Category Archives: LEGO

You’d probably expect a lot of the posts on a LEGO website like The Brothers Brick to be about LEGO, and you’d be right. If you’re browsing this page, you might want to consider narrowing what you’re looking for by checking out categories like “Space” and “Castle.” We’re sure there’s something here that’ll fascinate and amaze you.

Theo Jansen’s Rhinoceros Strandbeest on LEGO CUUSOO

Artist/engineer Theo Jansen has been creating fantastic “kinetic sculptures” for more than 20 years. I was mesmerized the first time I saw a video of the Rhinoceros Strandbeest in motion several years ago. Now, Dutch industrial designer kvanb has created a working LEGO version of the Rhino and posted it — with Theo Jansen’s blessing — on LEGO CUUSOO.

Those familiar with the original sculpture will certainly be impressed by the likeness, but I literally gasped (to my wife’s surprise and alarm) when I saw the LEGO model walking in this video, shown here with Theo in his workshop:

Here’s Theo Jansen’s original Rhino, for comparison:

I would love to see this turned into a real LEGO set. I hope that approximately 10,000 of you out there will agree with me.

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Super Żubr A80

This Żubr A80 truck by Karwik will be going in my ‘clever techniques’ folder. Especially the use of the new arch for the front wheel and that beautiful texture in the wagon. And let’s not forget the bucket.

Viddy this: Alex & his three droogs

While I haven’t been able to spend a whole lot of time online the last couple months, I’ve managed to squeeze in an occasional build or two.

For weeks, I’ve been feeling a bit blocked on new ideas, but finally found a combination of color (orange with dark gray accents) and shape (rather bulbous) that I liked, inspired by the design of the little vehicle on the right. One baseball game later, I had a nicely swooshable gunship in my hands, followed by a couple tiny drones.

Will you think me strange if I admit that I hadn’t decided whether this was a large-ish microscale ship with supporting micro-vessels or a mid-size gunship with drones by the time I was ready to upload the photo? I’m actually still not sure…

Seoul’s Sungnyemun gets the LEGO Architecture treatment [News]

I had the privilege of visiting Korea three times while growing up in Japan, but unfortunately I was too young to remember much. Which is a shame, because I would love to have seen the Sungnyemun, or “Gate of Exalted Ceremonies,” in Seoul. LEGO recently announced that this gorgeous structure — sadly destroyed by fire in 2008 — will be released on June 1st as part of the LEGO Architecture series.

LEGO Architecture Sungnyemun

Here’s the full press release:

Sungnyemun has stood in the heart of South Korean capital since 1398 as one of the most complete examples of Joseon Dynasty architecture. It is listed as the country’s foremost National Treasure.

“Sungnyemun survives as a symbolic marker of a lost place in time,” says the architect and designer of many of the LEGO models Adam Reed Tucker. In capturing the essence of Sungnyemun in LEGO bricks Adam looked at the aesthetics rather than engineering, especially the use of colours, patterns and materials that define the ‘spiritual DNA’ of a culture.

Construction of Sungnyemun started in 1396 and was completed two years later. Further alterations and renovations continued over the next 600 years. In 2008 the wooden structure was completely destroyed by fire and it is expected that the restoration – using traditional hand tools – will be complete at the end of 2012.

LEGO Architecture products feature well-known buildings, and the work of important architects. Aimed at inspiring future architects, engineers , designers and architecture fans around the world, the range contains a booklet featuring step-by-step building instructions prefaced by history, information and photographs of each iconic building, its design origin, its architect and its architectural features.

The LEGO 21016 Sungnyemun will be launched officially at the Danish Pavilion during the EXPO 2012 exhibition held in Yeosu, South Korea. It will be available for purchase from June 1 in LEGO brand retail stores, LEGOLAND Stores and online at http://shop.lego.com/. The product is designed for ages 12+ and includes a booklet with facts and history about Sungnyemun. Recommended retail price is $34.99 in the US and €34.99 in most European countries.

