Lego microscale Arctic Research Site WIP. (Render)

Tadoke

1696

Working on a micro scale (1:8) build, to eventually develop a larger diorama idea. Built in Stud.IO on a 32x32 baseplate. Represents collection of MOCs, official and modified Lego sets. When considering this is 8 times smaller than the intended scale, Understandably this entire project seems EPIC! This is one of those, VERY LONG term projects. :) Fun the dream.

Main concept is a polar/arctic facility situated on a coastline, to explore up into the snowy mountains. Research camp studies the new "resource", for it to be transported to HQ. Then the "resource" is exported by sea via icebreaker ship.

Concept descriptions of key locations :
1) The Old Fishing Store can be placed near the beach. It can serve as a tourist spot.2) Lighthouse Isle is a MOC that can be seen in this render. https://imgur.com/nq4YovL
3) I felt a security check point adds to the 'restricted area' feeling.
4) Simple portrayal of the Cargo harbor docks. Designed to cater mostly to the Icebreaker Ship.
5) Heavy modified version of set# 60062. Real life pic for reference https://imgur.com/Dllzbzb
6) Arctic/Polar HQ contains admin offices, living amenities, and advanced laboratories. Top floor skywalk.
7) In the Construction yard, modules and large components are assembled for the remote camps.
8) Warehouse storage for sensitive cargo and air vehicles. Suitable for indoor fabrication processes.
9) Monitors activity and communications from base camp, expedition teams, air & sea transports.
10) Crates and containers can be stored outside. A light rail line can be used to hasten transport.
* Frozen Thundra (:D Final fantasy) Route would represent the vast stretches of icy terrain of the area.
11) To heighten (;P) the sense of the challenge for the explorers, up onto a mountain they must climb
12) Base Camp Command is central to work site. Handling comms & vehicle maintenance.
13) Gear, equipment and fuel can go outside in the Supply Storage
14) Dorms to keep workers healthy and Research modules for scientists.
15) Workers extract precious "resources" deep within the ice. Series of conveyor belts are necessary. R/L reference https://imgur.com/a/cQ0Jx8M

360° views of the Polar/Arctic Expedition Site.
A more detailed narrative : A Research Facility built on a shoreline, surrounded by tundra and mountains. Explorers scout the area to detect traces of the "resource", and to create routes to suspected sites. Components for the camp are delivered by ship, and assembled at the facility. With a route secured, larger vehicles can tow camp site supplies and modules. At the dig site, extracted material can be studied by scientists to determine quality of the "resource". Items of interest can be crated, transported to the harbor and loaded aboard the icebreaker ship. Leaving port, the icebreaker can bust through sea ice to reach destination.

Side stories include a very tall and isolated lighthouse, radioactive lagoon, touristy old fishing store, and RV campers on beach.

While many details are lost at this scale, I was able to develop the overall proportions of the HQ Facility.
I definitely love the idea of a skywalk between the two buildings, aiding in the idea of protection and safety from weather and work vehicles. The HQ building appears rather small, however the full minifig scale version seems slightly oversized.

I have this idea of using roller coaster elements to have a light cargo rail line between the cargo depot and the dock. Instead of trucks and drivers, the small containers can be im/exported using an automated system.

I've seen some interesting airport hanger MOCs that could be reference for the Warehouse building, as it would be awesome to include a few air vehicles into this narrative. The challenge then is allotting space for helipads and even a basic air field runway.

love that view of the micro driller overlooking the facility.

From bottom of the pit, workers load extracted material onto a conveyor belt that hoists it up onto a sifting platform. Precious "resources" are plucked from the stream of icy debris, and carried over to the Research module. Drillers and plows further develop the terrain to expand the site.