Villa Hillcrest

Perched on a Southern California hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Villa Hillcrest is inspired by the work of Richard Neutra and Joseph Eichler during the mid-century modern architecture movement unique to California, and its climate and lush landscapes. The design for Villa Hillcrest expresses key mid-century modernist modes of living, including the celebration of nature and sunlight with large windows and living spaces that blend interiors with the outdoors. Careful consideration was given to the siting and landscaping. Openness, casual informality, and quiet elegance were also hallmarks of this period. In Villa Hillcrest, interior furnishings, decorative elements, and color palettes were inspired by Charles and Ray Eames and other California modernists. With the postwar increase in automobile ownership, garages became prominent features. Building a mid-century modern home with LEGO elements draws parallels between LEGO and the early modernists’ interest in mass-produced homes and designing with modules. Minimal design, repetition, and clean geometry can find easy adaptation in LEGO building. Still, it was a challenge to create the desired proportions, massing, unique roof slopes, and other details of Villa Hillcrest. I created custom window sizes and frames using “sideways” and S.N.O.T. (Studs Not on Top) construction. Studless techniques allowed an overall clean, finished look. From the lighting in the pool and interiors to the working garage doors, all elements are genuine LEGO parts — even the beach ball in the pool. Though, the California wine being enjoyed by the homeowners is another matter.