Hi! This is my first post as such, not really a proper review as I didn't take pictures of the pieces pre-construction. So this is just like, a mini-review. I'll do a proper one for Fallingwater next.
Theme: Architecture
Name: Farnsworth House
S/N: #21009
Year: 2011
Pieces: 546
Price: GBP 54.99
I got this one in London, at the official Lego store in Westfield. Last one left so of course I grabbed it and clutched it as i explored the rest of the store, for fear someone else would buy it!
Box
As I don't own any other Lego sets (yet!) I can't tell if the box is any different from other Lego sets. It's a simple pizza-box style opening though, with just a sticker on 3 sides, so easily opened and resealed if you so wish.
Instructions
The manual front looks exactly like the box, so I didn't bother taking a picture of it. It's staple-bound, nice and clear instructions with many, many small pieces (the tiles) but nothing tricky even for a n00b like me. It comes with a brief detail on the house and its architecture and the philosophy behind its construction. There's little notes even in the instruction pages explaining certain details. A lot of thought went into this booklet, I think. As a semi-architecture buff I'm more than pleased at it.
Farnsworth House
The house is very clean and simple but quite small, any minifig would look really out of place in it or near it. I like to think it's something to inspire teens who are just only developing an appreciation for architecture, and appreciate the way things are constructed at the very basic level. Or just big boys who like to pretend they were architects in another life!
Top view. You can see each of those tiles covers one stud, and there were like a hundred or so of those. It was nearly impossible to get them to line up perfectly with just a thumbnail. During construction it's not so bad as you kind of take a break in between stretches, so it's not monotonous at all. Although I nearly fainted when there was a stretch of 56 of them (in the pic up there). Watching LOTR helped!
Customised nameplate. I know it's the Lego font but it only looks good on a white background. White on black, like on the Empire State Building, looks very cheap for some reason.
The windows were of course jumbled up with other pieces in the bag and there were really obvious scratch marks on some of them.
The roof is easily removed so you can see inside to the living room. Complete with fireplace. Cocktails optional.
Tiny furniture for tiny, tiny Lego people.
So in all, it took me about 2h30mins because, of course, I'm a n00b, and because I was watching The Two Towers. But it was fun! And so, so pretty.
Playability: 0, of course. You just can't play with it. Either you'd use the parts for something else or like me, put it on a bookshelf for show
Design: 8/10. This is the set I really wanted of all the Architecture series and it didn't disappoint me, Mies van der Rohe would approve!
Price: All of the Architecture sets are horribly overpriced for the number of pieces, but I think Lego's trying to prove that it's not just the number of pieces but the overall sense of satisfaction you get when it's done. So, a 7/10 from me.
Overall: 8/10 if you're into this series. Otherwise, I'm guessing most people won't even bother. It's pretty premium in terms of box, booklet, etc but bricks are the same as any other set. As I said, good for encouraging people who appreciate design and architecture. But I'm guessing most architects nowadays got their start from Lego anyway so good job tapping that market.
I'm going to put Fallingwater next, that will be a proper review.
P/S Dear Lego if you make a LOTR series I will buy everything, EVERYTHING, I promise! Make it happen!
