Lego-Like Recycling Containers from Flussocreativo.

Named LECO, these plastic recycling containers (patent pending) are designed to emulate giant Lego Bricks. Designed by the Italian industrial interior and graphic design company Flussocreativo, the project is described as follows:

Leco is an ecological station facility, young and colorful with a strong reference playful etched in collective memory.



Containers designed for separate collection, composed of five elements in polymer of which two are for aluminium and glass, respectively blue and green, and two, of larger size, for paper (white) and plastic (yellow).



The originality of the form of Leco deviates from the classic collection container for trying to involve the user through two major aspects: the liking for aesthetics and modular functionality.

Leco is clearly a reference to the “Lego”, a world game that, since you’re a child, increases the ability to manage and combine small items, stimulating creativity.



Hence the desire to create, even if for a delicate issue such as environmental conservation, the opportunity to interact with the containers in a nice way, overcoming aesthetic and formal obstacles.



The result of that vision has led us to create a collector who had the power to attract people, not only for its use, but also for its ability of solving space problems and induce to the practice of daily separate collection.

Specifically, each container has an external shell with both extremities channel into assembly, that recall, in a very intuitive way, the handiness of interlocking between elements typical of the game “Lego”; while in the front, there is folding door designed to accommodate the bag.

Leco is a new, exciting and colorful solution to try to improve the aptitude to recycle in a spontaneous way, by giving a daily aid to the environment.



via Designboom

A Place Lego Lovers Will Worship. Abondantus Gigantus, A Lego-Like Church Pavilion.

In 2011, Michiel de Wit and Filip Jonker of LOOS.FM designed a temporary pavilion in the public space for the Grenswerk Festival in Enschede, Netherlands. The pavilion was to be a versatile meeting point and a place for stage performances, exhibitions and the catering industry.



They searched for a recognizable building; the oddness of proportions only works if the image is recognized. The choice therefore fell on a church with a spire 20 meters tall.



The pavilion (Abondantus Gigantus) is made up of so-called Legioblocks: concrete blocks that are very similar to the famous Lego brand bricks. The blocks start out grey and nondescript, with an industrial beauty.


above: in this former F16 hangar on Twente airport, a total of 618 blocks were painted.



Above all, the blocks are reminiscent of the toy-sized Legos while being the size of pyramid stones. Although these blocks are multifunctional, hardly anyone makes use of their full potential. They are mainly used in dumping grounds surrounding harbors, as a wall for iron scrap or for sheltering potatoes. Once a wall of Legioblocks has been placed, it usually remains there for years, even though they are easy and flexible to build with. The Legioblocks are easily stacked and versatile in their use.






The concrete blocks are painted in 5 primary Lego colors and used indiscriminately to build the spire and walls. The blocks creates an oddness in proportions. The reference to Lego bricks often call up feelings of remembrance, sentiment and creativity. The size of the church on the other hand, inspires the spectator with awe.




The blocks are stacked in a so-called honeycomb brickwork. Because the blocks are not stacked firmly together, a (uniform) perforation in the volume occurs. This adds an extra dimension - day and sunlight entering during the day and at night emits an enchanting radiance; it´s a fascinating effect between volume and airiness.



Because of this, the appearance of the object is continually changing. The reflection and absorption of daylight, sunlight and artificial lighting on the primary colored blocks provides another dimension to experiencing the spaciousness.

The building process:





During the design process the definitive programming was decided. At this time, the final model of the pavilion was made. Three locations were created for a variety of activities. An inside and outside stage, a platform, and a room in the spire.





A variety of activities were possible because of the open source programming in the Abondantus Gigantus. From a special sports day and a Lego building contest to opera and a church service. Anyone could make use of the church.



With the choice in materials they aim to show that with these blocks it is easy to build and vary designs. The material can be fully reused and the building is completely demountable. For each of the next editions of the festival (for a period of 5 years), the same blocks may be used to build a new pavilion. This makes the building less location-dependent.





The pavilion makes a connection between something grand and overwhelming (the church and its size) and something playful, simple and comprehensible (Lego). Due to the Legioblocks´s increasing global popularity, this building may serve as an example for all that may be possible.

Here's a ten minute video of the building process and opening ceremony:


all images courtesy of LOOS.FM

LEGO Minifigs Stow Away on NASA's Juno Spacecraft Mission To Jupiter.

Okay, so they weren't really stowaways, but certainly not your expected passengers. The special cargo - three 1.5" tall aluminum LEGO® Minifigs- left earth on NASA's Juno deep-space probe on August 5th for a five-year mission to Jupiter as part of NASA and LEGO's Bricks In Space program, a joint partnership to inspire children and broaden awareness of the importance of planetary research.




above: the Lego Minifigures affixed to the Juno probe before take-off.


In Greek and Roman mythology, Jupiter drew a veil of clouds around himself to hide his mischief. From Mount Olympus, Juno was able to peer through the clouds and reveal Jupiter's true nature. Juno holds a magnifying glass to signify her search for the truth, while her husband holds a lightning bolt:



The third LEGO crew member is Galileo Galilei, who made several important discoveries about Jupiter, including the four largest satellites of Jupiter (named the Galilean moons in his honor). Of course, the miniature Galileo has his telescope with him on the journey:



The LEGO Minifigures will help get attention for Juno’s mission to improve understanding of our solar system’s beginnings by revealing the origin and evolution of Jupiter.


above: click to enlarge and get a better look at the Juno Spacecraft

The inclusion of the three mini-statues, or figurines, is part of a joint outreach and educational program developed as part of the partnership between NASA and the LEGO Group to inspire children to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics.



Video of the August 5th launch (on which the minifigs were affixed to the space probe):


The spacecraft is expected to arrive at Jupiter in 2016. The mission will investigate the gas giant's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere. Juno's color camera will provide close-up images of Jupiter, including the first detailed glimpse of the planet's poles.

More information about Juno is available at: http://www.nasa.gov/juno and http://missionjuno.swri.edu. You can follow the mission on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nasajuno.

images courtesy of LegoSpace, NASA and Wired

Icon Bricks Are Sterling Silver And Gemstone Lego Like Jewelry & Cuff Links.

above: Icon Brick necklaces are an elegant version of the classic Lego toys

A lot of crafty people (and I mean skilled craftsmen not deceitful or underhanded people) have created jewelry inspired by or made from Lego® blocks. But many of them are either plastic or metal, giving them a novelty and juvenile look and feel.


above: sterling silver Icon cufflinks are the grown-up and upscale version of Legos for men.

The sterling silver Icon collection by jewelry designer Max Steiner is one of the more elegant and tasteful versions of the jewelry homage to the childhood favorite. Available with real gemstones, the sterling silver pieces are fine jewelry with a fun flair.



Available as thick or thin Icon Brick pendants /necklaces, cufflinks and earrings, the Legos aka blox aka bricks are cast in sterling silver and faithful to the classic toy's design in front and back:




The pieces are available in plain sterling silver or inset with emeralds, rubies or black diamonds:




In addition to the actual pieces, the packaging for the necklaces and earrings is a custom hand-crafted and laser engraved Mahogany box:





Shop for them here