umbraco photos on Flickr

Ciudad de las Artes - Valencia - Spain. by Carlos Vieira

51 196

Best to be viewed in large size format.

According to Law 9.610/98, it is prohibited the partial or total commercial reproduction without the previous written authorization of the author (article 29). ® All rights are reserved. Conforme a Lei 9.610/98, é proibida a reprodução total e parcial ou divulgação comercial sem a autorização prévia e expressa do autor (artigo 29). ® Todos os direitos reservados.

Umbraco - Valencia - Spain. by Carlos Vieira

22 185

Best to be viewed in large size format.

According to Law 9.610/98, it is prohibited the partial or total commercial reproduction without the previous written authorization of the author (article 29). ® All rights are reserved. Conforme a Lei 9.610/98, é proibida a reprodução total e parcial ou divulgação comercial sem a autorização prévia e expressa do autor (artigo 29). ® Todos os direitos reservados.

St. John's Anglican Church, 23 Dover Street, Otterville, Norwich Township, Oxford County, ON by Snuffy

30 20

Excerpt from webresources.oxfordcounty.ca/umbraco/documents/history/OC...:

About 1854 St. John’s Anglican Church was built on a piece of land given by Edward Bullock—part of the present cemetery.

In 1915 Henry Bullock donated some $20,000 for the building of the present Anglican Church, parish hall and rectory as a memorial to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bullock. The rectory was later sold.

Otterville United Church, 231 Main Street East, Otterville, Norwich Township, Oxford County, ON by Snuffy

32 26

Excerpt from webresources.oxfordcounty.ca/umbraco/documents/history/OC...:

In 1862 the Otterville New Connexion Methodist Church was built across from the present Baptist Church by a man named Wilkinson.

The Wesleyan Methodists met in the Baptist Church. After the union of these two Methodist groups the frame church was moved over where it now stands, bricked and the basement built— 1884.

In 1918 it was completely renovated and the outside steps enclosed. In 1955 a modern kitchen and addition to the Sunday School were added.

Ciudad de las Artes Spain - Valencia. by Carlos Vieira

19 68

Best to be viewed in large size format.

According to Law 9.610/98, it is prohibited the partial or total commercial reproduction without the previous written authorization of the author (article 29). ® All rights are reserved. Conforme a Lei 9.610/98, é proibida a reprodução total e parcial ou divulgação comercial sem a autorização prévia e expressa do autor (artigo 29). ® Todos os direitos reservados.

Sam the Owl by Jackie & Dennis

6 9

37,900 bricks

136 hours build time

Sam the owl was one of three builds that were new in 2018. And from reports at the time record he was built from 37,884 LEGO bricks.

I've been on one of my hunts - trying to find out who they were made by - originally in 2015 there were 11 exhibits - nine built by Bright Bricks and two by A N Other. Three exhibits added in 2018 and a further two in 2022 - some WWT show sixteen and some WWT mention fifteen. I've mislaid the Martin Mere leaflet, but I think they were showing fifteen in Jan/Feb 2023. Maybe one has gone off for repair.

In 2018 Bright Bricks were taken over, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bright_Bricks "Bright Bricks is a toy construction brick building company based in Bordon, Hampshire. The company was founded by Duncan Titmarsh in 2010 and subsequently became a LEGO-certified building company, until its 2018 takeover by Live Group, withdrawal from the LEGO Certified Professional program, and move to using non-LEGO plastic bricks."

Had I been more observant I would had realised none of the trail information signs had the LEGO trademark on them; so I would guess that over time even those that were built with LEGO bricks by LEGO-certified professionals, have been repaired with other bricks and/or by people that aren't certified.

Who would have realised how complex it is, not me! And I have been surprised by just how many giant brick models exist. media.umbraco.io/live-company-group/fnhb1kex/bl-event-cal...

Grand Hotel Kempinski, Vilnius, Lithuania (Detail) by A.Davey

6 1

The building that now houses Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square was built in 1900 by the famous architect Michail Prozorov.

Under the roof of this multifunctional building, the Treasure House of Vilnius province and the Czarist government’s state treasury were established. Later, the building was used as the premises of the New York hotel. In 1948, the building became the home of the central telegraph office. Then, in 2006, renovation of the building began with an aim to preserve and revive the building’s historical roots. After the renovation, in 2012, Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square was opened.

www.kempinski.com/en/vilnius/grand-hotel-kempinski/press-...

========================================================

For more than a century, a building in the heart of old town in Vilnius where the Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square is located has been one of the symbols reflecting historical transitions in Lithuania and Vilnius city.

Over time, due to changes of the historical circumstances and epochs a building has changed its face and purpose, however, after a while it has relived as a centre of Vilnius’ society, and guests.

According to legends, at the place where Kempinski hotel Cathedral Square is currently situated, once a valley has been established by the Grand Duke Šventaragis.

The dukes were cremated there according to the pagan rituals and a perpetual fire was burnt in the honor of God Perkūnas.

In the forest at the same place, Grand Duke Gediminas had a dream where the iron wolf was howling, and that prophetic dream gave the idea to set up the town.

