Built for the Journey of the Fellowship collaborative at Brickworld 2011.
About this creation
Being invited to this project was quite and honor, but also a responsibility. After the MOColympics, I must admit to being a bit burned out. However, I had committed to be part of this collaborative at Brickworld 2010. What I didn't know then was that I would be starting grad school in January while working full time.
My co-collaborators began working furiously on their builds while I sat with the daunting task of building the upper half of Minas Tirith; that's right true believers, I was supposed to work with the illustrious Mark Kelso! I soon realized that this was far to daunting of a task for yours truly and asked Mr. Chris Phipson if I could switch with him and take on some elvish architecture (he graciously agreed).
So, the months went on and WIP pictures were shared over email. Meanwhile, I had little to no time to build. I'm fairly sure everyone thought I might flake. I planned to start on my Spring break in late March, but ended up having way too much fun doing other things. One weekend in late April, I finally sat down and started to plan. I found a few images and came up with a basic idea. This is one of the first builds I've even done any kind of sketch for.
The major theme was the balance of organic architecture with the natural surrounding world. The plan I drew up included the shape of the rock structure I would build atop and three buildings. Following the great Bryan Hanley's 6 step plan for castle building, I began by laying out some BURPs to get an idea for the shape. The 1x2 brick and cylinder technique was used for the curved wall that would face the 'front' edge. I had some great help and moral support from a friend in creating the 'rock vomit' on the edges. One day of building and the skeleton was complete!
The next step was to cover the irregular shape with plates on which to build. The entirety of the understructure is actually hollow, with no supports. A VERY sturdy plate top was constructed with the help of one of the students I tutor on Saturdays (thanks George). The next step was vegetation, because I really was afraid to start on the buildings. I used a three sided technique for the trees, it's not very stable, but creates a wonderful curved effect. The trees remained to the side waiting to be placed among the buildings.
The buildings began construction in mid-May. I looked at some of the reference photos for ideas, but they were generally of my own design. I tried to create a balance of structure and open space. The architecture was quite challenging, particularly the roofs. I tried to incorporate as many natural forms, curves and texture as possible.
Finishing up the school year used up quite a bit of time and I was building right up until the Sunday before Brickworld. I still had not shared ANY WIP photos with my co-collaborators, but had assured them it would be completed. The build never actually stood complete until it arrived at Brickworld.
None of the buildings were build directly on the base, each one had a specific location and a few jumper plates to connect to. Everything was carefully wrapped up and transported to Wheeling on Thursday. The base was a little bit perilous to move because of the lack of understructure, however it made the trip quite nicely. The buildings were place and the vegetation and water effect was added on site. The pictures you see are the only time the build was intact, so please excuse the background noise.
It was wonderful to see my small part of the collaboration among the amazing builds of my peers. I was honored to have Rivendell nominated in the Best Large Building category and to stand against a build as epic as Barad-dûr by Kevin Walter. I learned a great deal from this build and was very pleased with the result, I hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I enjoyed building it.
Front edge
Rivendell from above
Another top view
This view was the most similar to the reference photos I looked at
The view of the river as it flows among the buildings
Waterfall effect
Back edge with conifer
More of the back edge
Aragorn entering from the east structure
Legolas and Gimli along the cobblestone path
By now we've seen many photographs of the Journey of the Fellowship collaborative build, but here's my version. We as a community should celebrate what MOCpages was able to accomplish. It was an honor to build along side Tyler & Mike Halliwell, Leda Kat, Lee, Danette, Maddie & Dano Jones, Dennis, Mitzi and Kelsey Price, Chris Phipson, Shannon Ocean, Mark Kelso, Mr. Bones, Dave Sterling, Heath Flor, Anthony Dunne and Kevin Walter. Thank you to all of you for allowing me the privilege of being part of this group.
Bag End by Tyler Halliwell
At the Sign of the Prancing Pony by Leda Kat
The Black Riders by the collaborative
Rivendell
The Mines of Moria by Lee Jones
Isengard by Chris Phipson
Treebeard by Shannon Ocean
Edoras by Dennis Price
Helm's Deep by Tyler Halliwell
Minas Tirith by Mark Kelso, Chris Phipson etc.
