Building Asia Brick by Brick is an architectural exhibition currently touring China put together by ArtAsiaPacific magazine, People’s Architecture Foundation and LEGO to raise the awareness of architectural preservation in Asia. The exhibition features the architectural designs of some of Asia’s leading architects, but you won’t find any traditional model building materials here, each original architectural model is built entirely out of LEGOs. The models will tour the urban hubs of Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu before being auctioned off in New York in 2008. Inhabitat brings you highlights of the Shanghai event.
Model by Ma Qingyun for
MADA s.p.a.m. Shanghai/Los Angeles
Model by Zhu Xiaofeng for Scenic Architecture Shanghai
Model by Urbanus Architecture and Design Shenzhen/Beijing
Children building their own designs in Shanghai.
Building Asia Brick by Brick is currently touring China as part of the Get It Louder! (GIL) Festival. GIL engages China’s dynamic, intelligent and trend-conscious youth population by bringing together cutting-edge international and Chinese creative talent in the art, design and architecture fields, and continues through September.
Venues:
Guangzhou: 6/23-7/8 Grandview Mall
Shanghai: 7/21-8/4 Life Hub @ Daning
Beijing: 8/16-9/1 Soho Shangdu
Chengdu: 9/13-9/25 Bailian Tianfu Shopping Mall
Please explain how building with legos will preserve China’s rich architectural heritage? Which, by the way is being torn down or flooded at an alarming rate. Building with legos does not enrich the present with an understanding of the old building traditions…it simply lets those who build image a new world of blocks that snap together in one way.
I think that the point is to involve youth in the development of the future of China. Introducing children to the creative arts, and design in any form is an enriching experience and should be applauded not shunned. Four photographs also may not do this exhibition justice. I just finished my Masters Degree in Architecture, and I started out by playing with Legos. So again, I believe that the incorporation of the youth and design in any form, can only lead to good things, and if they are exposed to architecture at an early age maybe they to can become as passionate about the preservation of their own countries historic architecture as you.
I came across this page looking for a photograph of a lego brick to use as a strong visual to represent my intention in an Architecture competition by the Design Museum, London, UK. I’m 17 and I believe that the concept of this project is similar to my own, within it’s context, and that the use of lego is fundamental to create a climate for inspiring new, innovative and sustainable design.
I thank you hmluby for sharing your wisdom JJWY
I came across this because I am building a house in Asia, Bangkok, and made the architectural model out of legos too: http://newhomepages.com