Why is LEGO Ideas 21359 Italian Riviera not a modular?

The original design of LEGO Ideas 21359 Italian Riviera was intended to be modular-compatible, and the team have explained why that changed.

Of the many changes that fan designer Alex Sahli's The Italian Riviera project underwent during the transition from fan design to an official set, one of the most significant amendments was the removal of the baseplate, switching to a design that is less compatible with modular buildings, as was originally intended.

"I might try to do a Rebrickable mod of the set using a baseplate so that it can be modular-compatible like my original design," shares fan designer, Alex Sahli, on Reddit under the username _Linky_. "I think the final design works better for display, but I recognise that some people prefer the original too"

While it would not have been possible without some modifications to bring the street of The Italian Riviera project down to the same level as the sets in the Modular Building Collection, the original design for 21359 Italian Riviera certainly would have been a unique entry to the LEGO Modular Buildings Collection.

The official build eschews the baseplate in favour of a more angular design, though the core ideas of the submissions are still on display.

"We definitely wanted to keep that modularity in the levels, because it gives you all the access," explained LEGO Ideas Creative Lead Jordan Scott in a recent roundtable interview. "We didn't want to do an open back or anything because we wanted a 360-degree model, and to take it away from the modular baseplate. The modular buildings feature very specific architecture of a certain era, and this isn't one you would put next to the museum, for example. It would feel really out of place.

"We wanted this to be able to stand on its own for those people who are just really interested in this area and this architecture and things, and that allowed Mary and the team to make even more details all the way around, and more interesting architecture in a 360-degree space. I think it just makes for a different building experience."

The decision to remove any intended modular building compatibility came down to the subject matter not making sense on a street, which so far has no kind of waterfront properties. There was also consideration given to a wider audience than just LEGO collectors, who may not know or care about the modular building range.

For those who are looking to expand their modular street, at least you can still catch up on recent releases, including 10350 Tudor Corner, or explore how water can be integrated into the collection to one day add a modified 21359 Italian Riviera to your shelf.

21359 Italian Riviera launches on August 10 widely for  £249.99 / $299.99 / €279.99, but LEGO Insiders will be getting early access on August 7. From August 7 to 13, the free 5009422 Italian Market Van will also be available exclusively with the LEGO Ideas set. You can take a closer look at the upcoming LEGO Ideas model by reading our in-depth review.

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