You may have seen LEGO Architecture sets in the store or maybe you even own a set, but have you ever wondered where the theme originated and for what purpose? Read on to find out!
LEGO Architecture is a sub-theme of LEGO that focuses on recreating accurate representations of real-world buildings and using LEGO bricks to recreate their iconic features. The first LEGO Architecture set was designed by a real Architect, Adam Reed Tucker in 2008. The first sets to be designed were the Sears Tower (19710) and The John Hancock Center (19720).
While most LEGO sets are meant to be played with, the sets in the LEGO architecture line are more like miniature models or sculptures. They are often displayed on shelves or desks, and many people use them as decorations in their homes or offices.
The first set in the LEGO architecture line was released in 2008, and since then there have been over 50 different sets released. Some of the most popular ones include replicas of the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, Big Ben, and the Sydney Opera House.
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Adam Reed Tucker
Adam Reed Tucker studied architecture at Kansas State University, where he achieved a degree in philosophy of design theory and graduated in 1996. After graduation, he worked as an architect for over 10 years in Kansas City and Chicago.
Tucker turned to the LEGO brick as his medium, and quickly discovered that it was perfect for exploring architectural principles while also creating models like skyscrapers and roller coasters at conventions and private showings. This passion led him to work with the LEGO Group where he became a LEGO Certified Professional.
As well as being the creator of the LEGO Architecture theme, Tucker also founded Brickworld, which is the largest LEGO fan convention in North America.
In 2009, Tucker had his first exhibit of landmarks and skyscrapers made from LEGO bricks in Chicago at the Museum of Science and Industry. Tucker continues to work with the LEGO Group.
In 2019 Tucker left the LEGO Group and created the Atom Brick where he designed his own sets made from his own interconnecting plastic bricks he called mini bricks. The mini brick is a 3/4 scale brick.
LEGO Architecture Subthemes
There a 4 sub-themes in the Architecture theme. They are as follows.
- Brickstructures
- Architect Series
- Landmark Series
- Skylines
Brickstructures
This subtheme contained only 2 sets that were released in 2008. They were the John Hancock Center (#19720) and the Sears Tower (#19710).
The actual John Hancock building was completed in Chicago in 1969. There were only 1250 sets produced. The Sears Tower was completed in Chicago in 1973 and also had only 1250 sets produced. It became the world’s tallest building.
| SET | PIECE COUNT | YEAR RELEASED |
|---|---|---|
| John Hancock Center (19720) | 69 | 2008 |
| Sears Tower (19710) | 68 | 2008 |
Architect Series
The Architect subtheme contained 8 sets from 2009 – 2013. See the table below for the 8 sets.
The Architect Series contains the set with the most pieces which is the Robie House set which contains 2,276 pieces.
The most owned set in this series according to Brickeconomy, is Fallingwater (21005).
| SET | PIECE COUNT | YEAR RELEASED |
|---|---|---|
| Fallingwater (21005) | 811 | 2009 |
| Solomon Guggenheim Museum (21004) | 208 | 2009 |
| Robie House (21010) | 2,276 | 2011 |
| Farnsworth House (21009) | 546 | 2011 |
| Rockefeller Center (21007) | 240 | 2011 |
| Villa Savoye (21014) | 660 | 2012 |
| Sydney Opera House (21012) | 270 | 2012 |
| Imperial House (21017) | 1,188 | 2013 |
Landmark Series
LEGO Architecture’s Landmark Series was introduced in 2008 to celebrate the world’s most famous structures and contains 31 sets. This is the second most popular Architecture subtheme after Skylines. The sub-theme contains models that depict famous structures in the world. The table below displays all the sets in the Landmark Series.
The most own set in the Landmark Series is the Statue of Liberty (21042).
Skylines
LEGO Skylines is a subset of LEGO Architecture that began in 2016 with the release of New York City (#21028), Berlin (#21027) and Venice (#21026). This subtheme contains 13 sets from 2016-2020 and is the most popular of all the LEGO Architecture subthemes . The theme is all about the skylines of cities around the world. The most owned set in this subtheme is London (21034).
