From the builders that brought you award-winning Amon Hen...
"Dear MOCpages,
Due to both of our unique interests in Lord of the Rings and our supreme passion for the LEGO brick, we decided to combine them into a creation for Brickfair 2012. This was our second time collaborating on a creation (our first collaborative being Amon Hen), and this was definitely the largest, hardest, and most fun project that either of us have worked on. Because of our unique building styles, we complemented each other well and used the best of both our talents to great effect. We chose Rivendell because of its beautiful landscape, its iconic nature, and the fact that it will be in the upcoming Hobbit movie trilogy. It is our hope that you will enjoy the natural beauty and our creative gifts as expressed in this artistic representation of Rivendell, from the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien.
-Consisting of 15 32x32 baseplates in a 3x5 layout
-Dimensions of 40" x 30"
-Approximately 120 pounds in total
-80+ hours of build time by both builders(not to mention work at Brickfair and the 20+ hours put in by me for photography and editing)
-More than 50,000 pieces involving 1 Bricklink order, 1 LEGO payment, 2 PaB boxes of 1x1 and 1x2 trans clear plates, 2 combined collections, and various other sources were needed in the creation of Rivendell.
Build Notes
For me [Blake] its impossible to really sum up this experience with words. I absolutely loved working with my good friend Jack, so this experience gave us a lot of time together. It is a kind of bitter sweet experience of sorts. This is without a doub the hardest, best, and comparatively most rewarding creation I have ever worked on. Seeing it come to completion brings many differing emotions to mind. For example, the rockwork was THE hard part about this creation, and the part that took my undivided attention. Jack focused more on the elven buildings raising the ground, but the rocks and water are my handiwork (or fault). Putting the last few rocks in place was a very satisfying time.
I will hopefully write more a bit later. Be sure to check back often for updates in the description.
Video
I took a video just to show the layout and connect some dots regarding the positions of details. I found it to be quite helpful.
Rivendell
The Fellowship
Detail
Here are some detail shots that didn't merit their own large picture. I realized that I took up to 280 pictures (which was then narrowed down to 140) so having that many large pictures really clogs things up.
The Modularity
Because this was built for Brickfair, this needed to be able to be transported down to Virginia. Our solution to that problem (and the same solution as in Amon Hen) is that the creation breaks apart in 8 separate modules which are then able to be boxed up and stacked for easy transportation. The modules presented a large difficulty for us this year, because the mountains needed huge boxes. Fortunately, we managed to scrape up enough boxes to get it down and back safely. The modularithy also presented a challenge because we needed to blend the seams while also making them able to come apart. This is our result.
In Progress
Some brief shots documenting the progress of the creation as we went along. You'll notice how we started by laying out the water. This was necessary because it was the lowest elevation of the landscape and we needed to build from the bottom up (like you guys probably do). After the water, we worked on the rocks, leveled things off, began the mountains along with the houses and finished off with the tiles on the water and the trees/foliage.
At Brickfair
These pictures will give you some perspective on our task of setting things up. We had a huge barricade in the middle of the walking area because of all our boxes.
We had the opportunity of being interviewed by a reporter from GBTV. It was a fun little interview for the kids program (I believe). That is me on the left and Jack on the right.
A picture of me with Rivendell. I really wish we could've gotten a picture with Jack and I together with the MOC, but he left early Sunday, so we never got the opportunity.
Tribute
Not too long ago, the LEGO community lost one of its finest FFOLs, Heather Braaten. As a subtle tribute to the fallen heroine, I included her signature minifig in this creation.
A cookie to whoever can find her!
Credits
This creation would not be possible without the help or inspiration of the following:
Jack Bittner, for building this with me. Thanks for being the fun-loving, encouraging, fist-pumping champ that you are! Awesome work mate. This one was well deserving of all the high fives. Dave Kaleta, for his amazing rendition of Rivendell which inspired us to no end. Sean and Steph Mayo, for your encouragement, your sacrifice, and your shipments of LEGO. Stuartt Clark, for helping us set up at Brickfair.
