into the sea). Canal houses like the beautiful examples above have always been high on demand and higher on style - after all, who wouldn't want to say they own a place right on the water, even if that water is narrow enough to spit across. 

Justice for All

Courtesy Bricklyn Borough Courthouse by sonicstarlight

Judicial Row - (BTT) Few things are more satisfying in life than seeing the innocent vindicated and the guilty punished, and where better to see the drama play out than in the courtroom. Standing tall among its neighbors is the Bricklyn Borough Courthouse, ready to dispense truth, justice, and all that other good stuff. The first floor features a mosaic tiled entry lobby, large conference rooms for lawyers to negotiate (read: scream) with each other, and offices for the various clerks and support staff. Head upstairs to the second floor to find the courtroom itself and the judge's chambers.

* Full disclosure - this article's author is also the architect, so take any claim of impartiality with a grain of salt.

Educational Benefits of LEGO

You know when your head hurts after staring at a really complicated model for hours on end? Well there is something going on underneath that noggin of yours. Check out this great little timeline and list of priceless benefits we get out of our favorite hobby. Thank you OnlineCollege.org for letting me know about this!

Via: Online College Advice

Invisible Harvest

Courtesy Oxygen Farm by LUKY'S 1987 LEGO CREATIONS 

The Great Beyond - (BTT) When you think of farms, you probably picture rows of wheat and corn, maybe some cows and chickens, and quaint little houses in the middle of nowhere. No doubt farms are important for providing us endless edibles to stuff in our faces, but what needs more urgent than eating? Breathing certainly comes to mind, and thankfully these brave explorers are making sure that oxygen is always at hand (and in lung). What could have been a banal but vital addition to the foreign landscape is actually anything but thanks to some truly wonderful asymmetrical patterns on the main facades. 

Grub Fiction

Courtesy Big Kahuna Burger by Bricktron

Quentin Beach, Hawaii - (BTT) With all the burger joints out there, from the well-known fast food chains to the local restaurants with their own signature sandwich, it can be hard to stand out in the crowd. The Hawaiian-themed Big Kahuna Burger might not have the snappiest of slogans, but they sure know how to make a mean patty - it's no surprise that their food is a favorite among the Hollywood elite, especially while on the job.

Inspiration of the Day - 2/12/12

Courtesy Riverview High School by RTC1

Sarasota, Florida - (BTT) We've covered a lot of buildings that have had near misses with the wrecking ball over these last few months, but not all buildings have been so lucky. Riverside High School was completed in 1958 by architect Paul Rudolph - that same year he was appointed Dean of the Yale School of Architecture. This example of International Style architecture became the poster child of a movement which was later dubbed Sarasota Modern. Although there were a few undesired quirks associated with the building, especially when it rained, the use of covered walkways and sunshades over the windows made this a true pioneer in the field of green architecture. Unfortunately the building was demolished in 2009, despite the best efforts of preservationists and other architects, proving that we still have a lot to learn in terms of protecting important modernist works.

Fighting the Good Fight

Courtesy Minifig Rights Movement - Dutch HQ by Neverroads

The Netherlands - (BTT) It seems like everyone these days is part of some group or movement out to change the world - whether or not they truly are is a matter best left to other sites. In order to be truly organized, though, you need a proper headquarters, and thankfully the Minifig Rights Movement has a real beaut. Especially nice is the large spiral staircase enveloped by a three-story bay window on the rear facade - a space as inspirational as their cause. 

What's Old is New Again

Courtesy Brown Brick Recycle Plant by pabloglez

Waste Not Avenue - (BTT) While some attempts to save the planet seem a little out there, others just make perfect sense. The Brown Brick Recycle Plant has been turning our refuse into useful, wanted goods for years, long before "going green" became the fashionable thing to do. A quick tour of the factory floor shows every step of the process, from initial scrap to finished brick, while the building itself is environmentally friendly with its ample windows and well-insulated masonry.

Revisiting a Classic

Courtesy Modular Western Town by marshal banana 

The American West - (BTT) For those of you with a strong feeling of déjà vu, you have good reason - marshal banana's masterwork above has been featured on the site before. Not one to be left out on a worthy cause, I am pleased to join several other LEGO blogs in supporting this build on CUUSOO. At the time of writing, there are currently 2,600 supporters - more than a quarter way to the 10,000 needed to get the attention of LEGO with the hopes of seeing production. If you like what you see (and if you don't, what's wrong with you?) please click here and join the movement!