The Unofficial LEGO Builder's Guide

From the Ground Up: Creating a Minifig-Scale Building

For many years, houses, police stations, hospitals, and other buildings were often used as inspirations for sets put out by LEGO. These days, sets with a town theme aren’t as common as they once were, but that shouldn’t stop you from making your own.

One thing that always makes official LEGO sets so interesting is the way the designers add architectural details to models of buildings. In the case of buildings, this may take the form of some well-placed arches over windows, a simple chimney rising from the roof, or perhaps some smooth tiles made to appear like sidewalks.

These techniques enhance what might otherwise be boring buildings and turn them into the vibrant places where minifigs like ...