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your time. I hope that you enjoyed viewing my latest creation. Please leave a comment letting us know what you thought of Rivendell. Commments/suggestions/constructive criticism is always welcome.
this is...beyond! a documentary about teamwork, and talented designers artists, no less, I ll have to come back, as, I m going for work, just fantastic!
This is sooooo awesome! I LOVE IT! Everything, and I mean everything, is perfect. Absolutely perfect. I cannot describe what I feel looking at this right now! Easily the best LEGO Rivendell I have ever seen, it may very well be the best creation I have ever seen. EVER! Amazing detailing, and the Council of Elrond in the section in Rivendell is superb, adding a nice touch . The waterfalls are amazing, and adding the balconies with Sam, Frodo and Gandalf, Elrond was great. I really enjoyed seeing the trees and rocks, which were amazing, along with everything else! Great, great job. The bridges and curved, elven designed buidings and halls were so cool! Sorry that this comment was so long. Theres was so much to say about this AMAZING creation! I have an LOTR group that you can join, if you have time or want to. Once again, amazing job!
If there were a word for this, I don't think it would be good enough! This has to be one of the most amazing creations I have ever viewed! I can barely put YOU into words! Stunning creation, and you are stunning, too!
Blake, you're a LEGO genius. Whatever you build is great but this is absolutely 100% sensational. How in the world do you do it? I can hardly wait for your next piece of art cause this is what your creations are. BEAUTIFUL!!!
And slowly, the great Rivendell climbs towards the top of Mr. Baer's Most Popular... there's nothing to say here that hasn't already been said (not meaning I won't say it again)... AMAZING job. Congrats to you and Mr. Bittner both on another mouth-agape-in-awe creation.
Wow...I'm truly at a lost of words...it's so accurate, and incredibly beautiful...I could never hope to build anything like this...wow.
This Moc is completely EPIC!!
-MD
Wow Amazing Please Post Instructions!
(Yeah, just kidding.)
I think my favorite part of all of this are all of the many beautiful trees and how each one is different from the last. Amazing job Blake and Jack!
You know i could use a crash course on how to build cliffs and mountains like that with all the slope pieces. I've tried but it never turns out right. Again AMAZING!
Wow! Simply wow. Stunningly beautiful. I'm very jealous that two guys both a year younger than myself are able to create something so amazingly spectacular. It's full of tiny little details that when put together create a scene of beauty and brilliance. The whole thing is spectacular and I wish I could have seen it in person. Truly amazing and inspiring work.
--Blast--
This is the most incredible set I have ever seen. Fantastic work guys. I cannot describe the amount of awe I have!
I especially love your attention to detail, and the way the whole scene is layered and full of detail.
Awesome! Same here! Sadly our satellite internet won't support GBtv. We got rid of our satellite Tv right after Glenn quit Fox. We still listen to his radio program when we get the chance.
--John
Words cannot describe this incredible creation! Fantastic work to both you and Jack! Someday you need to come to Brickworld so I can shake your hand! Not sure if you knew this, but you have been blogged by Gizmodo(an awesome tech/nerd blog) here's the link: ( http://gizmodo.com/5937678/this-awesome-50000+piece-lego-rivendell-was-made-by-a-kid )
Woah! I knew I was in for a treat when you said you spent twenty hours on the pictures. The layout looks very enjoyable to explore. An accurate and excellently done creation!
It's brilliant! The trees, the water, the rocks, the buildings ... I have to change my under wear ...
Interesting insights in the Rivendell underground.
I never studied so many pictures as long and closely as I did on this Moc. You guys rock!
Thanks one and all for your comments and support. This is doing wildly better than we could've hoped for. Thanks a ton!
Quoting Lego Builders
How long have you had this idea?
Not too long actually. It has been long in the process. We first finalized the idea and began work I think close to 2 months ago.
Quoting Night Hawk _
Tell me how do you get so many pieces?
The pieces are accumulated through long years of LEGO purchases and gifts from friends and family.
Quoting Adam L.
On another note, do you and Jack share a collection? Or did you build individual pieces by yourselves, then put them all together after? If neither of these, how do you know whose pieces are whose?
