If you're a LEGO fanatic like we are, you're going to love what the software engineers at Google and LEGO have developed: a 3D modeling tool that uses LEGO's iconic pieces as the building blocks.
The developers call it "the largest LEGO set the world has ever seen."
The free application, called Build, allows Chrome browser users to create virtual 3D structures using any shape and color in the LEGO catalog. Users can build LEGO structures on any plot in the world, using a PC or mobile device.
LEGO models can be saved and shared with other users. They can also view creations dreamt up by other builders.
The site includes the Build Academy, which puts users through a series of building challenges in different locations, with the goal of attaining LEGO Master Builder status. Along the way, players can unlock new LEGO bricks and colors.
OK, enough talk. Give it a try! http://www.buildwithchrome.com.
Related Stories
| Apr 5, 2011
Are architects falling behind on BIM?
A study by the National Building Specification arm of RIBA Enterprises showed that 43% of architects and others in the industry had still not heard of BIM, let alone started using it. It also found that of the 13% of respondents who were using BIM only a third thought they would be using it for most of their projects in a year’s time.
| Apr 5, 2011
Top 10 Buildings: Women in Architecture
Making selections of top buildings this week led to a surprising discovery about the representation of women in architecture, writes Tom Mallory, COO and co-founder, OpenBuildings.com. He discovered that finding female-created architecture, when excluding husband/wife teams, is extremely difficult and often the only work he came across was akin to interior design.
| Apr 5, 2011
What do Chengdu, Lagos, and Chicago have in common?
They’re all “world middleweight cities” that are likely to become regional megacities (10 million people) by 2025—along with Dongguan, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, and Wuhan (China); Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo); Jakarta (Indonesia); Lahore (Pakistan); and Chennai (India), according to a new report from McKinsey Global Institute: “Urban World: Mapping the economic power of cities”.
| Mar 30, 2011
China's low-carbon future city
In 2005, the Chinese government announced its target to reduce energy consumption per GDP unit by 20% by the year 2010. After a multi-billion investment, that target has been reached. The Chinese Climate Protection Program’s goal to increase energy efficiency, develop renewable energies, and promote energy savings while reducing pollutant emissions and strengthening environmental protection is reflected in the “Future City” by SBA Design.