Design Inspiration:

I was inspired to design a modular building with Italian architectural features for BDP series 3 after a recent visit to Italy. I've always been passionate about architecture and engineering, so I love designing models of buildings. The most challenging part of the design process was the development of building facades and deciding on the composition of the final model. For a long time, the model featured many smaller buildings on a 48x32 straight layout. In the end, I favoured the option of including fewer buildings on a 48x32 corner layout, which maximised the area of the facade and enabled more interior space for each individual building. The interesting geometry of the corner building and the exterior staircase that I stumbled upon was another factor that influenced the decision to adopt a 48x32 corner layout. I really enjoyed the challenge of replicating Italian architectural features in brick form and I hope you enjoy the final model as much as I did designing it.

Design Details:

Immerse yourself in the beautiful architecture of Italy with the Italian Street Corner. This magnificent modular building features easily removable floors so that the builder can easily discover the richly detailed interiors that lie behind the intricate facades. The building facades adopt a warm colour palette and are full of typical Italian architectural details such as ivy, exposed brickwork, windows with shutters, tiled roofs, ornate windows and street lamps, air con units, balconies and potted plants.

The ground floor of the model features a vibrant sidewalk with water features, a cypress tree and a myriad of plants and flowers. A small ice cream parlour (gelataria) is located on the corner, which offers a variety of delicious homemade gelato. The ground floor is also home to Nino's Italian restaurant, where fresh pasta and pizza can be enjoyed. The kitchen features a wine storage room and includes authentic brick-built details such as a pizza oven and a pasta roller. The restaurant also features detailed dining and reception areas, an outdoor dining table, and access to a rear alleyway.

An external stone staircase with a small palm tree growing from the stonework provides access to the first floor of the buildings from the sidewalk. The first floor of the model features a well-stocked rock and mineral shop with an ornate facade. Also on the first floor is the lower level of an apartment, which includes a kitchenette with a dining table and a living space. The living space is decorated with house plants and features details such as a couch, a coffee table and a TV.

The second floor of the model is home to the upper level of the apartment, which features a bedroom with a wardrobe, bedside tables, house plants, a bookcase and a double bed. There is also a detailed bathroom and access to a balcony and rooftop terrace which overlook the streetscape below. The rooftop terrace is a perfect place to relax and features a shaded seating area and brick-built foliage such as a lime tree and a pine tree.

The model offers an enjoyable and varied building experience to fans with its abundance of Italian architectural features and wealth of interior details. Eagle-eyed builders will be able to spot some of the interesting parts usage throughout the model, which further enhances the building experience. Fans of buildings are sure to appreciate the colourful and ornate architecture and the unique layout that this modular building display model could bring to their cities.

Design Specifications:

11 minifigures are included to populate model (3 tourists, a businessman, a pedestrian, a waitress and chef, a couple who own the apartment and the owners of the ice cream parlour and rock and mineral shop). The model is modular compatible, includes 4000 pieces and measures over 37cm wide, 25cm deep and 35cm high.