# Folding Building Block Novels The LEGO Pop-Up Book Forms the Japanese Todai-ji Temple By Nikki Taylor | Published 2012-11-16 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-popup-book References: [designtaxi](http://designtaxi.com/news/354393/Japanese-Man-Creates-LEGO-Pop-Up-Book-Opens-Up-To-Reveal-A-Temple/) & [youtube](http://www.youtube.com/user/talapz) You have probably seen small scale towns constructed out of colorful building blocks but have you ever seen a LEGO Pop-up book? [YouTube](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-lofi-girl) user and artist Talapz who is known for creating fantastic structures out of the stacking pieces, designed something you would need to see to believe. He recreates the image of Japan's Todai-ji Buddhist temple folded inside of a building block book. When the cover of the book is lifted, the building inflates like a balloon, complete with a Buddha statue nestled inside of the brown and white walls. Then it folds back down, separating like a flower to be hidden by a hefty white cover. If you're interested in building your own Todai-ji LEGO pop-up book, Talapz provides a guide of how it was put together at the end of the video. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 40% | Activity: 12% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Pop-up LEGO Building Blocks:** Creating pop-up structures with LEGO building blocks could lead to innovative and interactive experiences for children and adults alike. - **3D Pop-up Books:** Adapting the traditional format of pop-up books into 3D versions that are interactive and create an immersive experience can provide a new avenue for storytelling and learning. - **DIY Building Block Kits:** Kits for building 3D structures out of building blocks can provide a hands-on and engaging activity for children and adults alike. ### Who This Affects Most - **Toy:** The pop-up LEGO building blocks and DIY kits offer opportunities for toy companies to create new engaging products for children. - **Education:** Creating 3D pop-up books that offer hands-on learning experiences can provide an innovative opportunity for education companies. - **Art and Design:** The creation of intricate pop-up LEGO structures offers an opportunity for artists and designers to push the boundaries of what is possible with building blocks. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Artwork-Inspired Building Block Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-hokusai-the-great-wave.md) - [Imaginative Buildable Magazines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-and-wallpaper.md) - [Towering Wooden Block Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/capsule-tower.md) - [Artful Puzzle Block Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-great-wave-off-kanagawa.md) - [Historical Architecture Game Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-notre-dame-set.md) - [Block Puzzle Modular Dollhouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dollhouse-concept.md) - [Building Block Chess Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-tower-chess-set.md) - [Building Block Tiny Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-tiny-house.md) - [Toy Brick-Inspired Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/curving-block.md)