Using your imagination to create whimsical and thought-provoking designs is a great way to think outside-the-box, and these examples of toy-inspired architecture are utilizing playful references to create mind-blowing structures.
Toys are often items that are associated with what little children play with, but since certain toys are often cherished and beloved by people well into their adulthood, there's no surprise that certain architects are utilizing those references in their designs. With the popularity of such classic toy brands as LEGO and Barbie continuing to gain momentum amongst children and adults worldwide, incorporating those iconic looks and themes into large-scale pieces of architecture serves to create a whimsically original and sentimental overall appearance.
From creative overpass designs that resembles a giant slinky to vibrant buildings that look like colorful LEGO pieces, these examples of toy-inspired architecture will surely have adults feeling nostalgic about their childhood.
28 Examples of Toy-Inspired Architecture
From Building Block Architecture to Puzzle-Filled Condos:
Tana Makmanee — Jul 25, 2013 — Art & Design
28
Fantasy-Filled Stores
The Pilar's Story Toyshop is Made for Children
27
LEGO-Inspired Architecture
Turkish Company Designnobis Presents the D-Eco Brick
26
Lego Street Repairs
Jan Vormann Takes His Dispatchwork to the Streets of New York
25
LEGO Building Add-Ons
Habitat Make Us Blind Exhibit Imagines the Possibilities for Vacant Lots
24
Colorfully Layered Cafes
The Mocha Mojo Coffeehouse Looks Like a Playful LEGO Land
23
Surreal LEGO Cityscapes
The Habit Makes Us Blind Project Builds Urban Planning Awareness
22
Prefabricated Playgrounds
The Play Modern Cuba and 2cuba Playhouses are Built With Minimal Tools
21
Building Block Sculptures
Lene Wille Creates Playful and Professional Pieces With LEGO
20
Puzzle-Filled Condos
The Geometrix Design Russian Apartment is a Picturesque Family Home
19
Giant LEGO Bridges
Australian Team Create 46-Foot Freestanding Bridge
18
Real-Life Toy Car Ramps
The Double Loop Dare Brings Hot Wheels to Life
17
Colorful Toy-Inspired Architecture
Childminders Center is the Ultimate in Child-Friendly Design
16
Building Block Architecture
GGF Architects' Wahroonga Preparatory School Looks Made With LEGO
15
Life-Sized LEGO Blocks
Tara Ketchum's Concrete LEGO Blocks are Solid
14
Jenga-Inspired Architecture
The Cafe Kureon by Kengo Kuma and Associates is Multi-Dimensional
13
DIY Home Construction
German HIB System Makes Building Blocks for Custom Homes
12
Pirate Sailboat Toy Houses
The Red Beards Revenge Pirate Ship Playhouse by PoshTots is Life-Size
11
100 Foot LEGO Building
50th Anniversary Tower
10
Contemporary Toy Homes
The 'Tdo Wallpaper Dollhouse' is Also a Luxury Lamp
9
Iconic Toy Structures
The LEGO Sydney Opera House Pays Tribute to a Beautiful Design
8
Japanese Toy-Inspired Infrastructure
Prostho Museum Research Center is Made of Wooden Sticks
7
Toy-Inspired Overpasses
The Slinky Springs Bridge is Colorful and Fun
6
Blocked Interior Designs
The LEGO Apartment Presents an Alternative Style
5
Starry Toy Shops
The De La Cuna A La Luna Store Boasts a Constellation-Inspired Ceiling
4
Building Block Architecture
The 'Build Up Japan' Project Creates the Metropolis Out of LEGO
3
Roman Toy Block Architecture
Ryan McNaught's LEGO Colosseum is Captivating and Accurate
2
Building Block Stairways
The Wieden + Kennedy Office by Featherstone Young
1
Customizable City Exhibits
‘Reimagining Chinatown' Dives Into L.A. Urban Culture
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Sci-Fi-Honoring Toy Puzzle Books
LEGO and Star Wars Unveils the Force of Creativity Book
Show-Inspired Miniature Toy Sets
The Stranger Things Polly Pocket is an Adorable Playset
Anniversary-Celebrating Toy Collections
The LEGO® Group & Hasbro Unveil LEGO DUPLO® PEPPA PIG Sets
Building Block Chess Sets
The LEGO Tower Chess Set by Ferbrick1 is Sculptural
Pink-Hued Shipping Container Homes
These Pink Shipping Container Homes by Ishita Ganguly are Chic
Nature-Inspired Building Block Sets
