The housing market is faltering, and producers face tough market conditions, but here's a possible solution
It's great to see us Brits helping to solve two major crises. Not only are we giving the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) market a huge boost during the worst recession since the Great Depression, but we're also helping to revive the ailing construction sector.
Last month, some 2,500 volunteers convened at Denbies Vineyard, in the southern English town of Dorking (in the county of Surrey), to help build a fully functioning house made entirely from Denmark's most-loved export. I'm talking about LEGO bricks, of course.
The unique property, which will boast all modern conviencess, such as a staircase, toilet and shower, is being constructed for BBC television series James May's Toy Stories, due to be aired later this year.
Presenter May is building the two-story property with more than 3m of the colorful little LEGO bricks made from ABS.
Although the fast-track construction project did fall a little behind schedule, the upper floor was taking shape by the end of August - and only a few weeks after laying the first brick, completion was imminent. May has the dubious honor of being the first to live in the house.
He has already built the world's first Plasticine garden, winning the People's Choice Award at London's Chelsea Flower Show, as well as constructing the world's largest model plane - a full-size Spitfire - as part of his television series.
He is also planning to create a Scalextric version of the Brooklands racetrack in Weybridge with more than 20,000 pieces of Scalextric track.
Just like the foundations for the new Denbies house, LEGO Group's latest financial results are also looking pretty strong.
Despite a general decline in the global toy market, the company enjoyed a 23% rise in sales during the first half of the year, compared with the same period in 2008. Profit before tax for the first six months was Danish kroner (Dkr) 927m($179m, €125m), compared with Dkr564m in the same period last year.
During this time, it also decided to invest in the expansion of its production capacity, and will be installing new injection molding machines in Denmark, Hungary and Mexico. There were also plans to build a new warehouse at its site in Kladno, Czech Republic.
Who knows? Perhaps this LEGO house concept will catch on. It's no doubt quite a quick and cost-effective method of construction, extending the house is simple, and you can change your decoration and color scheme with ease.
Reading updates on the vineyard's blog, however, the structure is not yet entirely watertight, and comfort is maybe not quite at the top of the priority list.
(picture credit: The LEGO Group)
It's great to see us Brits helping to solve two major crises. Not only are we giving the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) market a huge boost during the worst recession since the Great Depression, but we're also helping to revive the ailing construction sector.
Last month, some 2,500 volunteers convened at Denbies Vineyard, in the southern English town of Dorking (in the county of Surrey), to help build a fully functioning house made entirely from Denmark's most-loved export. I'm talking about LEGO bricks, of course.
The unique property, which will boast all modern conviencess, such as a staircase, toilet and shower, is being constructed for BBC television series James May's Toy Stories, due to be aired later this year.
Presenter May is building the two-story property with more than 3m of the colorful little LEGO bricks made from ABS.
Although the fast-track construction project did fall a little behind schedule, the upper floor was taking shape by the end of August - and only a few weeks after laying the first brick, completion was imminent. May has the dubious honor of being the first to live in the house.
He has already built the world's first Plasticine garden, winning the People's Choice Award at London's Chelsea Flower Show, as well as constructing the world's largest model plane - a full-size Spitfire - as part of his television series.
He is also planning to create a Scalextric version of the Brooklands racetrack in Weybridge with more than 20,000 pieces of Scalextric track.
Just like the foundations for the new Denbies house, LEGO Group's latest financial results are also looking pretty strong.
Despite a general decline in the global toy market, the company enjoyed a 23% rise in sales during the first half of the year, compared with the same period in 2008. Profit before tax for the first six months was Danish kroner (Dkr) 927m($179m, €125m), compared with Dkr564m in the same period last year.
During this time, it also decided to invest in the expansion of its production capacity, and will be installing new injection molding machines in Denmark, Hungary and Mexico. There were also plans to build a new warehouse at its site in Kladno, Czech Republic.
Who knows? Perhaps this LEGO house concept will catch on. It's no doubt quite a quick and cost-effective method of construction, extending the house is simple, and you can change your decoration and color scheme with ease.
Reading updates on the vineyard's blog, however, the structure is not yet entirely watertight, and comfort is maybe not quite at the top of the priority list.
(picture credit: The LEGO Group)