An interesting fact about this theme is that the original Las Vegas (21038) set was never actually released. This set included the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The set was redesigned after the mass shooting that occurred in October of the previous year at Mandalay Bay. The new Las Vegas (21047) set included the Bellagio Hotel instead of the Mandalay Bay Hotel.
| SET | PIECE COUNT | YEAR RELEASED |
|---|---|---|
| New York City (21028) | 598 | 2016 |
| Berlin (21027) | 289 | 2016 |
| Venice (21026) | 212 | 2016 |
| London (21034) | 468 | 2017 |
| Chicago (21033) | 444 | 2017 |
| Sydney (21032) | 361 | 2017 |
| Shanghai (21039) | 597 | 2018 |
| Las Vegas (21047) | 501 | 2018 |
| Las Vegas (21038) | 487 | 2018 |
| Paris (21044) | 649 | 2019 |
| San Francisco (21043) | 565 | 2019 |
| Dubai (21052) | 740 | 2020 |
| Tokyo (21051) | 547 | 2020 |
| Singapore (21057) | 827 | 2022 |
How Many LEGO Architecture Sets Are There?
There are 57 LEGO Architecture sets in total across all 4 sub-themes.
Who Is LEGO Architecture Aimed At?
LEGO Architecture is aimed at adults and teens. One factor that led to this conclusion is the fact that no Minifigures are included with any of the LEGO Architecture sets. The sets are designed to be displayed rather than be played with which suggests a more mature audience. People may want these sets because they have traveled there or want to travel there so they are displayed to remind people of a goal achieved or a goal yet to achieve.
What Is The Biggest LEGO Architecture Set?
The biggest LEGO Architecture set is the Robie House (21010) which was released in September 2011 and retired in December 2013. The set had 2,276 pieces, which is a lot for an Architecture set, where the average number of pieces is 509. I calculated this number myself by adding all the pieces from the Architecture sets up until now and dividing them by the total number of sets. The data was collected from Brickeconomy.
The runner-up was the LEGO Architecture Taj Mahal (21056) which was released in 2021, with 2,022 pieces.
What Is The Smallest LEGO Architecture Set?
The smallest LEGO Architecture set is Landmark Series Seattle Space Needle (21003) with only 57 pieces. This set was released in February 2009 and retired in December 2015. The set was designed by the Architect that began the whole Architecture theme, Adam Reed Tucker.
What Is The Most Popular LEGO Architecture Set?
According to Brickeconomy, the most owned LEGO Architecture set is Skylines London (21034). The set was released in January 2017 with 468 pieces. The set was designed by LEGO designer Rok Zgalin Kobe.
Which LEGO Architectures Set Had The Longest Lifespan?
According to Brickeconomy, the LEGO Architecture Seattle Space Needle (21003) from the Landmark series had the longest lifespan of all the Architecture sets at 82 months. The set was released in February 2009 and was retired in December 2015, with a lifespan of 82 months whereas the average lifespan for an Architecture set is just 34 months.
What Is LEGO Architecture Studio?
The LEGO Architecture Studio (21050) was released in August 2013 and retired in December 2017. It contained 1211 pieces and had an age rating of 16+. This set was designed to release your inner Architect and design unique buildings along with a provided inspirational 272-page guidebook that was included in the set.
The set is still available on secondary marketplaces but is no longer at the retail price of $159.99. You can check the latest price on Amazon and eBay.
What Is The Best LEGO Architecture Set?
I personally like LEGO Architecture White House (21054). This set was enjoyable to build and is such an iconic building in American History, I love to display it in my house. I have even added a lighting kit to make it more prominent and I always get comments about it.
What Is The Most Expensive LEGO Architecture Set?
The most expensive Architecture set is the Architect Series Robie House (21020) with a retail price of $199.99. This set coincidentally is also the Architecture set that has the most pieces – 2,276.
What Is The Cheapest LEGO Architecture Set?
The cheapest LEGO Architecture set is actually tied 5 ways. The sets are displayed in the table below.
| SET | YEAR RELEASED | RETAIL PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| Sears Tower (21000) | 2008 | $19.99 |
| John Hancock Center (21001) | 2008 | $19.99 |
| Empire State Building (21002) | 2009 | $19.99 |
| Seattle Space Needle (21003) | 2009 | $19.99 |
| Willis Tower (21000) | 2011 | $19.99 |
As you can see, all of the above sets retailed for $19.99 making them the cheapest LEGO Architecture sets of all time. Most of these sets are still available to purchase, but they are no longer priced at $19.99. Most of the sets go for well over $100.
What Is The Tallest LEGO Architecture Set?
The tallest LEGO Architecture set is the Empire State Building (21046) which was released in August 2019 and retired in January 2022. The set measures 21″ (55cm) in height.
Final Thoughts
The LEGO Architecture theme is one of the most popular themes among LEGO fans. The sets are designed to be accurate replicas of real-world buildings and landmarks, and they are often very detailed and complex.
There is a wide variety of sets available in the theme, so there is something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a small set to display at your home or office or a large set to build with your family, there is a LEGO Architecture set that is perfect for you.