LEGO MOC Modular Designing & Building 101 Part 2

After designing/building the modular ground floor, it’s now time to move to the middle floor. Due to the differences in terminologies (i.e. first floor / second floor) depending on your location, I’ve decided to use “middle floor” on any floor between the ground floor and the top floor. Let’s begin!

Middle Floor

First, prepare the floor plates considering the foot print of the ground floor as well as the opening for the stairs, in case the stairs are inside the building. Use large pieces of plates as much as possible to reduce the required support connections under the floor plate. For the opening for the stairs, it is recommended to have an average of 4x6 studs of opening. In smaller building, 4x4 is also acceptable.

Reinforce the perimeter of the floor plate with 1 or 2-wide plates as you see fit. In cases of overhanging floors, balconies, etc. it may also be advisable to use 4-wide plate to continue the support from the perimeter wall of the ground floor up to the edge of the overhanging middle floor plate. For large unsupported areas, you may also place 2x2 plates or 2x2 boat studs (item no. 2654)

MOC Crown Jewel floor plate

In the same manner as the ground floor, place bricks and panels around the perimeter, mainly the back and side walls. The middle floor is usually 6-7 bricks high. Using the pattern height of 10-7-7 or 11-6- as mentioned in part 1, the overall height of the building would be on par with other modular buildings.

In case the stairs are inside the building you may optimize space by placing the stairs leading to the top floor next to a wall. Also position the doors where they would be of least obstruction to the layout of the furniture, preferably in a corner with the door opening outward. Where possible, also place some windows on the side or back wall. This will add more details to an otherwise plain wall.

Crown Jewel – alternate design of the modular police station

At this stage, you may opt to choose a different color palette that would contrast or complement the ground floor. Most commercial modular buildings tend to have the ground floor as a different color compared to the upper floors for additional aesthetics and diverse color palettes. For residential buildings, the ground floor and middle floor tend to have the same color palette.

Tailor’s Corner with a white ground floor and dark tan middle floor

Seamstress’ Shop with the ground floor and middle floor having the same color palette

After the placement of walls, stairs, doors and side/back windows, you may start with the interior design. Depending on the function of a room, you may place carpets, printed tiles on the walls (i.e., paintings), tables, chairs, lamps and any other furniture that serves the purpose of the room. You may also place dividing walls or cabinets to split a big room into sections. Make use of modified bricks with studs on the side to place cabinets on the wall and reduce those blank spaces.

As shown below, a big open space (MOC High Street Boutique) is split into 2 areas with a bar and a men’s wear. The stairs are on the corner to avoid becoming an obstruction to the whole layout.

High Street Boutique

The façade of the middle floor can be similar to the ground floor or it can be different but complementary. You can use windows, arches, greebles, etc. to create a good façade as well apply the different techniques shown in part 1 of the blog (https://bellevebricks.com/blog/modular-designing-building-101/). You can go for a symmetrical façade like the Town Square Pub or an asymmetrical façade like Jim’s Bowling Alley & Diner

Note: Greeble means a small piece of detailing added to break up the surface of an object and add visual interest

Town Square Pub – alt design of Assembly Square

Jim’ Bowling Alley & Diner – modification of the Down Town Diner

You can check the number of details such as greebles used to ensure that it is not overdone and it is aligned with the style you are going for. If needed, you may also check the ground floor and adjust the façade of either the ground or middle floor to ensure a cohesive look for the building.

MOC HP Modular Moments

After completing the façade and interior, you can tile the top brick walls and add a few jumper plates or modified plates to connect to the top floor.

I hope that these tips help you with your own modular building. I will continue with the top floor and roof of the building on my next post. In the meantime, you may check out my MOCs at https://bellevebricks.com/vendors/lego-artisan-mocs/.

If you have queries about the post or about my MOCs, feel free to send me a message through bellevebricks.com or https://www.instagram.com/lego_artisan/