If you’re tired of jigsaw puzzles, have outgrown LEGO and have an affinity for architecture, Australia’s Little Building Co may be the ultimate adult craft project for you. A series of impressive, but not too difficult, small wooden model kits based on some of the most architecturally significant buildings in the world.
Little Building Co. Architectural Model Kits
Based in Australia, Little Building Co, is the brainchild of Marcus Bree. After studying engineering then three dimensional design at college, Marcus began an international career finally settling in Queensland, where he now runs his own design company. Creating little houses seemed like a natural extension to his love of making things, mixing textures and materials and thus, Little Building Co was born.
It’s clear that Little Building Co did extensive research on the buildings featured in their kits. The completed models capture the lines and details of each building, doing justice to the architects’ true vision, only in miniature. Conscious of the environment, materials are sustainably sourced where possible and the production process produces little to no waste.
Recommended for age 15 and up, each can be built in a couple of hours. Not only are these a great way to get lost in a project, but upon completion, you’re left with a beautiful miniature model to display.
Acrylic protective display cases, as shown below, are optional for an extra cost.
For those who admire the models, but don’t have the time or inclination to put them together, they do offer a built-to-order Display Collection for purchase, complete with protective acrylic case and display base.
“Architecture is my weakness, books and photographs are great for reference but there is nothing like actually seeing the details in a building and appreciating the space it creates.” – Marcus Bree
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York
Creating a new precedent for architecture with its spiraling organic form, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, NY is one of the world’s most recognizable buildings. Designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright and completed in 1959, the construction of the Guggenheim Museum tested the capabilities of building technology at the time.
Model Scale 1:500 – Approx 150mm x 110mm x 90mm
Buy it: here or here
The National Opera House, Sydney
In 1956 the State of New South Wales ran an international competition for a National Opera House at Bennelong Point, Sydney. This attracted more than 220 entries from 32 countries. Jørn Utzon a young Danish architect won the competition and was hailed by the architectural critic Sigfried Giedion as opening a new chapter in contemporary architecture.
Completed in 1973 the Opera House is an architectural masterpiece and was included in the National Heritage List in 2005.
Model Scale 1:750 – Approx 295mm x 205mm x 100mm. Weight 1.5kg.
Buy it: here or here
The Farnsworth House, Plano, Illinois
Designed and constructed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe between 1945 and 1951 the Farnsworth House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 and designated a National Historic landmark in 2006. The house is currently owned and operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
This model kit is constructed from Aspen, American Cherry, MDF and acrylic. The kit includes the Black Maple tree which originally grew by the house, this has unfortunately since died.
Model Scale 1:150 – Approx W250mm x D150mm x H100mm
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Unity Temple – Oak Park, Illinois
Unity Temple is one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s earliest works, constructed between 1905 and 1908. Built in Oak Park, Illinois, the experimental design for Unity Temple used poured-in-place reinforced concrete, a material associated at the time with utilitarian buildings.
Because of its intrinsic characteristics of strength and plasticity (the ability to be shaped), concrete enabled Wright to design a building comprised of bold structural forms with integrated ornamentation. Wright also selected a concrete that exposed the aggregate materials from which it was comprised, underscoring concrete itself as a material derived from nature.
For more than 100 years, the building has continued to be the home of the Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation. In 1971, Unity Temple was designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark. It is one of eight 20th century buildings included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Model Scale 1:250 – Approx 250mm x 150mm x 70mm (9.8in x 2.5in x 5.9in)
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SC Johnson HQ – Administration Building and Research Tower
A masterpiece of planning, engineering and material use by Frank Lloyd Wright. Probably one of his most striking structures paying homage to the temples and shrines he experienced while spending time in Japan.
The low horizontal lines of the building are typical of the Streamlined Moderne style popular at the time. Wright wrote “High time to give our hungry American public something truly ‘streamlined…” Wright integrated into the structure systems to manage natural and artificial light without the use of traditional windows. Visitors entered the building via the carport which celebrated the automobile and took the visitor into the heart of the building. Originally built in two stages our model combines the Administration Building and later Research Tower creating a model of the complete complex.
Model Scale 1:500 – Approx 300mm x 210mm x 90mm. (11.75in x 8.25in x 3.5in)
American Cherry, Aspen, Birch, MDF and acrylic. 167. Pieces, Weight 1.7kg.
Buy it: here or here
Tate Modern – London
The Tate Modern is a complex building originally designed by Giles Gilbert Scott in 1945-7. Once the City of London Electric Lighting Co., it served as power station producing electricity from oil for almost thirty years after which is stood dormant for almost twenty years.
In the early 1990s the Tate purchased the site and embarked on a monumental project to convert the power station into a gallery. They ran an architectural competition won by the architects Herzog & de Meuron, and the transformation began. The new Tate Modern opened its doors to the public in 2000. An extension was later added to the existing building, again by Herzog & de Meuron.
Model Scale 1:1200 – Approx 250mm x 150mm x 100mm
Buy it: here or here
The brand also offers both an Australian Series and well as the Architectural series we are featuring. Each model comes beautifully boxed with clear easy-to-follow instructions. It’s an ideal gift for any architecture enthusiast.
FREE SHIPPING IN AUSTRALIA – World Wide $40 Flat rate per item. Scandinavia $55 Flat rate per item.
Little Building Co.
Shop Little Building Co Models at Amazon here
In the US, Model Landmarks and Amazon are the company’s exclusive distributors.