The Orc Army by the Jones family etc.
Minas Morgul by Dave Sterling
The Black Gate by Heath Flor
Mt. Doom by Anthony Dunne
Barad-dûr by Kevin Walter
Oh, don't worry about Rivendell not winning, I was very pleased and honored to accept this award for my Lego Dissected Frog
Comments
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I like it |
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December 7, 2013 |
Awesome rivendell, the crooked tree is awesome. also really like Barad-dûr by Kevin Walter!
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November 11, 2013 |
Wow! I am very impressed. |
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June 15, 2013 |
So Amazing!!!! Your Rivendell is a real Masterpiece, and it is one of the most beautiful Lego creations I have seen. |
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Carlo Brunelli February 1, 2013 |
"One does not simply...make a Lego Rivendell"
-Boromir-
Great work very well |
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Mark E June 23, 2012 |
I love how the trees, plants, rocks, and the building blend together in such a seamless fashion. With Lego it is very very hard to get the organic lines, and flow that you can while drawing, but it looks like you did the absolute best that can be accomplished with the brick. Keep up the good work man. |
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jaw-dropping!!!!! just absolutley jaw-dropping! the detail on the structures is marveolous! how do you do it, Dave? |
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April 30, 2012 |
I just realized I didn't comment on this. Beautiful work as always! I see that you have the Helm's Deep picture of Aragorn and GImli that Bart had wanted to see and I told him didn't exist. You sneaky one! |
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April 2, 2012 |
If there was a rating higher than five, I would give it...this is truly spectacular work...by far my favorite set on this site so far...you have paid perfect attention to detail with this...I was watching the movie when I first looked at this and it is all spot on...sets like this are what make legos fun |
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White Knight January 24, 2012 |
Enormous !>....well done |
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January 24, 2012 |
Wow amazing!!! |
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January 24, 2012 |
WOW! This is Great!!!! Just when I think things cant get any better! Shocked Lego isn't knocking down your door for you to to work for them! |
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September 18, 2011 |
How did I forget to comment on this! I'm a huge Lord of the Rings fan, and these creations definitely do the stories justice! You (and the others) did a wonderful job! |
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September 16, 2011 |
Someone could do this differently, but no better. Congratulations for all parts not just Rivendell. |
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September 11, 2011 |
What a fantastic creation! |
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August 17, 2011 |
i love the way you made the arches and wow i love everything |
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July 11, 2011 |
It makes me want to live there! Amazing! |
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July 11, 2011 |
Truly remarkable!!! Impecable representation of Rivendell and other scenes from Middle-Earth!!! XD |
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July 11, 2011 |
Someone help I think I'm going to faint! I'll type quick before I do! Fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic
Fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic Fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic
Fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic fantastic! I love it! |
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July 9, 2011 |
Quite the collection of LotR creations. Really wish I could have made it out there of brickworld to see everything. Maybe next year! |
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July 6, 2011 |
Beautiful, If you like ents I have 4 different ones |
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July 5, 2011 |
We are not worthy! |
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I like it |
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July 2, 2011 |
you really maintained the poetic almost organic but dying beauty of Rivendale. very well done. And so fast! |
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I am humbled by the Lego Mastery of this creation, Incredible achievement, my hat is off to you all... |
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June 29, 2011 |
I wasnt fortunate enough to go but from what I have seen on here it looks like it was amazing. I wish you would have put more pics of Rivendell up because I am going to make one soon and I need all the inspiriation and ideas I can get. |
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June 29, 2011 |
I didn't understand all the text yet but I do for the MOC !!! AWESOME !!! |
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June 28, 2011 |
I really like the arches with the waterfall! Great job! |
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Tr3v0r W. June 27, 2011 |
I like the detailed work. |
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June 27, 2011 |
I think it's fair to say your Rivendell display was one of my favorites. Your recognition of the grace and beauty translated to bricks well. |
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June 27, 2011 |
First of all, detective, congratulations on winning with your dead frog, hehehe. Thank you for sharing the story behind your amazing Rivedell MOC. You managed to capture the vibrancy of the original movie architecture, which for sure wasn't an easy task. There's much to learn from you here. |
