Category Archives: Models

This is what we’re all about. We scour the web for the best custom LEGO models to share with you. From castles and spaceships to planes, trains, and automobiles, you’ll find the best LEGO creations from builders all over the world right here on The Brothers Brick.

Wrapping this gift could be a little tricky

The end-of-year holidays are upon us. Some find gift giving a slog or a source of anxiety, but Patrick Biggs rose to the challenge with The Karrax’ Fang. This Secret Santa build is both a gift for and inspired by the works of TolerantAxe97. This insectoid mech has great articulation, a really slick hand design, and the ever-creepy Technic-gears-for-teeth technique. I also like the Technic spacers used for the eyes and the impressive horns. I think I’d be thrilled to see this under my tree…as long as it wasn’t moving on its own or something.

Looking for more mechanical goodness? Browse our other featured mech builds!

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The office building that looks like an office copier

LEGO builder Milan Sekiz tells us that this is their first attempt at Brutalist architecture. I’ve seen plenty of Brutalist architecture in person, plus I’ve taken a few architecture courses in college so I know a bit about the subject but let’s consult Google as to what they say about it. Brutalism is generally characterized by its rough, unfinished surfaces (check!), unusual shapes,(check!) heavy-looking materials,(check!) straight lines,(check!) and small windows (yes!). It seems by all accounts, Milan has achieved Brutalism. I like the very orderly gardens flanking the building and the vines creeping up the middle of it are a nice touch. It adds a bit of warm nature to this otherwise cold and imposing structure. I can’t help thinking that it looks a bit like an office copier, or better yet, someone’s inbox that is chock full of…Brutalism. OK, I’ll admit that I probably should have thought that analogy through. But do you have a better one?

While you’re thinking that over, go ahead and check out the other stuff Milan Sekiz has built and while you’re at it take a look at our Architecture archives including some very neat Brutalist designs.

Nature can be beautiful but also scary

Based on shelled animals such as mollusks, Martin Vala has created this complex build. The model has a carefully structured shell that twists around, forming swirling patterns. Ball joints and sockets have been used to portray this formation with smooth angled pieces representing the rounded parts of the shell.

The top-down view lets you really appreciate the shaping of the model. The shadowy tentacles at the front make it all the more terrifying as they splay out in various directions with a small, haunting mouth at the centre. Hopefully, this creature’s personality doesn’t match its appearance.

From Hogwarts to the University of Cambricks, an alternate build for 71043 Hogwarts Castle

Alternate builds for LEGO sets have long been part of the fun. When I was a kid, I remember loving to see the variants featured on the back of the box. As a young fan of LEGO, it inspired me to look at that box of bricks in a different light — to try my hand at my own alternates. Twenty years later, I can count myself amongst a crowd of LEGO fans devoted to alternate builds. Though you can find all sizes of re-imagined sets, few are as ambitions as builder Lucas Bolt and his Modular variant of the microscale 71043 Hogwarts Castle. Inspired by the magic school aspect, Lucas created the University of Cambricks to fit perfectly on the corner of a LEGO Modular city street.

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The Temple of Technology demands your time

This kinetic LEGO structure by Sheo has presented a rare instance in which I’d rather not flap my piehole about it and allow the creation to speak for itself. It’s called the Temple of Technology and is part of a series of modular buildings Sheo has constructed.

I can assure you the magic of this creation is best seen in motion so be sure to watch the video. That use of the clock hands is just brilliant!

Bröther, may I have some L-00-P5

Sometimes you see a few interesting LEGO pieces want want to build something from them. We do it all the time. So do official LEGO designers like Chris Perron. While the old big basketball hoops may be the standout pieces on this mech titled L-00-P5, Chris based his build around the triangular vehicle tipper end.

The tipper end parts are at the top of the mech, and those allow the front and rear paneling to be attached at an angle. This gives this brightly coloured mech an aggressive feel that its armaments – a big gun and a small knife – enhance. But it is really the legs that drew me in. The orange and white colour scheme become scarce as the dark grey mechanical bits are exposed. Chris assembled the feet with subtle greebling which allow full articulation.