The LEGO Seven Natural Wonders of the World Sets are Detailed
AI-Generated Retrofuturistic Objects
Vadim Sadovski Uses Midjourney AI for This Series
AI-Generated Real-World Transformations
AI-Artist Who Gives a Unique Design to Real Objects
Cat-Centric Compact Homes
This Japanese Dwelling Embraces Feline-Friendly Design Choices
Neurodiverse Inclusion Initiatives
LEGO® Group is Championing Inclusivity With 3 New Initiatives
Buildable 3D Superhero Displays
The Gotham City Skyline Set Recreates an Iconic City in LEGO
Plant-Filled Latticed Buildings
Wallflower Architecture + Design Creates the Touching Eden House
Origami-Inspired Sleek Cabins
A.L.P.S. Designs the Infinity Mobile Architecture System
Insanely Intricate LEGO Cars
MoonGravity06's LEGO Rolls-Royce Phantom is Impressively Detailed
Playful Contemporary Offices
Studio ANTIPOD's Tenderly Office Boasts Japanese Design Accents
Educational Climate Change Toys
The 'Habitat' Educational Toy Brick Sets Come in Two Options
Life-Size LEGO Cars
LEGO Debuts a McLaren Formula 1 Car at the Canadian Grand Prix
Minimalist Play Furniture
Blueberry and Third Specializes in Slick and Stylish Toys
Witty Toy-Brand Horror Posters
LEGO Presents a Range of Playful Horror Posters for the Season
Cactus-Inspired Urban Skyscrapers
This Danish Skyscraper Features a Spiky Facade Design
Prefabricated Miniature Home Concepts
i29 Creates the Câpsula Concept for Dutch Design Week
Building Block Footwear Models
The LEGO Air Jordan 11 by Tomasso Builds is Cubically Classic
Toy Brick-Inspired Luggage Sets
LEGO Introduces a New Bright Trolley and Backpack Set
Buildable Marble Mazes
The LEGO Magic Maze is a Challenging, Skill-Building Tabletop Game
Reimagined Toy Block Designs
The LEGO Lofi Girl Reimagines the Iconic Musical Icon
Extreme Space-Saving Architecture
A 74-Square-Foot Apartment is Redefining Urban Living
Introductory STEM Toy Sets
The Zig & Go from Djeco Combines Music and Forces in an Educational Toy
Nostalgic Toy-Inspired Fashion Collections
rue21 is Collaborating with Barbie® and Hot Wheels®
Kaleidoscopic Kindergarten Buildings
The Tianshui Kindergarten by SAKO Architects is Whimsical
Kid-Envisioned Urban Environments
The Little Big Playmat Takes a Creative Path to Design Problems
Building Block Gaming Consoles
The LEGO PS One by GoofySwan099 is Highly Detailed
Iconic Artist Toy Sets
The LEGO Ideas Bob Ross Set by Bricknificient is Detailed
Nature-Inspired Pet Toys
A Team of Designers Create the Unique Triangle Toy for Pets
Iconic Artwork Toy Sets
The LEGO Art Mona Lisa Set Pays Homage to the Masterpiece
Modular Cat Trees
The PETLIBRO INFINITY Cat Tree Supports Comfort, Relaxation & Play
Playful Restaurant Pop-Ups
The Play-Doh Restaurant of Imagination Turns Kids' Creations Edible
Nostalgic LEGO Roller Skates
The LEGO® Creator 3-in-1 Girls Retro Roller Skate is Playful
Video Game-Inspired LEGO Sets
LEGO Super Mario is Sure to Capture the Attention of Fans
Japanese Inn-Inspired Apartments
Intheory Design Creates an Apartment Inspired by Ryokan
Family-Friendly Interactive Museums
LEGO's Superpower Studios is Devoted to Hands-On Play
Modern Multi-Purpose Japanese Buildings
Akio Isshiki Architect Overhauls an Old Wooden Building
Multisensory Toy Boxes
The Janod Boxes Stimulate Sight, Touch, Hearing and More
Child-Friendly Camera Concepts
The Camera for Kids Concept Reimagines the Digital Camera
Intricate Galaxy Puzzle Sets
The LEGO Art The Milky Way Galaxy Set Honors Our Own Galaxy
Retro Railway-Inspired Puzzle Sets
The The Bica Funicular Made from LEGOS Celebrates Lisbon
Vibrant Inclusive Playground Exhibitions
Wade and Leta Presents the Falling Into Place Exhibition
Box-Like Innovative Apartment Designs
Photon Studio's Designs the Box in the Box Apartment
Stunningly Whimsical Playgrounds
XISUI Design Draws Inspiration from Natural Forms Such as Caves
Interactive Play Experiences
LEGO's Superpower Academy Connects Families with the Power of Play
Everyday Material Colorful Pavilions
Foster + Partners and NEON Create Two Pavilions in London
Retro Sitcom-Inspired Puzzle Sets
