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This is my first post here. I would like to announce a standard I’ve been
working on.
All Kinds of Structures (A.K.o.S.)
The purpose of this standard is to define a modular block-based building method
for building towns. Modules can be squares or rectangles, their dimensions are
multiples of 16, for example 16×16, 16×32, 32×32, etc. These modules should be
used to build larger modules with dimensions that are multiplies of 32 to ensure
compatibility with 32×32 baseplates. Adjacent buildings will share walls, so
the standard is best used to quickly build inner city streets. (Though it
allows the modular construction of larger buildings as well). Other than the
module-size restrictions, this standard is not very strict. The following
images should only be taken as demonstrational examples, you can build your
modules any way you want just make sure they can connect with similar modules.
One module does not necessarily equal one building, for example a 16×32 module
may hold a 12 and a 30 stud long building. Similarly, a 16×64 building may be
using two 16×32 modules. 16×16 modules are best used as corner hoses. Four
corner house modules can be used in a 32×32 block or two of them can close the
ends of a 16×32 module.
The lowest part of a module may be a baseplate. It is useful if the structure
can stand without the baseplate so the baseplate can be removed if need be, for
example the structure is standing on pillars because there is a subway station
under it.
Part of the standard is a modular frame, which makes building more effective.
The frame is built using ordinary pieces, it can be quickly disassembled for
storage or transportation, and most importantly it reduces the BOM for your
buildings. As a side-effect, your building will be easier to work on or be
modified.
Because modules are placed next to each other, most of the firewalls do not have
to be built. The frame reduces the buider’s job to build only the facade walls
and the roof. If part of a firewall is visible, the that part of frame can
easily be covered so the building will appear to be completely built.
Using the frame allows you to build the facade independently from the rest of
the building. The facade can easily be removed from the building, when - for
example - you want to modify or repair it, or when you want to store or move
your building.
The frame is covered by the facade, so its color does not have to match the rest
of the building.
The frame even makes the modules modular, so you can always change the layout of
your modules. Of course one would need several modules to be able to vary them.
If more people create such modules, whole city blocks can be assembled for shows
in very little time. If your display is against a wall, it is sufficient to
only build the front, the back may be left unbuilt. (Much like movie backdrops
are built.) If your next dislay is on a table, closed block can be build from
the modules, so all four sides would look neat.
The facade is 2 studs deep, this allows for more detail. (For example, recessed
windows.) Of course, parts of the building can stick out from the plane of the
facade, as long as they fit in the overall layout. (Flags, the edge of the
roof, etc.)
Using the frame allows you to build in multiple themes, as long as you don’t
need buildings in both themes at the same time. You can have one frame onto
which you snap a Castle facade for one show or a Town facade for another show.
If you don’t already have certain bricks a specific color, you can substitute
them with another one. When you get the right bricks, you don’t have to tar
down the whole 3D building, just snap off the facade, fix it, and snap it back
on.
The modular frame can be utilized by clubs also. If your club stocks up on the
standard frames, the members would only have to build the facades/roofs and
bring them to the meeting or show.
The modular frame uses the following primitives:
- 2-pin connector block
- narrow panel (height can be different)
- wide panel (height can be different)
The narrow panel is used on the 16 stud sides, so a 16×16 corner building
requires two of them.
The wide panel is used for 32 stud sides, so a 16×32 building requires two
narrow panels and one wide panel.
Adjacent modules are connected using a 4-pin connector block.
Facades can be connect to the side panels using Technic pins. The facade’s
height is up to the builder, but obviously it should be as tall as the panels
(or taller).
The facade for a 32 stud side is 2 studs deep and 32 studs wide.
A 16 stud corner building has two facades, these are also 2 stud deep, but the
width of both can not be 16 since they would overlap. A 14 and a 16 wide facade
is a simple solution, other methods can also be used. (For instance, a curved
wall is perfectily OK.)
These blank white walls are only used for demonstration, a “real” building would
look a bit different: 
The top of the facade can be covered with tiles, so it would be easy to add or
remove the roof.
Here is the CAD documentátion:
http://www.maj.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=91680
And here is a small MOC that was build to demonstrate the A.K.o.S. standard:
Images: http://www.maj.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=91492
Instructions: http://www.maj.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=91686
MOC-specific facade and roof elements:
They can be used on a corner frame:
Or on a regular frame:
Please let me know if you built an A.K.o.S. based MOC!
Akos Kostyan
LEGO Ambassador
akos@malug.hu
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Message has 6 Replies:
 | | Re: All Kinds of Structures (A.K.o.S.)
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| (...) OK, forgive me for being dense but how does the lovely framework for building interiors achieve a "modular block-based building method for building towns"? A modular system (like moonbase or CCC) defines how external connections are made and (...) (19 years ago, 15-Jun-05, to lugnet.build, FTX)
| | | Re: All Kinds of Structures (A.K.o.S.)
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| I really like this, I can see it being used a lot to create backings/facards (sp) for train shows etc. It is perfect for filling in "missing details" after a layout is finished, and as it is easy modify as not to repeditive. I can see a lot of train (...) (19 years ago, 16-Jun-05, to lugnet.build, FTX)
| | | Re: All Kinds of Structures (A.K.o.S.)
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| <SNIP> Hi Akos, I really like this concept (although I have my suspicions that you just wanted to make an acronym out of your name ;-) ). I may borrow you idea for the structure for use in my home layout. Great idea! Tim (19 years ago, 16-Jun-05, to lugnet.build)
| | | Re: All Kinds of Structures (A.K.o.S.)
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| Very interesting! I can see how this would help with emergency cover for show layouts... Personally I would still be concentrating on 'whole' MOCs but if you needed a quick background this would be great. Thanks and God Bless, Nathan (19 years ago, 18-Jun-05, to lugnet.build, FTX)
| | | Re: All Kinds of Structures (A.K.o.S.)
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| I've build two more A.K.o.S. buildings this weekend just to see if this concept would actually work in reality. I think they don't look that bad. (URL) Akos Kostyan LEGO Ambassador akos@malug.hu (19 years ago, 19-Jun-05, to lugnet.build, FTX)
| | | Re: All Kinds of Structures (A.K.o.S.)
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| Hi, I tried to build one of these and had some difficulties. Maybe you can clarify them for me. It seems that the idea is not to leave 2 studs on every side, but only on the sides that are going to have facades. If I understand the AKOS system, the (...) (19 years ago, 19-Jun-05, to lugnet.build, FTX)
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