DEARBORN, Mich. — “Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO bricks” at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is a first-of-a-kind wonderland of the world’s most largest and astonishing skyscrapers. For a limited time engagement, this exhibit features 20 towers from across the globe built at 1:200 scale.
Guests can build their own masterpieces with LEGO’s scattered at tables throughout the exhibit. There is also a video presentation of how these architectural marvels are made with great detail and accuracy. Ryan McNaught, “The Brick Man” as he is called, tells how he uses these intricate pieces of LEGO bricks to form curves and squares to create these magnificent buildings.
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the world’s tallest tower. It is 2,717 feet high and is 650 feet above any other structure. The model stands 163 inches high. Construction began in 2004 and was completed in 2009.
The Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles stands 1,100 feet high and has a glass facade, a sail-shaped roof and elegant spires. The model uses 18,900 LEGO bricks. That one was cool to see because the skyscraper just opened in 2017.
The Chrysler Building in New York City was completed in 1930 and stands 1,046 feet high. This is a classic example of Art Deco architecture. It was the world’s tallest skyscraper for only 11 months, overtaken by the Empire State Building in 1931. It is an ode to the auto industry of the 20th century. The model uses 19,250 LEGO bricks.
The Bank of America Plaza in Atlanta was completed in 1992. It is said to resemble a sharpened pencil. Crowned with a pyramid of 23-carat gold and the tower is made of rose granite. The model uses 37,957 LEGO bricks.
The Shanghai Tower in Shanghai, China stands 2,073 feet high and was completed in 2015. Deemed a “vertical city”, there are neighborhoods inside the building with gardens and outdoor living areas far above the bustle of Shanghai below. The model uses 104,800 LEGO bricks.
The Tokyo Skytree is Tokyo’s tallest building. It also beams TV and radio signals far and wide. The model is 125 inches high and took 191 hours to build with 19,200 LEGO bricks.
The Q1 from Gold Coast Australia is located in the heart of Surfers Paradise and is the tallest building in Australia. The model is 64 inches high and uses 11,900 LEGO bricks and took 82 hours to build.
The International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong looks like a dragon covered in scales of glass with its tail resting on the ground. It is refined and understated. The model is 95 inches high using 21,200 LEGO bricks.
The Petronas Twin Towers in Malaysia looks like a pair of rocket ships ready to blast into space. The model stands 89 inches high and took 360 hours to build using 82,200 LEGO bricks.
The Marina Bay Sands of Singapore resembles a six-legged creature. The curved buildings has a boat on top which is a swimming pool. “LEGO doesn’t like curves” says Ryan McNaught, LEGO Certified Professional. This model stands 39 inches high using 26,400 LEGO bricks.
The CN Tower of Toronto looks like a UFO. There is a Skypod Observation platform in the tower’s upper core. This model stands 109 inches high and uses 15,211 LEGO bricks.
The Willis Tower of Chicago was also known as the Sears Tower until 2009. This model is 104 inches high and took 64 hours to build.
The Empire State Building in New York City was built more than 85 years ago and the world’s most iconic skyscraper. This model stands 87 inches high and took 20,400 LEGO bricks to build.
The Taipei 101 in Taiwan looks like a stem of green bamboo, to others it looks like a stack of noodle boxes. This model stands 100 inches high using 18,600 LEGO bricks.
Those are some examples of what you will see. The “Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO bricks” exhibit runs now through January 5, 2020 so hurry and get your tickets to see this marvelous display before times runs out.
For tickets and more information, visit https://www.thehenryford.org/current-events/calendar/towers-of-tomorrow-with-lego-bricks/
Stay tuned for more great photos in a future gallery…