CNA Plaza, Chicago: A LEGO® creation by Rocco Buttliere : MOCpages.com

CNA Plaza, Chicago

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This model consists of about 3,000 pieces.

About this creation

This is my third custom design skyscraper model and my fourteenth overall. The CNA Plaza is comprised of two buildings that are joined at the second floor. The taller of the two, CNA Center, would be regarded as a normal office building were it not for its red color. The building's unusual red facade makes it stand out from its neighbors and has made the building one of the most eye-catching in the city. In fact, the red design was used to imitate the sun setting on the ocean, so that it would give people on Lake Michigan this illusion if they look westward around the time of sunset.

This is my sixth Chicago skyscraper model and my second in a series of Chicago landmarks that I am making to pay tribute to the work of my late grandfather, Anthony Buttliere. As a glass glazer, he had much of his business in Chicago at a time when many businesses were putting up highrises and skyscrapers in the downtown area. It was not unusual for my dad, Randy, to accompany my grandfather on-the-job to help him out. While my grandfather was doing work on CNA Center, my dad was told to look out every window, inspecting certain qualities of the work. This took him over two days to do. I decided to do this model, along with my Daley Center model, as the first two in a series of Chicago buildings that my grandfather has done glasswork for. This model took about four days to design, about 10 hours to build and an overall six months to complete. Model completed August 11, 2011.

More photos on Brickshelf

Construction photos here

LEGOŽ Digital Designer file here

Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of this model is the section of the Chicago "EL" that runs in front of it. I even included one of the standard six-car trains which are maintained and regulated by the CTA.

The backside of the model features access to the underground parking garage.

Garage bay doors for wide loads line the backside of CNA Center. The shorter gray building next to the main red one is CNA Center North. The backside of this building has an alleyway that occupies the space where the lower few floors would be.

Upon its completion in 1972, CNA Center North was a dark gray color as it is today. Later, however, it was painted red to match CNA Center. Shortly after, it was repainted to its original color.

A look at the rooftop details of CNA Center including a rooftop access room, A/C units, and a crane for holding window washing scaffolds.

Another look along the EL facing south.

Looking up! Both buildings in the model are segmented into several modules that are held together via techinc pins at theire interfaces. This method is similar to my Aon Center model.

The windows at the plaza level of CNA Center North. I used a considerable amount of SNOT techniques at the base of my model. Both buildings attach to an array of clever SNOT configurations which make up their bases. Instead of switching back to studs-up in such a small area at the base, I opted to using various half stud techniques to make the base of the buildings even with street level and then had the base simply sit on a bed of tiles.