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June 27, 2011 |
very beautiful MOC, very faithfull to the movie! Impressive! |
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June 27, 2011 |
Beautiful work! I love the frog as well, that is ingenious |
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June 27, 2011 |
Beautiful work! The waterfalls are simply gorgeous! |
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June 27, 2011 |
Simply beautiful. I had no idea you built it in such a short time span :) |
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June 27, 2011 |
Incredible..congratulation for your award.. you deserve it |
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June 27, 2011 |
Man, this was one of the builds I was dying to see for months before the con. *sigh* I knew it was going to be a stunner, and you didn't disappoint. Beautiful architectural design, and the composition is perfection from every angle. Beautiful work, Dave! |
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June 27, 2011 |
Lovely build. Transmits a kind of tranquility that supposedly was the elves domain. |
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June 27, 2011 |
My favorite building at BrickWorld. It was elegant! |
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June 27, 2011 |
So incredibly beautiful |
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June 27, 2011 |
This build was so enchanting and beautiful, I didn't realise you cut it so close with the deadline! Nice effort man, you obviously work miracles under pressure. There was so many nice details in this build, it was delicate and subtle and very calming to look at. |
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Thoy Bradley June 26, 2011 |
In true Kaleta style man! This really impressed me when I saw all the BW'11 posts! Its like your MO Final all over again! Brilliant building as always Dave! ~Thoy |
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AA (Noname) June 26, 2011 |
As I said before, each and every creation in the project is (I mean, was) a masterpiece. Great job. |
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June 26, 2011 |
Rivendell - truly one of the most artistic builds in the collective. The pictures just don't do it justice, but you did a lovely job just the same. Nice to see you again man. Lee. |
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June 26, 2011 |
Magnificent! All of it! |
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June 26, 2011 |
Great stuff (again), but I think you need to increase the height of the mountains and put another Bat Cave under it. |
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June 26, 2011 |
beautiful! (not the frog) (but the frog IS cool!) |
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June 26, 2011 |
beautiful! (not the frog) (but the frog IS cool!) |
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June 26, 2011 |
Very elegant, just like the elves who live there. Very well done! |
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June 26, 2011 |
Dave, it was a pleasure to see your excellent Rivendell on BW (I was so curious about all the time during our mail-preperations) and even more excited to meet you finally! Thank you, I've learned a lot from your builds! - Kevin |
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June 26, 2011 |
Amazing work. I wish I could of seen it in person. |
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June 26, 2011 |
Wow, this is really really detailed. Obviously took you a long time. Anyway, not much else to say... there's too much to admire... awesome Rivendell! |
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June 26, 2011 |
Awesome! |
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June 26, 2011 |
Thank you for posting this! I've been waiting to see the ingenious architecture up-close ever since the first Brickworld post! |
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June 26, 2011 |
Beautiful! Very movie accurate also. |
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June 26, 2011 |
I absolutely love this! You really captured the feel of elvish architecture. Congrats on the trophy for the frog; a truly worthy creation!
BTW, great reference to Eggy's 6 steps; seeing as I need help with castle stuff, I'll have to give it a try! =P ~H |
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June 26, 2011 |
yep! Awesome! |
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I made it |
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June 26, 2011 |
Quoting Connor Simpson
Also, you mentioned something called "Brian Hanley's 6 steps to castle building," and I was wondering what exactly those are, as I am not very good at castles, yet want to improve. Brilliant work.
http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/69032 |
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June 26, 2011 |
Incredible job on this, it is a work of art. The waterfalls and many strings add a cloud-like lightness and grace to the whole structure that really captures Rivendell. Also, you mentioned something called "Brian Hanley's 6 steps to castle building," and I was wondering what exactly those are, as I am not very good at castles, yet want to improve. Brilliant work. |
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June 26, 2011 |
This was simply a beautifull piece of work man and for the record, it was US that were honored to have you as part of our collaborative. Thank you! ~ Chris. |
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June 26, 2011 |
Well done! I love the waterfalls. |
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June 26, 2011 |
I don't know anything about Lord of the Rings, but I know your model is perfect :) |
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