In 1996, Adam Reed Tucker graduated with with a degree in architecture from Kansas State University. For 10 years he worked with firms in Kansas City and Chicago until one fateful day in 2002 when he was inspired by a book called The World of LEGO Toys by Henry Wiencek. Tucker had also been thinking about the decreased tourism to famous skyscrapers like the Sears Tower since September 11th. He decided to marry the two ideas, and now, as one of 11 “LEGO Certified Professionals,” he uses the iconic plastic bricks to recreate models of modern-day architectural marvels.
As he told Smithsonian Magazine:
One day I had this idea of doing something a little different, being inspired by the events of 9/11 and realizing that a lot of people from the general public were intimidated by vertical architecture — skyscrapers. They weren’t really visiting the Empire State Building, the Sears Tower, because of what happened to the World Trade Center… I thought “Well, the brick as a medium could be kind of whimsical to offset the intimidating nature of architecture.” It’s something that’s not typically thought of outside of its usefulness as a toy.
Tucker has since started his own company, Brick Structures, and worked with LEGO to create the Lego Architecture line, which features products like the Empire State Building, the John Hancock Center and the Guggenheim Museum. When asked whether there were any “unLegoable” buildings, Tucker responds with a qualified “no.”
“It’s just a matter of scale.” Tucker told Smithsonian. “So, for instance, could you replicate Wrigley Field in the palm of your hand? Probably not. But, could you replicate Wrigley Field given a 5-foot by 5-foot base from which to work? Probably.”
Tucker’s work is currently featured at the LEGO Architecture: Towering Ambition exhibit at the National Building Museum in Washington DC through September 5, 2011. Check out some images below.
Courtesy of Adam Reed Tucker
Courtesy of Adam Reed Tucker
Courtesy of Adam Reed Tucker