Check out more of Chris Perron’s! builds here.

This triple changing Transformer is off the rails and out of this world.

If you were into Transformers as a kid in the early 80s, there are a few characters that probably stand out in your mind, even if you haven’t stayed current with the franchise. Optimus Prime, obviously. Soundwave, the cassette player with a chest full of evil minions. And probably right up there with those two is Astrotrain – the evil Decepticon triple changer that turned into, well, a space shuttle and a locomotive. Alan Yap certainly remembers Astrotrain. In fact, he spent two years constructing a fully transformable LEGO version of the character.

Click here to take a ride on the space train…

Little big horns for your Krampus

The new LEGO x Target collection has delivered some remarkably fun pieces. The Snow Character kit, ostensibly for building a snowman, includes human-sized versions of a handful of elements, and fans are already taking advantage of them in unique ways. This build by Blair Archer incorporates the giant-sized horns to create a Krampus head just in time for Christmas. The glow in the dark eyes round out the build giving it an otherworldly glow. Hope you haven’t been naughty this year!

If you’re interested in the LEGO x Target collection big pieces, be sure to check out Tom Alphin’s excellent review over at Brick Architect.

Keep on logging, Mr. Spijkhoven

Some legends just keep on trucking. This LEGO creation by LegoMathijs is a model of a KrAZ-255, a rough and tumble off-road truck that was in production from 1967 to 1994. That real-life inspiration alone is enough to call this build legendary and with excellent detailing and suitably rugged terrain, that would be an apt moniker for it. But this model is also inspired by Ingmar Spijkhoven. More than a year after his passing, other builders are still finding inspiration from the pivotal truck builder. It just goes to show that some legends never die, really. I’m smitten and I think Ingmar would be too.

This Wondering Peacock takes flight

Smooth triangular shape. Two-pronged front. Complex building techniques that form immaculate angles. The perfect balance of smooth surfaces and just enough greebling. And really big guns. This Wondering Peacock must be the work of LEGO space expert Tim Goddard. And it certainly is the centre of attention.

The co-author of LEGO Space: Building the Future once again delivers a spaceship that is a feast for the eyes both aesthetically and technically. The white, blue, and medium azure colour combination makes an icy look for this sleek racing craft, but at the same time its shaping exudes a certain tropical warmth. The combination of angled and round section bring a balance that is integral to really good spaceship designs. Tim takes that balance further with sleek hull and exposed greebling of the internals and other mechanical sections. The big grey cannons are the icing on the cake, and despite standing out, they do not look out of place.

A look on the underside reveals these elements in more details. We can just stare in awe at the masterful build.
Check out more of Tim’s creations here!

Thomas the Tank Engine cheerfully chugs along

The popular steam engine has been brought to life in this clever build. However, many find Thomas the Tank Engine creepy, possibly due to his strange humanoid face. I’m sure we can all still appreciate the interesting techniques employed by Vakaisme in this model. At the front, the bumpers are represented by cap pieces and moving to the face, sausage pieces portray Thomas’ eyebrows. Tires have been used as segments of the steam chimney. The “1” symbol is cleverly wedged into place through placing bricks sideways. The playful build is instantly recognisable with its bright colours and accurate portrayal.

LEGO Orko has me under his spell

I may be revealing my age but I remember getting up early for Saturday morning cartoons powered by a big bowl of sugar cereal, watching Masters of the Universe, Thundercats, and Johnny Quest (not at the same time, I’m sure). And I instantly recognized Orko even if I didn’t remember his name, or that he was a Trollan sorcerer, the last of his species. Maybe I’m also remembering the black mage from the Final Fantasy franchise… anyway, this model by Alex Jones is a perfect likeness, and I must say, fantastic use of the hands from Bigfig Sandy from the Monkie Kid theme. The hat is made from separate segments joined around his bright azure ears.