In previous builds, Luke (cathedralofbricks) has taken us to fairy tale castles, swashbuckling seas, and even Middle-earth. The builder’s latest wonder transports us to Marrakech at the height of the Saadian Sultinate. As he hinted at in our last interview, Luke has at last applied his gift for archways and grandeur to Moroccan architecture. It’s an incredible diorama that impresses in both scale and detail.

Most striking is the color, as Luke moves from his usual greys into brick yellow, white, and azure. Classic tiling and SNOT techniques form intricate mosaics on both the walls and the courtyard floor.

Water has featured prominently in most of Luke’s large builds, and that continues here with the courtyard featuring a central fountain and channels of crystal clear water.

Windows and arches feature prominently in all of Luke’s castles and cathedrals, and here the builder gets to explore new shapes and techniques. The 8×14 lattice in white works beautifully as mahrabiya window screens.

A palace this resplendent needs guests to appreciate its amenities, and Luke delivers with a mix of excellent minifig designs. This fellow by the water pipe keeps cool with a cape used as a keffiyeh.

Of course, no cathedralofbricks creation would be complete without lush foliage. For these ample vines, Luke incorporates antlers, snaking tubes, and literal snakes in green. Those towering palms are tall as sequoias!

I appreciate that the animal life sticks to vintage pirate monkeys and parrots. It lends the palace a timeless quality.

Perhaps my favorite detail in the build is this lamp design which instantly transports me back to Morocco where lamps like this still decorate the medinas.

Luke built this palace for the Brickscalibur competition’s “Arabian Knights” theme. The builder’s first foray into middle easter architeture is such a crowd-pleasing success, I hope he’ll return to the desert soon!