It’s nice to see the LEGO Architecture line doing a bit of a world
tour with its most recent run of sets and the latest touches down in
Seoul, South Korea with the Sungnyemun (Namdaemun). It’s interesting to
see how the pagoda-style gateway was achieved at such a small scale and I
have to give credit for the use of studs and other bits to at least
attempt to capture the exotic textures of such a beautifully elaborate
style.
BILLUND, Denmark – LEGO® Architecture, which uses the LEGO brick to
interpret the designs of iconic architecture around the world, has added
its first Asian landmark – the Gate of Exalted Ceremonies in Seoul,
better known as the Sungnyemun.
Sungnyemun has stood in the heart of South Korean capital since 1398
as one of the most complete examples of Joseon Dynasty architecture. It
is listed as the country’s foremost National Treasure.
“Sungnyemun survives as a symbolic marker of a lost place in time,”
says the architect and designer of many of the LEGO models Adam Reed
Tucker. In capturing the essence of Sungnyemun in LEGO bricks Adam
looked at the aesthetics rather than engineering, especially the use of
colours, patterns and materials that define the ‘spiritual DNA’ of a
culture.
Construction of Sungnyemun started in 1396 and was completed two
years later. Further alterations and renovations continued over the next
600 years. In 2008 the wooden structure was completely destroyed by
fire and it is expected that the restoration – using traditional hand
tools – will be complete at the end of 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment