Crystal Brighthouse floor plans · 10:54pm February 5th
While mulling a G5 fic idea over recently, I realized that I wanted a better idea of the layout of the Crystal Brighthouse, to be able to properly describe the place where the mane five mares live. So I searched for Brighthouse floor plans, figuring someone must have already done this, but to my surprise, I couldn't find a thing.1
Well then. Guess it's down to me.
My notes: Firstly, I just want to say that I really like the Crystal Brighthouse, you know? I'm fond of mysterious magical buildings. I felt the same way about Twilight's castle, and to a lesser extent the School of Friendship.
From a lore perspective, I even find the Crystal Brighthouse's origins preferable to Twilight's castle. Both buildings are replacements for the protagonist's destroyed home - but while Twilight's castle magically sprang up because of rainbows, the Crystal Brighthouse was actually designed and built in the image of what Sunny lost - and gained.
I also enjoy that it serves as a home for all of them (except Hitch, because he's got a paid-off mortgage). It gives the series a nice focal point and again sets it apart from G4, while providing a useful locale for writers to build from. The communal sleeping area provides opportunities for some interesting stories, like how long the Mane Five can last before they murder Izzy in her sleep.
And now, the bad stuff: It's kind of annoying how nearly-but-not-quite consistent the Brighthouse is. There are a few doors that lead to extradimensional spaces, which - you know, a little bit of forward planning could have solved that problem, but okay. But the biggest headache is the sleeping quarters, which - after bingeing more of MYM and TYT than is healthy - I still cannot for the life of me figure out if the entrance is at the front or rear. I have equally good evidence for both positions and the shows seem almost to tease me with their lack of clarity on the matter. If anyone has any input, feel free to offer it.
1 totallynotabrony later reminded me on Discord that they had made some floor plans back when the Brighthouse was first revealed, but I don't think they ever published them.
Quite a work you did there. Surprised about the entrance thing, I'd expect it to be consistent in MYM seeing it is a 3D model. Unless the inconsistency is because of the 2D cartoon.
Even as a floor plan, the colors make this looks sweet and cozy. It feels even warmer and sweeter that you would go to this effort, and then share it with everyone to use! And you’re totally right about a communal sleeping place, giving a ton of opportunities. I first thought of the dormitories in Harry Potter, but it also takes me all the way back to The Land Before Time. (As a fan of talking animals, and a young paleo nerd, I obsessed over that series.)
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That’s an interesting thought. Hawthorne, did you look at the 2D cartoon for reference?
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Yes, I did study Tell Your Tale as well, but it offers no clear answers (and sometimes just confuses the issue further).
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Thanks!
The inconsistency of the sleeping area entrance is fully present in Make Your Mark. The curvature of the trotway ramps suggests the entrance to the sleeping quarters is at the front, but the positions of the sleeping area windows suggests it is at the rear.
Props for trying! (To you, not the designers who throw in random impossible rooms.)