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.

Crush the budding rebellion from within the Imperial Security Bureau

The Imperial Security Bureau scenes are easily some of the best in both seasons of Andor as we get to see how petty and cunning the Empire’s most ruthless officers can be. Some even say that the ISB is the shadow government undermining the Emperor’s good intentions. Jonah Frost converts the ISB briefing room into LEGO and this brightly-lit set for shadowy dealings has never looked better. The standout technique is the irregular wall textures made from cheese slopes at every orientation. The doorway with the Imperial logo also looks great. It’s a perfect backdrop for the new Dedra Meero minifig to stand and sneer. Maybe Major Partagaz can even muster up some kind words for everyone’s favorite spider-counter.

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LEGO droid TIE fighter swoops straight out of legend

Many Star Wars characters, vehicles, and fighters were relegated to “legends” status after the purchase of the franchise by Disney in 2012. But that hasn’t stopped fans of the wider universe from building their favorites in LEGO, like Thomas Jenkins who has created a stellar reproduction of the TIE/D or TIE Droid fighter, a fully automnomous fighter from the reborn Emperor’s shiny new fleet. The long tuning fork prongs attached to the small orb give off major Magnamite vibes.

The scale is deceptive. Look closely at the red dots on either side of the central bar, those are minifig roller skates!

The Force is strong with these miniaturized Star Wars vehicles

There has been an Awakening in the Star Wars building scene. John (J.R. Snotly Builds), an AFOL from Utah, just started sharing their LEGO creations a few weeks ago, and already they’re a force to be reckoned with. The builder’s style is based on embracing minifig scale while preserving maximum detail. That means Star Wars vehicles that are decidedly smaller than most official sets, but look perfectly proportioned next to a minifig. This Snowspeeder is barely 12 studs long and can still seat 2!

By working at this scale, John makes ships that we’ve seen in LEGO hundreds of times feel fresh again, using surprising parts and connections to solve familiar build challenges in new ways. Take, for example, the engine cones on this N-1 Starfigher made from Castle helmets!

Purists might note that the windscreen used on the A-Wing and N-1 isn’t a LEGO part, as the builder found that the WANGE windscreen was better for keeping a minifig pilot enclosed at this scale. John also has a version with a LEGO alternative.

What an exciting debut, and perfectly timed for Star Wars Day.

This floating diner probably has great noodles

When you think of floating islands, fantasy scenes may be what comes to mind, but I like the look of this tiny shop by sukhodolov_nikita, complete with some questionable utility pipes and wires. I also love the small cat looking for a snack of its own. Props for the use of an alien chef from the 2012-2013 Galaxy Squad theme.

Take a trip through the LEGO looking glass for two very different spins on Alice

When LEGO introduced a new scale of buildable figures for characters like Wednesday Addams, the sets introduced interchangeable printed faces with big eyes. As builder lavishlump points out, these faces are quite similar to the ones used for the popular Japanese Nendororoid figures and work great for LEGO anime characters too. Lavishlump used the Glinda face for a model of Alice Margatroid, a magical puppeteer from a Japanese PC game.

LegoWyrm uses the same techniques for a very different video game Alice – the heroine of American McGee’s Alice. Wednesday’s goth expression is a perfect match for this dark spin on Wonderland.

Time will tell if LEGO continues to release buildable figures at this scale and expand the face options for anime fans, but for now it’s great to see a specialized part spur creativity in the community.

Take a trip to Kyoto for a postcard perfect build of the Golden Pavilion in LEGO

Kinkaku-ji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, is a jewel of Kyoto with a storied history. It burned down several times since the site became a Zen Buddhist temple in 1399, most recently in 1950, but it was always rebuilt with its top stories covered in gold leaf. Now it’s been rebuilt in LEGO as well, courtesy of Lasse Vestergård. Unlike the original, Lasse’s version isn’t just gilded but uses pearl gold bricks. With a limited range of elements in that color, the builder had to find creative solutions and work with small 1×1 and 1×2 plates to build the large structure. (Lasse has some experience with golden temples!) The temple looks incredible as it sits at an angle on a placid lake surrounded by gardens. I appreciate the brick-built hills in the distance, keeping every element on screen made from LEGO.

This isn’t the first time we’ve featured a MOC of Kinkaku-ji. 18 years ago we presented a version by Japanese LEGO legend Jumpei Mitsui.