The LEGO Ideas Full House is Made with Intricate Detail
Minimalist Building Block Flowers
The LEGO Cherry Blossoms Set Has 438 Pieces
Sustainability-Oriented Kids Toys
Learning Resources Unveils a New Sustainable Toy Capsule
Big Apple Toy Blocks
These Machi Town (New York) Blocks by kiko+ Encourage Creative Play
Fairy Tale-Inspired Puzzle Sets
LEGO Creates Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ Cottage
Architecturally Inspired Chess Sets
Element Visual Studio Designs the Baku Chess Set
Food-Based Toy Block Alternatives
LEGO Replaces its Plastic Bricks with a Eco-Friendly Options
Buildable Paper Playsets
Playper's Curious Kingdom: Castle Playset Encourages Creativity
Book-Themed Collectibles
Booksy's Tiny Books & Figures Inspire a Love of Reading in Kids
Town-Like Classroom Designs
Atelier Apeiron Designs the Kindergarten of Museum Forest Building
Towering Wooden Block Sets
Oscar Diaz Designs a Block Set Inspired by the Nakagin Capsule Tower
Phone Box-Inspired Building Sets
LEGO Introduces its Red London Telephone Box Set
Brand-Led Global Studies
The LEGO Group Conducted a Study That May Inform Market Decisions
Brick Builder Community Apps
The LEGO Play App Provides a Kid-Safe Space for Builders of All Ages
3D Puzzle Popcorn Machines
Dimexart Creates an Intricate Popcorn Machine from LEGO Blocks
Modernism Birdhouse Exhibitions
Andu Masebo and Rio Kobayashi Create the Dwellings Project
Dream-Centric Toy Guides
The LEGO Group Calls Attention to Its Dream Crafting Concept
Game-Inspired Playable Puzzle Sets
The Tetris Solid LEGO Set is Impressively Playable
Colorful Kid's Toy Lines
Battat and Walmart Introduce a Line of Preschool and Pretend Play Toys
Swooped Museum Roof Planes
BIG Designs the Waterfront Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art
Toy Block-Inspired Wooden Bookshelves
Waiting Woood Designs the New Rotating Picture Book Rack
Modern-Updated Traditional Homes
KiKi ARCHi Designs the Skip House in the Middle of Beijing
Repurposed Brick Public Furniture
Akasaki Vanhuyse's FLOAT Bench is Intriguing & Eco-Friendly
Proposal Ring Box Puzzles
LEGO Introduces a Ring Box Set to Fit a Ring Inside
Bamboo-Inspired Cultural Buildings
This Cultural Center Seamlessly Blends Into its Surroundings
Multifunctional Game Sets
The 'LEGO' Group is Merging Physical and Digital Play
Cityscape-Like Cat Furniture
La Jato del Gato Designs the Mocats Multifunctional Indoor Furniture
Expansive Toy-Inspired Amusement Parks
Mattel Adventure Park Will Open in 2024 in Arizona
Lego-Themed Escape Rooms
'Lost' Invites Players to Select One of Two Immersive Storylines
90s Toy Holiday Trees
Furbtrees are Introducing the Next Generation of Furby Across the UK
Sail-Shaped Skyscapers
Hill West Architects Completes the Olympia Dumbo Building in Brooklyn
Toy-Specific Storage Systems
Step2 Debuts a Toy Storage Box for Developing Organizational Skills
Visually Impaired Puzzle Blocks
LEGO Presents Braille Bricks for an Inclusive Playing
Doll-Inspired Bedrooms
Inspired by the Barbie Movie, Emma Created a Bedroom for Ken
Economical Modular Wooden Homes
The Cake House Reinvents Housing in the Czech Republic
Abstract Art Block-Puzzle Sets
LEGO Introduces a New Colorful 31210 Modern Art Set
Film-Inspired Bright Doll Houses
Mattel Creations Unveils the Mini Mojo Dojo Casa House
Iconic Doll-Inspired Exhibitions
Barbie: The Exhibition Opens at London's Design Museum
Living Condition Awareness Dollhouses
IKEA's UNWELCOME HOME Doll House Brings Awareness
Paper-Inspired Artful Museums
Bjarke Ingels Group Designed the Museum for Papirkunst
Dynamic Immersive Play Museums
LEGO Group Presents the Superhero Studios Initiative in Paris
Magnetic Building Playsets
Moose Toys' Tile Town Has Dynamic Action Tiles to Spark Imagination
Youth-Focused Architectural Toys
The Freckled Frog's 'Happy Architect' Toy is for Curious Youth
Nature Blending Modern Homes
MODU Designed the Mini Tower One Residence in Brooklyn
Award-Winning Magnetic Building Sets
MAGNA-TILES® Affirms Itself as a Leader in Educational Toys
Racing Video Game-Inspired Blocks
