21005 Fallingwater -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Set Details:
(Architecture) Released 2009
811 Pieces with 0 Minifigs
Retail Price: $99.99 USD
Price Per Piece: $0.12
Brickset Description: 21005-1: Fallingwater
Merging man and nature into an architectural masterpiece!
Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1934, Fallingwater® is perhaps the most famous residential home in the world. Open to the public since 1963, this masterpiece exemplifies Frank Lloyd Wright's organic architectural style by intimately merging man with the surrounding landscape. This highly-detailed LEGO® model, co-developed and designed by architect Adam Reed Tucker, captures all of the distinctive features that make Fallingwater an architectural landmark. The assembled Fallingwater model stands 10" (256 mm) wide on a gray base with printed name label and includes a booklet with facts about the building, its construction and its history. A striking and imaginative display for your desk, bookshelf or mantelpiece! Replica of real-world architectural landmark Fallingwater! Booklet included with details on design and history! (English language only) Measures 10" (256 mm) wide
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Background
So I have been really interested in these Architecture sets for a long time, recently finding that you can purchase them at Barnes and Nobles. Thanks to the TnB sales/dales forums: viewforum.php?f=6, I was able to nab this set for 50% off! On top of that, my store had the set marked at $89.99. This set, and the White house were the 2 in the theme that I was REALLY interested, so I was extremely happy to be able to nab this great deal.
Great looking box, as most of them in this series. No alt builds on the back, only information about Fallingwater. The sides also give schematics. The boxes are so nice, I'm not breaking them down like I do with all my other sets.
Minifigs
No minifigs! Of course not, It's an Architecture set! It would make no sense as the Minifigs would be Godzilla... then again, there is the Gorilla Suit in CMF3 that could terrorize the place.
Instruction How awesome is this Instruction Manual? It has a spiral binding! Professional.
Nice bit of artwork on the inside cover, with a table of contents =) The following few pages follow the style of the theme by giving historical info about the building, as well as fun facts. I love how these manuals outline in red, the pieces that you are adding. Nice touch.
Parts/Stickers There are no stickers in this set (or theme)! YES! There are not any unique parts in this set other than the pre-printed nameplate. There are tons of small beige pieces, as well as a TON of 2x1 clear bricks... awesome for MOCs. There is a nice part list at the back of the manual.
I love this theme...
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Construction You start off by building an outline of the base, along with the foot of the river.
After completing the base, you start working on the waterfall area, very cool. On the bottom right, you get a built in mount for the pre-printed Nameplate. Different than the others, nice.
You start working on the groundwork for the building and hills. This is where the building will meet the river.
Now you can really start to see the outline of how the river will be, and the outline of the land around it.
Now that we've started to put some green for the hills in there, as well as some brown stumps... probably gonna be some tree's headin on these hills.
As I expected, now we add block-ish trees, and a small bridge over the river.
Base of the building, and looks to be the "pier" of the set.
The building is not very exciting to build. It's lots of 2x1 and 3x1 bricks over and over, with 2x1 clear bricks stacked over and over to give the long glass look. Nice effect.
This is where the building will fit.
This is after you get it in there. Now I had a tough time at first getting it to fit in the area, cuz it does fit VERY snug. If you "force it", you've prolly put some pieces in the wrong places, as it does fit, its just a bit of twisting and turning to get it in there.
Beginning to build the middle part of the building, this part has already been MUCH more fun than the other part of the building.
You build layer by layer, each piece fitting nice and snug into the completed layer below it.
Finally getting to the top, you finish the real part of the building. Now you need to add it to the base. I found it easier to take off this final top piece and put it on after you've placed the rest of it on the base.
Here's what she looks like after you put the middle part in... and then.
And we are done! Now for some close-ups!
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Summary
Building: 4 / 5
Appearance: 5 / 5
Pieces: 4 / 5
Value: 4 / 5
Playability: 2 / 5
Overall: 3.8 / 5
Building:
Building this set is actually pretty fun. It start off with you not knowing how it's going to shape up, an interesting river/waterfall. The building start off very boring, and then picks up to be a ton of fun. It almost felt like putting a model together.
Appearance:
The appearance of the set is just phenomenal. The building is unique, and very neat looking, with a great landscape surrounding both the river and building. This one is going to be displayed in the office, for sure.
Pieces:
While the fact that there is only 1 'unique' piece in the set, the fact that there are so many other great pieces make up for it. The sheer number of clear 2x1 pieces that can be found plus the other colors makes this a great set for pieces.
Value:
This set is great looking, and would be worth buying even if it's PPP was even higher. If you were able to purchase for $89.99 like my B&N had it, the PPP drops to $0.11. If you were able to snag it on 50% off, then it's so ridiculously worth it, you HAVE to buy it. Even if you only get your 10% Membership discount (or even without it), the set is a must buy.
Playability:
I gave this set a higher playability value, simply because i think you could use the set for off-road type stuff for small things. (Think racers theme). Or even of course, as a nice setting within your Lego City.
Overall:
I really like this set. It's fun to build, great to display, and has great value for those who like to build MOCs. I would almost buy a second one just to use for that purpose if I get a chance at another 50% discount... If you are only going to choose 1 or 2 of these sets, this should definitely be within your top 2.
