If you’re a fan of hiking and dislike flat surfaces, then a visit to the iconic Lombard Street in San Francisco is a must! I’ve had the chance to explore not just this street but also its neighboring ones, which are even more hilly. As someone who absolutely detests uneven ground, I left feeling half-alive; my limbs were trembling, I could barely move my legs, and tears streamed uncontrollably from my eyes.
Unfortunately, at least one Mojang employee can attest to the truth of this story.
I was utterly exhausted after that walk, yet strangely, despite hardly being able to feel my legs, they seemed to bounce with joy. Perhaps it’s because even a lazy and passive person like me can appreciate the craftsmanship of this build. The zigzagging, intertwined paths of San Francisco recreated by Brian (also known as Creeper2357) in Minecraft look simply stunning. I will remember this creation as a small but beautiful piece of San Francisco with its steep slope; for me, the experience was somewhat traumatic but incredibly memorable. If someone were to take me to meet the creator of this build, I would definitely shake his hand!
“I had been contemplating Lombard Street for some time,” says Brian. “Before I start designing and building anything, I always look for suitable projects. For instance, the build needs to be recognizable, whether it’s a famous structure or location. It’s also crucial that when I transfer it into Minecraft Bedrock, I do so with as much quality and detail as possible to convey the atmosphere. Lombard Street fit most of these criteria, plus I had been there, which helped immensely.”
This street has an intriguing history. Even before the 20th century, its incline was 27 degrees! Just think about that number; considering how long ago it was and the primitive technology available, living there must have been quite inconvenient. Moreover, driving on such a slope was far from ideal. If you’re curious, just Google bad ideas from the 20th century, like the Great Depression, for example.
In 1922, the street’s gradient was reduced to 16 degrees, and a road featuring eight sharp turns was established. I’ve never driven on it myself, except for that really cool racing mission in “Driver: San Francisco,” which you probably haven’t completed either.
“Don’t start building spontaneously,” Brian advised when I asked him for tips on recreating real places in Minecraft Pocket Edition to make them as impressive as his street. “First, conduct research, study what you plan to build, and map out every detail.”
“If you’ve decided to construct something, Google Earth will be an invaluable tool. Their database of photos and satellite images is vast. Additionally, each photo comes with a tool that helps determine the actual dimensions of things.”
There’s a wealth of information online, especially regarding real, popular locations. Take advantage of this, spend some time thoroughly researching everything that interests you. If you search for Lombard Street, you’ll find a plethora of information, historical facts, and even stories about tourists often knocking on local residents’ doors asking to use their bathrooms, which can be a bit awkward, if not frightening.
“Initially, I plan out large details,” explains Brian. “For Lombard Street, I first laid out the shape of the street and then placed it on an empty hill.” Once the foundation was set, Brian moved on to finer details. The street appears vibrant due to the abundance of plants, and the buildings and other structures made of brick contribute to a cozy, realistic atmosphere.
I can only imagine sitting on one of those balconies, watching little Minecraft cars roll by on their square wheels, waving at tourists passing below, stopping in front of my house, and pointing to a sign that reads, “No, of course, you can’t use my bathroom!”
Right next to the real Lombard Street! Don’t tell the mayor of San Francisco, but I think Brian might prefer this version…
“The most challenging part was probably the landscaping: trees, bushes, flowers,” says Brian. “Plants and landscape work aren’t my strong suit, and while I can easily replicate buildings, plants are much more abstract. This randomness requires extra attention to achieve a believable result.”
Personally, I believe that landscape design is one of the strongest aspects of any build, so I was surprised when Brian mentioned it was the hardest for him. Wasn’t creating an octagonal street in a game made entirely of blocks a more daunting task?
“Part of the fun in building lies in overcoming limitations imposed by having only certain blocks available,” Brian explains. “Of course, you can use mods that add items like chairs or curved blocks, but I think that would take away from the enjoyment and creativity.”
I admire Brian’s approach to building in Minecraft Bedrock. Try conducting a little experiment: build something that usually challenges you, treat it as a test of your skills and abilities. It may be difficult and possibly time-consuming, but the outcome is worth it. Trust me, it’s a great way to hone your skills.
Could anyone responsible for constructing the nearby Filbert Street have traveled back in time to adopt Brian’s building philosophy? Because there’s no valid reason why Lombard Street should be this steep. My legs are still in shock…
