BDP9: Building The Sunset Hotel
Posted by Huw,
BrickLink Designer Program series 9 enters the crowd support phase on Monday next week so, ahead of that, Brickset member Stefan, aka DistractedBuilder, has contributed this article about his submission, The Sunset Hotel:
For my new entry for Series 9 of the Bricklink Designer Program, I wanted to try something that blends the vibes of Miami, the retro flair of the 1980s and the classic LEGO theme Paradisa. The result is The Sunset Hotel.
It was a joy to design and I'm excited to share how this model came together!
The Inspiration
The model is inspired by the hotels located on perhaps the most famous street in Miami Beach: Ocean Drive. These iconic buildings are designed in the Art Deco style, an architectural style characterised by symmetry, horizontal lines and streamlined/curved corners. Later on, these buildings were painted in typical pastel colours and decorated with striking neon lighting on their facades.
Source: Open Business at Night Free Stock Photo
A holiday in Florida previously inspired me to build the Snack Shack from BDP Series 1, and now it has inspired the creation of The Sunset Hotel. The Sunset Hotel can be seen as a sequel to the Snack Shack, as the two characters from the Snack Shack return in new roles within this new build. The owner is taking a break from frying snacks and enjoying his holiday. The girl who visited the Snack Shack is now working at the Sunset Hotel.
Another source of inspiration is one of my favourite figures from Series 17 of the Collectable Minifigures line: the Yuppie. An Ocean Drive hotel would be the perfect setting for this figure, so I decided to give the model an '80s vibe. I automatically associate the style of the 1980s with Miami, making it a fitting theme. Additionally, I'm a big fan of '80s music, which served as a great musical source of inspiration while building the model.
The Build
The Ocean Drive hotels are known for their striking facades featuring geometric shapes and bright colours. This was also the starting point for my build. The facade sign is one of the most complex parts of the model: it is built with studs facing in all directions and incorporates several advanced building techniques. The rest of the hotel was built around it.
Without giving away too much about the building experience and techniques, I would like to highlight one unusual method I used to include the transparent pink bricks. These pieces are not secured on studs but are instead slid into the model from above, similar to how pieces are placed in the game Connect 4. Despite not being connected to other bricks, the pieces remain locked in place.
This part of the build was reviewed and tested by the BDP team during the first edition of BDP Office Hours, an online session where participants can receive feedback on a (part of a) model they are working on.
Ultimately, the hotel consists of a lobby with a street-facing terrace, two rooms, and a rooftop pool with a bar. I went through several versions before arriving at this final result.
Left to right: the final version and two earlier versions of the model
The building is detailed on all sides and opens at the back in a doll house style for easy access to the interior. The model (consisting of slightly over 2500 pieces) measures 32 studs wide and 30 studs deep, including the pink canopies. This size makes it easy to place on a baseplate and integrate into a LEGO city.
Bringing the Model to Life
For me, minifigures and detailed mini-builds really bring a model to life, so I aimed to include as many fitting characters and interesting sub-models as possible. The model contains a total of eight minifigures, each with their own unique personality. Additionally, I included a convertible muscle car that seats three minifigures.
Please let me know if you have any feedback and feel free to ask questions about the model in the comments. If you like this build and would like to see it become a real set, please consider voting for it at BrickLink. Voting commences on Monday 6th October and is open until October 17th.
We'll post a link to Stefan's model on Monday -- Huw
74 likes
25 comments on this article
GTA VC vibes.
I like the art deco colours and architectural style. I hope it makes it through the voting process.
Is that weird al?
That would go well with the 10260 Downtown Diner
Nice model! Hope it will be funded
Being from South Florida. This model is spot on! Kudos to the designer.
I’m Don Johnson and I approved this build.
I took one look at the picture and said to myself "1980s Miami"
Well done.
Soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUvvGf8T7wM
I visited the Beacon Hotel in 2018, which is a great memory. The Beacon is in the stock photo in the article, and this build absolutely nails it! Great work Stefan!
Very nice, will definitely vote!
The slide-lock of those 1x2 transparent bricks is very clever - a great way to get a clean tinted rectangle of pink with no studs showing through from inside the empty lugs. Nice move, and a lovely model. Well done.
Paradisa Hotel
Is that Sonny Crockett?
Pity they didn’t include a Ferrari Daytona Spyder.
Although the current car is pretty cool.
Miami Vice aesthetics in the best way possible. It only needs a minifig in a white suit, and it's pretty much perfect.
@kyrodes said:
"Paradisa Hotel"
Would have been great with the new Paradisa figs from the vending machine.
I like it!
Reminds me of LEGO City Undercover - Paradise Sands.. might just have to revisit the game!
@dimc said:
" @kyrodes said:
"Paradisa Hotel"
Would have been great with the new Paradisa figs from the vending machine. "
This was my initial idea too, but the BDP rules don't allow LEGO trademarks (like Paradisa or faction names like Wolfpack/Black Falcons) in the name of BDP models. That why I went with Sunset :)
@gunther_schnitzel Or a Ferrari Testarossa ;)
The car was initially black and a reference to the black convertible from 6416 Poolside Paradise. Due to part availability I had to change the color. But I like how it turned out in blue.
@DistractedBuilder said:
" @dimc said:
" @kyrodes said:
"Paradisa Hotel"
Would have been great with the new Paradisa figs from the vending machine. "
This was my initial idea too, but the BDP rules don't allow LEGO trademarks (like Paradisa or faction names like Wolfpack/Black Falcons) in the name of BDP models. That why I went with Sunset :)"
Paradise Hotel has a nice, familiar ring to it... :P
Now that’s nice! No silly brown or grey things is sooo refreshing
@DistractedBuilder said:
" @dimc said:
" @kyrodes said:
"Paradisa Hotel"
Would have been great with the new Paradisa figs from the vending machine. "
This was my initial idea too, but the BDP rules don't allow LEGO trademarks (like Paradisa or faction names like Wolfpack/Black Falcons) in the name of BDP models. That why I went with Sunset :)"
I wonder if you'll be able to use the Paradisa minifigs anyway, if selected.
Rubber ducky? Check.
My vote, check.
Love it.
Perhaps the car could get a bit of an Ocean Drive upgrade.
@iwybs said:
" @DistractedBuilder said:
" @dimc said:
" @kyrodes said:
"Paradisa Hotel"
Would have been great with the new Paradisa figs from the vending machine. "
This was my initial idea too, but the BDP rules don't allow LEGO trademarks (like Paradisa or faction names like Wolfpack/Black Falcons) in the name of BDP models. That why I went with Sunset :)"
I wonder if you'll be able to use the Paradisa minifigs anyway, if selected. "
I would be shocked if they didn’t, seeing as there are Griffin entries to series 9.
Great Paradisa vibes here, and it’s certainly a nice model! @DistractedBuilder Big fan of the Snack Shack, and your Fire Lookout Tower! This is another great submission!