It’s time to bring back the UCS Star Wars Tantive IV

I was just telling anyone who would listen (friends, neighbors, courtroom judge) that it’s been awhile since LEGO produced a (wicked huge) UCS Tantive IV. Then LEGO Star Wars builder Mr. Idler comes along and fills the Tantive IV-shaped hole in our hearts with this amazing new creation. He nails the odd 11-engined corvette with perfect shaping and some rather clever build techniques. We all love Minifigures and I applaud LEGO for including them in their 2009 and 2019 sets but they’re rather improperly-scaled when posed next to the ship. Mr. Idler takes care of that with Leia, C-3PO and R2-D2 microfigures that seem just about the right size for this model.

Doubling down on Friends to make a sweet modular candy shop

The Heartlake City Candy Store is a sweet addition to the LEGO Friends line built from bubblegum colors and packed with fun printed elements and sporting adorable mascots. But while it’s a good value for a playset, the shop is only a facade. Builder Suzies_bricks was inspired to give it a major upgrade to integrate into her Suzieville city of colorful custom modulars. Combining two copies of the Friends set and a whole lot more pieces, Suzie added an en extra story and adapted the interior to be minfig-friendly. Speaking of, Suzie assembled the most colorful characters possible to try out the new sweets. The building stretched Suzie’s supply of dark azure elements to the limit (nice assist from Ninjago City Gardens with that lovely pointed arch).

The best part of this sweet shop? There’s a slide into the ball pit that loops outside the building, a feature sorely lacking in LEGO’s official modular sets.

Pull up a seat and apprecaite this next-level LEGO furniture [Building Techniques]

LEGO modular interior decor can be pretty cozy, but this next-level furniture setup by Oshi Builds could be straight out of a high-end design catalog. The builder employs a mix of familiar and new techniques while drawing on a very on-trend color palette to make a move-in-ready living room ensemble. Just look at those bowl chairs, formed from flower petals, and that console with bucket handles tucked away and slim legs held in place by rubber band. The only drawback to the room is there’s not much space for displaying one’s LEGO collection. We’re going to need a few more of those wonderful bookshelves.

A Schwimmwagen The Central Scrutinizer would approve of

LEGO builder Martin Spunkt presents a satisfying amphibious Volkswagen Schwimmwagen. It’s rugged features, heightened stance and oars assures us that this little beast can do some serious off-off-off roading right into the water. It’s a far better ride to haul band equipment around than the ’54 with a mashed-up door. He situates the vehicle in a grungy garage setting; a white zone, so to speak, which I presume is for loading and unloading only. My question: Is Martin even aware of the Frank Zappa reference staring us right in the face? Sound off in the comments if you’re in the know.

We’re howling with praise for this LEGO model of Studio Ghibli’s iconic Moving Castle

Studio Ghibli films are known for unusual and fanciful vehicles like the floating castle of Laputa from Castle in the Sky, or the glider from Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, but few vehicles are more iconic than the walking, and at the end of the film, flying, castle belonging to the enigmatic magician Howl. The enchanted structure made from buildings, round cannon turrets, fishlike fins, and a large rusty face complete with riveted tongue, all walking along on four spindly chicken legs, poses many challenges to any builder, but Sakiya Watanabe works magic and brings it to life in bricks like never before.

When building something so iconic, choosing the right parts can be challenging, as there is nothing conventional about the outer surface of the castle. How do you form a cohesive model out of such a chaotic inspiration? (I’ve tried myself once before – it wasn’t easy!)

Read on to learn how Sakiya Watanabe weaved his LEGO magic and tamed Howl’s famous castle

Light and shadow play in this jungle temple where crystal water flows

Over the last year, generative AI images based on LEGO prompts have unleashed countless colorful images of jungles, ruins, and temples that lack the grace of a designer’s hand but sometimes hint at what could be built. It was images like those that prompted Syrdarian to build a jungle temple in real bricks, complete with the bright colors and flowing water that’s so appealing. I’m impressed by how well the mix of tan, peach, and orange shades blends together, and how two shades of azure blue works better than one. The scene suggests the play of light and shadow. The stonework is nicely accented by subtle details, like the wooden scaffolding and a lone duck peeking out from the corner. Syrdarian’s model makes a good case that while AI slop will never replace the work of a master builder, it can still inspire.