Jack and I have separate collections which we partially combine to build. He doesn't have his collection sorted, so I have a pretty good gauge for how many of my pieces went into this project. We'll just have to duke it out when the time comes, because we have absolutely no clue otherwise. :)
Quoting John Daniels
P.S. Do you watch GBtv?
No, I don't, but I am a large fan of Glenn Beck.
Quoting Ru Corder
Any idea on what scene from LOTR you want to build next?
Good question, Ru. At this point, I am still "hungover" from this project, so I doubt I will be attempting anything too soon.
Quoting hypernova888 .
(though, why the custom aragorn? if you have merry, than wouldn't you have attack on weathertop? and therefore aragorn?)
Another good question. I personally don't like the Aragorn minifigure. (I actually don't have the Attack on Weathertop either; I managed to snag Merry at Brickfair for a good price.)
It's a thing of beauty! I do not even know where to start. You guys have managed to bring it up to another level (i.e., that's many levels way above awesome!)
I've come back to look at this several times now, and every time I am blown away anew. Well done Blake & Jack, this is one of my all-time favourite builds. I can't wait to see what LOTR diorama you two build for next year. hint hint :)
I can only imagine how hard it must be to build a MOC together with somebody else and make it look homogeneous, especially when it is one large MOC and not a collection of MOCs put side by side. You both managed this task perfectly. I will not elaborate on the countless details, but be sure you blew me away (several times). Congratulations to both of you.
So... much... MOCage... so... few... pixels... dtunvdsdnmkjhg.8 . That is what happens when my mind is blown. I'm sorry that I could only view a few of the details (on a 3ds browser) but from what I saw thats 5/5 and a favourite builder too. Lets keep pushing the likes and get this to No.1 on MOCpages!
amazing build. you two continue to impress me with you lotr builds.
the detail on this MOC is stunning. the way you captured the essence of rivendell is truly exceptional.
you have even outdone amon hen in my opinion!
(though, why the custom aragorn? if you have merry, than wouldn't you have attack on weathertop? and therefor aragorn?)
all in all, this is one of (and maybe the) best lotr MOC I have ever seen.
I hope you continue with your amazing brick-building skills.
you two are amazing
I just saw the video and right about now I'm freaking out, got chicken skin and all. I think this might be the single best MOC I've seen so far. Don't know Jack, but my best regards to him, too. Your existence is a bless to the comunity. May you build forever, fellow builder
Blake,
I've been pretty inactive lately, due to JV soccer and practice, piano, my new puppy, homework, and the like. I've been building a little, but haven't taken the time or effort to post the creations. This creation has just brought me out of that dark age. A stunning masterpiece, with all angles from the book and movie covered. The rock work is stunning, and your water falls, as usual, are unbeatable. My favorite part of the build is how you fit the buildings in so well, so that they don't seem like the elves built them there, but rather they were there in the landscape. Thank you for your incredible builds!!!
Sincerely, RORY
Sorry it took two days to comment on this but I've been looking for the bottom half of my jaw that had fallen off (turned out it rolled behind the fridge). After a quick reattachment with some duct tape and silly string I got back as quick as I could to comment. And can I just say that this... is breath taking. Thank you. ~ Chris.
Blake - simply awesome - I congratulate you and Jack. A beautiful creation. Inspirational. bless you - your creativity is truly a gift. Can't wait to see what else it releases !
I like it
Chris Melby
August 24, 2012
Awesome display of studs on top building, basic techniques and a lot of bricks. It reminds me of a Lego idea book on steroids! Z
Fantastic work! The landscape, buildings, and the other parts of the diorama are breathtaking, and this is one of my very favorite LotR models; the attention to detail is superb. Thanks for giving the glory to Him!
Well done Blake, very well done. The achievement in terms of depth and scale are both impressive. I do have a couple minor critiques - 1st, I think it would have been better to use white under the trans blue of the pools, and create more fading between the falls and still water. I'm suggesting this would have helped the effect of movement and keep the water color more consistent. 2nd, from my point of view their is just too much in the build. It's loaded with plants, colors, animals, etc. In the end, I feel like it really loses some of the elven simplicity so appealing about Rivendell. However, please keep in mind that I find your build enjoyable to view and quite impressive. Bravo to the both of you!
