The Statue of Liberty

The original design is intended to fit in with the Architecture range. I've had a go at simplifying the build for the fortress. It does not have anywhere near as much detail but it does reduce the brick count to almost a third of the original design at just 226 bricks instead of 628.Please leave a comment, does the simpler design capture the spirit of the structure or do you prefer the more realistic detail in the original?

Building the star pointed shape of the base was a bit of a compromise as I needed to give the model stepped sides. This suggested modification ot the build does not change the build or add any more pieces. I've just twisted the tops to give the appearance of the star coming to points. If you have a preferance please post a comment. Thanks for all of the support so far.

I have rebuilt the model from the ground up to try and reduce the total brick count. I used a lot of plates in the design and I have reduced the brick  count from 628 to 565 by using blocks wherever there was three layers of plates. This  provides a smoother side to the ground level. The reduction in parts could be enough to reduce the cost of the set by about £3 ($5).

I also noticed that the two points on the rear of the monument should not have come together at a point in the middle, there should have been a small flat section between them. Moving the rear entrance out by one stud has correct the outline and allows for the two tone paving to have a small darker section 2 studs wide. This gives a much better representation of the rear entrance area and the first level of the monument.

I was asked how accurate was the scale of the building/structure in relation to the minifig/height of real Statue of Liberty in oneof my comments and I thought it was worth adding the answer as an update.

The Lego minifigure is not an accurate model of the statue you cannot replicate the pose with the torch is above its head. Firstly I had added a plate to the minifigure's base to make it a little taller.  To scale my project I measured the height from her foot to the top spike of the crown which is approximately the same height as from the first level to the top of the plinth she stands on. As for the base I used Google Earth as a guide, I had to come out to points for the star shape that makes up the lower level and you have to work in 1 stud steps so the base is as close as I could make it and retain the features. As a ratio the base of the plinth compared to the width of the model is 1:4.75 measured on Google Earth and 1:4.6 on the model. I never tried to make a scale model but it was important to keep the right proportions between the minifigure and base.

The Statue of Liberty stands on Liberty Island in New York harbour and not the nearby Ellis Island. Apologies for the error.