Idea Book 238-1 : Big Blue Dutch-style gable house

This construction is extracted from the Idea Book 238 (German edition) and can be seen at the back of the picture on this page :

This build draws clear inspiration from 17th-18th century Dutch Golden Age architecture, particularly the iconic stepped gable houses found in cities like Amsterdam or Haarlem. The stepped silhouette isn’t just decorative—historically, it allowed for hoist pulleys to lift goods into upper storage attics, a practical nod to merchant homes. In LEGO form, it captures the whimsical, colorful vibe of the Netherlands’ canal-side rowhouses (think Anne Frank House or canal warehouses), but simplified for play. The bold blue color and clean lines reflect mid-1960s LEGO’s shift toward modernist urban themes, blending historical charm with the era’s optimism for modular city-building. It’s a perfect example of how early Idea Books encouraged kids to recreate real-world landmarks using just basic bricks, fostering creativity without complexity.

All the builds in this picture can be found on that page.

Instructions

Inventory

Quantité	Photo	Nom de la Pièce
3		Brick 2 x 2
3		Brick 1 x 2
66		Brick 1 x 2
170		Brick 1 x 1
19		Brick 2 x 8
35		Brick 1 x 8
13		Brick 1 x 6
2		Brick 1 x 6
7		Brick 1 x 4
38		Brick 1 x 4
3		Plate 6 x 8
84		Window 1 x 2 x 2 with Fixed Trans-Clear Glass
1		Door 1 x 2 x 3 Hinge on Left with Trans-Clear Glass