This is simply just FANTASTIC i specialy like the waterfall's, amazing job, i could say nice things about this moc all day, but, i gotta build some stuff to.
Great job, keep it up
Blake, this is so what of awesome! I can't find words for the beauty of this insane detailed and lovely created Moc! You (both) have outdone yourself again! - K.
Still struggling to believe I'm really looking at this. -slaps self in the face- Yep, I'm really awake! Jaw droppingly gorgeous Blake (and Jack)! Oh, and it's always nice to see the actual guys behind the bricks. Thanks for sharing this with us! I absolutely love the picture of Boromir riding in front of the waterfall. I'd also venture to say that your Lego waterfalls are the best I've ever seen. The sense of motion is mind blowing. Since you said you're open to it, the only little "constructive criticism" I'd put forth is: use all the official LOTR figs, as opposed to just some and not others (namely Aragorn). Other than that small matter of preference, stellar work fellows! Extremely well done!
I'm nearly speechless...nearly. This may just be the most beautiful build I have ever seen. I have been gawking at it for the last fifteen minutes trying to take it all in. Ok. Where do I start? (Big inhale). The landscaping is the best I have ever seen. The waterfalls are layered so perfectly to achieve the effect you were looking for. I love how you included many of the well-known scenes in there. I'm assuming that's Boromir arriving. Sam and Frodo discussing whether it's time to go back to the Shire. Mary and Pip undoubtedly up to some shenanigans. The architecture is not only well done, but actually looks elven. You were able to take LEGO and make the same impact as Peter Jackson himself, and that is saying something. The trees are well formed. It is impressive that you were able to take such a massive work and make it modular like that. And even there are two different styles at work here, they meshed together seamlessly. Blake and Jack, this is a masterpiece and I would like to put it on My Current Favorites on my page, with you permission, of course. Great job and can't wait to see what's next.
Blake this is nothing short of stunning! The degree of complexity in the landscaping - with it's curves and angles, multiple levels, and intricate color arrangements - is mind-boggling. It's a shame Lego doesn't currently make golden and orange tree foliage colors, that would've been nice. (Although Sterlings recently mentioned a custom supplier that has fall colors.) Amazing details throughout the build as well. This is one we'll all remember for a long time, guys. Congrats on a BEAUTIFUL creation!!!
Blake, I am stunned! This is by far your best creation yet! The amount of detail you put into these mocs are just incredible! I also love how you used a upside down basketball hoop for the top of one of the buildings. Very ingenious! The mountains are truly magestic and add the finishing touch to this Moc. I am definitely looking forward to upcoming creations, and I am glad I actually know what you look like! :D -Matthew-
Spectacular in every aspect. Just to note your foliage work is brilliant; those little fir trees are my favourites. The disk tiled roof is a nice technique. Thanks also for the WIP pictures - always nice to see the foundations holding these epic builds up.
Wow Blake. What an build. And so many diffrent techniques packed within this stunning masterpiece. I could write a book on how awesome this build looks to me. Well done you to. Lovely work. !!! :D
Wow! The trees, the water, the rock work, the buildings and the scale. The whole thing is amazing! I hope that I will someday have enough LEGO pieces to build something like this.
--John
P.S. Do you watch GBtv?
Blake. I think I just cr@pped my pants. This is probably the single greatest Lego creation I have ever seen in my entire life. One of the best to ever exist. Easily the greatest LOTR build that has ever been made. You sir are just incredible. God bless you
Great job guys. It's almost hard to take it all in with just photos, but thanks for sharing so much. I especially liked the process pics at the end. Hope you can save that one for a long time.
This sounds a little cheesy, but....I'm not sure what to say. It's.....awesome?.....superb?.....Beautiful?.....Ravishingly beautiful?.....incredible?.....cool?.....sweet?.....fantastic?.....etc.?.....