Eventually, after adoption of Christianity, pagan altar was replaced to altar of the Catholic Cathedral, and the valley forests were cut down.

For centuries, the land where the hotel is located had been the ownership of different inhabitants.

It was owned by Cathedral chapter, later on by the monks of Fraternity of St. John (bonifrati), St. Mary Magdalen Parish that was in close vicinity and different

nobles, and in the middle of 19th century the land was acquired by Oton Bogdanovich. He was a prominent nobleman and the owner of many famous buildings in Vilnius.

Implementing his initiative, the foundation for this building was laid. Because of the fast growth and development, governmental and institutional buildings emerged one after the other around the Cathedral Square.

It should have been clear to Bogdanovich that this territory [would become] the center of the city, and the building would be a perfect investment.

So the construction of the building was urgent, and the projects of the building were made by the famous architect Michail Prozorov.

He was an innovative architect who used the metal and concrete structures that were a novelty at that time so he became the author of a few magnificent buildings in Vilnius.

First of all, in 1893, some communal buildings were built, and then they were reconstructed, in addition, some wings built.

Later on, the construction of this building was overtaken by Bogdanovich’s son Mechislaw Bogdanovich.

In 1899, he asked for permission of Vilnius municipal governors in order to build a four floor house, and the construction was supervised by the same architect M. Prozorov.

In 1900, the construction was nearly finished so the new life and its history started with the new century.

The monumental four floor building with its facade facing the Cathedral Square, immense volume and

architectural forms was noticeable among the buildings of that time.

This building became well known from the very beginning as Treasure House of Vilnius province, when the czar government hired it for state treasury.

Some time later, the other housing was uses as the premises of “New York” hotel with furnished rooms for couriers.

The country was devastated because of wars. After the World War I, Vilnius became a Part of Poland, and the purpose of building was changed.

There were no institutions in it, and it was used for cultural events. From 1921 to 1927 it was a scene for active and versatile life. In the big hall, at that time used for entertainments, music was played, theatre groups arranged their performances, and concerts took place.

Such a vivid place attracted numerous visitors to the buffet to discuss the news, and to the billiard hall.

Until 1940, it was hired by staff of a few newspapers, Gabetner Wolff’s bookstore, “Pac” chocolate manufacture and store, “Prospiešnia” publishing house, commerce courses,“Znicz” publishing house that the biggest in Vilnius at that time, and a pawnshop that used to take in different stuff including gold money and fur.

A Jewish gymnasium, font foundry, bindery and the “Hermitage” hotel worked there.

At the time of World War II, Lithuanian state was occupied by the Soviet Union. The building had to survive in the new circumstances. Activities of organizations were interrupted, newspapers closed, publishing houses destroyed, and the people who lived had to leave.

From 1940, the building became a national property, and from 1942 it was managed by the governors.

[The] old magnificent building in front of the Cathedral as in the post-war years it became restructured in order to use for central Vilnius city telegraph.

During the World War II and German occupation, the telegraph network was nearly destroyed in the country.

When in 1948 the telegraph was established anew, it started from a few pieces of equipment in the same building and had to be developed.

In a few decades, there became more of equipment as the new technologies were created. The number of inventive specialists also grew, and they attempted to restructure and renovate communication system in Vilnius and Lithuania’s territory.

Local engineers and technicians implemented new equipment, and the telegraph employees got numerous awards as a team.

The building was open for all who wanted to send some message to family or friends to any destination point in the Soviet Union comprising

Moscow, Riga or Kiev.

From 1990 Lithuania regained its independence, and the building was renovated for a new life as well, even if had remained as telegraph location for some time.

From 5 September, 2012 the new Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square which is a part of the oldest luxury hotels network in Europe managed by Kempinski Hotels opens the door. The building having rich past and history gains new future perspectives.

www.kempinski.com/umbraco/Surface/Download/DownloadFile/8...

Skills Matter by Skills Matter

Umbraco UK Festival 2016. Thursday, 3rd - Friday, 4th November at CodeNode, London. skillsmatter.com/conferences/8460-umbraco-uk-festival-2016. Images copyright www.edtelling.com

Grand Hotel Kempinski, Vilnius, Lithuania by A.Davey

5 2

The building that now houses Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square was built in 1900 by the famous architect Michail Prozorov.

Under the roof of this multifunctional building, the Treasure House of Vilnius province and the Czarist government’s state treasury were established. Later, the building was used as the premises of the New York hotel. In 1948, the building became the home of the central telegraph office. Then, in 2006, renovation of the building began with an aim to preserve and revive the building’s historical roots. After the renovation, in 2012, Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square was opened.

www.kempinski.com/en/vilnius/grand-hotel-kempinski/press-...

======================

For more than a century, a building in the heart of old town in Vilnius where the Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square is located has been one of the symbols reflecting historical transitions in Lithuania and Vilnius city.

Over time, due to changes of the historical

circumstances and epochs a building has changed its face and purpose, however, after a while it has relived as a centre of Vilnius’ society, and guests.