LEGO Introduces the Dynamic Super Mario Kart Set
Braille Building Blocks
LEGO's Play with Braille Bricks Teach Kids with Visual Impairments to Read
Customizable Toy Islanders
LEGO Announces a New Animal Crossing-Themed Collaboration
Reimagined Puzzled Artful Paintings
Mecesoo Creates the LEGO Portrait of a Woman in a Hat
Block Puzzled Book Nooks
The LEGO Book Nook is a Novelty Miniature Buildable Diorama
Multifunctional Building Planks
'KEVA Planks' are Diverse Building Toys for All Ages
Concrete Boxes-Overlapping Homes
FujiwaraMuro Architects Designs the House in Tsurumi-ku
Human-Shaped Puzzle Bricks
Peter Minsoub Sim Designs the Souper Connect Stacked Bricks
Welcoming Prefabricated Student Housing
Ignacio Prego Architectures Designs New Student Housing
3D Superhero Block-Puzzle Sets
LEGO Unveils the New Decorative Amazing Spider-Man Set
Doll-Inspired Modern Installations
Nina Tolstrup Creates The Pavilions of Wonder Series in London
Live-In Art Gallery Homes
Casa Galeria is a Home That Doubles as an Art Gallery
Chic Nautical-Inspired Apartments
TENKA ARKITEKTURA Designs a Stylish and Textured Apartment
8-Bit Building Block Sets
The LEGO Super Mario World Mario & Yoshi Set Has a Classic Inspiration
Block Puzzle Modular Dollhouses
Gavin Portillo and Mario Ledo Create a Dollhouse Concept
Artist-Inspired Flower Puzzle Sets
BelgianDesigner's LEGO Ideas is Inspired by Murakami's Work
Compact Calming Homes
Batay-Csorba Architects Masterfully Designed a Modern Brick Home in Toronto
Brick Puzzle Chandeliers
DallasBricks Designs the Lightweight LEGO Antique Chandelier
Ruin-Adaptive Shipping Container Homes
Patrick Bradley Architects Forms the Barneys Ruins Project
Wooden Roof Japanese Museums
Shigeru Ban Designs the Toyota City Museum in Japan
Family-Friendly Survival Games
Lego Debuts a New Fortnite Survival Crafting Game
Geometric African Homes
Gregory Katz Architecture Designs the Great Primary Shapes Home
Parametric Style Video Games
Zaha Hadid Architects and Epic Games Add to Re:Imagine London
Green Tiled Extended Residences
Madam Architectuur Designs the Sofie House in Belgium
Industrial-Inspired Housing Units
Conen Sigl Designs the Westhof Housing Block in Zurich
Life-Sized Toy Construction Sets
The Funphix' 'Standard' is an Educational Outdoor Playset
Historical Architecture Game Blocks
LEGO Unveils the Notre-Dame de Paris Set
Magnetic Building Tiles
Magna-Tiles Introduces its 'MicroMags' Product Line for Young Builders
Pale Yellow Minimal Townhomes
i.B. Archstudio Designs the VVV Townhouse with Pastel Hues
White Concrete Boxy Museums
Thomas Phifer Designs the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw
Contemporary Art Puzzle Sets
LEGO's Modern Art Building Set is a Great Buildable Decor
Fluffy Soft Marshmallow Penthouses
Design Doodle Studio Designs the Marshmallow Penthouse
Efficient Architecture Design Tools
Architecture Helper Provides Design Insights in Seconds
Ukraine Landmark Puzzle Sets
United24 and LEGO Present a New Set Reflecting Ukraine's Landmark
Superhero Headquarter Puzzle Sets
LEGO Group Transforms the X-Mansion into an Intricate LEGO Set
Interconnected Brick-Clad Buildings
David Chipperfield Architects Blends Three Housing Typologies
Brutalist Minimal Apartment Designs
Zalc Arquitetura Reimagines the JF Apartment in Brazil
Virtual Doll-Inspired Tycoons
Mattel and Gamefam Launch the 'Barbie DreamHouse Tycoon' on Roblox
Playful Toy-Inspired Exhibits
The Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity Debuts Toys & Play Exhibit
Multifunctional Cross-Disciplinary Buildings
The BLOX Building in Represents Joint Thinking
Paper-Like Art Museum Roofs
BIG Expands the Museum for Paper Art in Denmark with a Folded Roof
Industrial Warehouse-Inspired Offices
Carr Designs a New Office Block with Industrial Themes
Whimsical Sculptural Furniture Series
Micah Rosenblatt Presents the City Block Series in Art Show
Dynamic Concrete Modern Buildings
Atelier Matias Mosquera Designs the Shire Building
Geometric Red-Brick Suburban Homes
OFIS Arhitekti Designs the Frame House in Ljubljana