I usually can go on and on and never stop. But in this case I think a few words will be more powerful. Especially since Rivendell is one POWERFUL MOC! The time, effort, energy and money it took is more than awesome! The design ability and the thinking outside a box of LEGOs is spectacular! Your genius is incredible (the basket from a basketball set as a copula is a good example of that! I had two problems with this model: 1.) I wanted more pictures, and was saddened at the end, 2.) I wish I could have seen it in person! Keep on building!
WOW!!! This is truly amazing! There is so much detail that it really does bring out the beauty of nature. I love the animals packed in this diorama. One of the best mocs I have ever seen! You guys are really talented.
Really well done Blake, and jack I don't think that any LotR moc could ever outdo this! I am truly humbled by this particular build. Great job you guys =)
Blake, Jack, you've outdone yourselves. This is truly spectacular, a diorama deserving of the title "epic". The landscaping is top-notch, including nearly every type of terrain and all done to perfection. The architecture really stands out for me though, as it has that distinct Rivendell vibe. I like how you guys included all sorts of details like Bilbo and the circle of chairs. Another thing I noticed was the abundance of spiral stairs, I salute you for tackling such a tricky endeavour while working at a much larger project. Well done indeed, this MOC won't soon be forgotten.
Wow. The waterfalls are the best I've ever seen, and the rocks are marvelous too (the different colored veins are a great detail). The architecture looks great and is very accurate to the style of the movie. Everything fits together seamlessly. Overall, this is an astonishing build.
This is awesome.
On another note, do you and Jack share a collection? Or did you build individual pieces by yourselves, then put them all together after? If neither of these, how do you know whose pieces are whose?
Wow... amazing! Beautiful work! The trees and the plants are amazing! The waterfall and the rivers are incredible! The animals like the Deer,swan,and other animals fit the MOC perfectly! Your rock work and the water is amazing also the structures are great! Keep up the awesome work!
Amazing work on this, you really did this iconic location justice. It was great seeing it in person as well as meeting you. I'm really looking forward to whatever you decide to build for Brickfair 2013, which I am determined to go to. Excellent parts usage for all of the elven buildings, great rockwork, awesome water technique and texturing, and nice placement of minifigures. Keep up the awesome work!
When I saw the unofficial pics on Flickr, I knew this was going to be epic. This is triple the quality of Amon Hen, and by far your most stunning piece yet. Big congrats on the Liberty Treehouse interview! That's huge! I'll see if I can find that episode on Glenn Beck. Well done. (It's also good to know what you look like finally.)
Wow. It looks like paradise. A masterpiece and a very picturesque build! I love all the little details as well as techniques (clever idea with the basketball hoop). The waterfalls are gorgeous! I think I could spend hours looking and looking. Thanks for the behind the scene photos. How long have you had this idea? It must have taken hours just to plan it all out! Well done both of you!
-LB Senior
Magnificent! This is an amazing build. I really cannot imagine how much work went into this beautiful moc! You have created everything in the most amazing detail. The landscaping and buildings are so realistic. You have used such a huge amount of detail in such a massive moc! Its not just big. Its as beautifully creative as any small scale moc. Your piece usage is simply inspiring! I am thoroughly impressed. I would say this is one of the greatest LotR mocs on this site!
Fantastic! I really wish I could have gone to see it in person. It would take countless hours to go over and find all the neat little details you two incorporated into this masterpiece! Both of your building styles truly compliment each other. I can't wait to see what piece you two will take on next!
I really like your buildingstyle and i really like lotr (of course) so this MOC is just perfect.
It would be nice to see the MOC live and meet you, but i think this day will not come, because Conventions in USA are a bit far away for a german TFOL.
So please allways make such nice fotos so i can enjoy them. :) 'pard
Blake, Jack, this is jaw-dropping! I can't imagine how much blood, sweat and tears you guys poured into this incredible build. I'm still speechless. It's extremely rare to see a build with such high quality. There wasn't one spot in the build what didn't match. Truly breathtaking. God Bless you guys:) ~Justin
