Architecture is one of the original LEGO themes for adults, with smart black boxes and models that deliver world-famous buildings. Countries like Spain, France, the UK, Germany and the USA are represented on a lost of sets that includes La Sagrada Família, Notre-Dame de Paris, Tower Bridge, Neuschwanstein Castle and Robie House.
LEGO Architecture sets began as small models documenting the world’s most recognisable landmarks and picturesque architecture. But much like architectural engineering itself, the designs kept pushing the boundaries, leading to some truly monumental recreations of world renowned buildings. These have been inspired by different styles from across the world, from the iconic skyscrapers of New York City to the cultural blend of traditional and modern styles found in Tokyo.
Whether you love admiring beautiful architecture or enjoy remembering special vacations seeing amazing landmarks, here are the biggest LEGO Architecture sets ever released… including the biggest LEGO set ever released. (And yes, it’s strange that 10276 Colosseum belongs to a different theme.)
5. 21010 Robie House
Designed to fit within the vast prairie plains, the design of Robie House emphasises horizontal shapes and deliberately has the appearance of two rectangles sliding past one another. Inside is an open-plan space that extends from a central hearth in the main living room. It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Frederick C. Robie in 1910 and is now a museum on on the University of Chicago campus. The 2,276 piece set 21010 Robie House is the oldest model on this list, released in 2011, when Architecture opted for a different, minimalist approach to the subject matter. The use of multiple 1×1 dark red plates to suggest the brickwork is very effective.
4. 21063 Neuschwanstein Castle
Commissioned by King Ludwig II in 1868, Neuschwanstein Castle functioned as a retreat in the Alps for the royal family, a place for them to escape the constraints of court in the capital. It takes inspiration from classical fairytales and operas, with a grand two-storey throne room featuring a giant chandelier, a dedicated minstrels’ hall and an ornamental grotto that had a waterfall built into the rocks. As well as being inspired by fairy tales, its shining white walls and dark blue turrets later served as inspiration for the castle in Disney’s Cinderella. 21063 Neuschwanstein Castle uses 3,455 pieces to capture the elegant castle façade rising above the cliffs, with the pine and autumnal trees adding some colour to the otherwise monochromatic set.
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3. 21067 Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in London, so is certainly worthy of a 3,745 piece set. 21067 Tower Bridge features part of the road spanning across the River Thames and a function to raise the bascules to let ships pass underneath. The model features the famous blue walkways that connect the towers that support the bridge, which are emblazoned with shields bearing the coat of arms for the City of London. An iconic red London double-decker bus and black cab are driving on the road, the tiny vehicles giving a grand sense of scale to the model.
2. 21061 Notre-Dame de Paris
Lying on the banks of the river Seine, Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. Construction took over 200 years to complete due to the artisans required to carve the many statues and gargoyles lining the parapets, as well as the huge stained glass windows, one of which still has the original glass from the 13th century. It was tragically engulfed by fire in 2019, though has subsequently been painstakingly restored to its former splendour. 21061 Notre-Dame de Paris captures the elegant Parisian architecture using 4,383 pieces, with special printed disc elements for the iconic rose windows. The set ingeniously uses stacked Technic cogs to capture the building’s iconic spire.
1. 21065 Sagrada Família
After more than 144 years of construction, La Sagrada Família was finally completed in February. Designed by the renowned Antoni Gaudí, the numerous towers take inspiration from natural geometric shapes, including hexagons and rhomboids. These towers were designed to evoke the feeling of a forest, like trees rising towards the sky. As it is a church, the main pinnacles are decorated with intricate religious imagery.
21065 La Sagrada Família uses 12,060 elements to convey that level of intricacy, which makes it not just the largest Architecture set, but the also the biggest LEGO set of all time. Rows and rows of plates and grille tiles are stacked to create the different towers, unicorn horns top the tiniest spires, greebling on either side creates the shape of the entrances and a plethora of printed tiles suggest even more detail. Considering how Gaudí handmade plaster models to test his designs, even the legendary architect might have been impressed by this set.
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