Arms and armor of the United Earth Federation

FateHeart has been churning out new mecha with such regularity that I’m beginning to suspect he has a secret assembly line (or sweat shop) in his LEGO space. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite, so I’ll go with one he’s overhauled several times, with marked improvements with each iteration.

I’ve been bookmarking his mecha for months, but I’m shocked and ashamed to realize that Dan was the first to actually blog him just over a year ago. To fix what we’ve missed since then, here are a few more of my favorite mecha by FateHeart:

In the Feasting Hall of Greng

Jordan (AK_Brickster) packs a wealth of wonderful details in this LEGO Castle diorama.

You can see the details best in this close-up, which showcases the melting candle, hunting trophy, and stained glass window.

If you live in the Seattle area like I do, you can see this diorama in person at the LEGO Store in Bellevue, where it will be on display for the next month or so to highlight creations from members of SEALUG.

Mladen’s Discus Tank

Mladen Pejic is one of the granddaddies of mecha builders, having works that date back to 2000. He seldom builds now, but it’s a treat when he does.

Tan Man

Many mecha builders avoid using large rectangular surfaces on their creations, but Aaron (m_o_n_k_e_y) purposely approached this style, drawing on inspiration from a concept art. The interesting and asymmetrical colors and the right balance of greebles are also essential characteristics of this build.

Thanks for the tip _Tiler!

World War Brick

From June 15-17 in Wheeling, IL, there will be a show by custom military vendors including Brickmania and BrickArms. In addition they will be displaying some models and exclusives. Click on the flyer below for the full details.

Baby minifigs!

If you’ve ever wondered where baby minifigs come from, Citizen Brick is the answer!

LEGO Lord of the Rings out + free Hulk minifig & new Kingdoms chess set [News]

The third-quarter LEGO sets are now officially out, led by both the new LEGO Lord of the Rings and Marvel Super Heroes sets. If you buy $50 from the LEGO Shop between now and the end of the month, you’ll get an exclusive Hulk minifig that’s not available in any set, for free. And you’ll get the original Frodo minifig movie poster with any LEGO LOTR order.

Having *ahem* cheated and picked up some of these sets at a local brick-and-mortar store on Sunday, I can attest to the awesomeness of a tiny Gandalf and even tinier Frodo — with suspenders! — in 9469 Gandalf Arrives.

Here’s the list of all LEGO LOTR sets that are out now:

9469 Gandalf Arrives: Comes with Gandalf, Frodo Baggins, and one of the new horses Chris covered in his review of 9471 Uruk-hai Army.
9470 Shelob Attacks: Includes Frodo, Samwise Gamgee, the One Ring, and Gollum.
9471 Uruk-hai Army: With Eomer, Rohirrim archer, four Uruk-hai, and a new horse.
9472 Attack on Weathertop: Has Aragorn, Frodo, Meriadoc Brandybuck, two Ringwraiths, and two of the new horses in black.
9473 The Mines of Moria: I picked this one up locally too, and it’s a pretty fun build that has lots of play features and cool minifigs — Legolas (resulting in the inevitable puns while I built the set, followed by swooning from my wife), Gimli, Boromir, Peregrin Took, two orcs/goblins, and a very large cave troll.
9474 The Battle of Helm’s Deep: The largest set in the theme at $130 and over 1,300 parts, this set comes with Aragorn, Gimli, Haldir, King Théoden, and four Uruk-hai (including the torch-wielding berserker).
9476 The Orc Forge: This set is exclusive to one of the big-box retailers if you don’t get it directly from LEGO, and has Lurtz, two orcs/goblins, and another Uruk-hai.

Here’s a closer look at Helm’s Deep:

Finally, just when you thought the current LEGO Castle theme was (mostly) dead, LEGO has just released a new 853373 LEGO Kingdoms Chess Set.

Main Hulk minifig offer link for US readers:

For our Canadian readers:

And for our UK readers:

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Nice day for a swim

Katie Walker (eilonwy77) is known for using unconventional building techniques to achieve beautiful artistic patterns and designs. Her Pool Party scene uses curves at almost all the major outlines of the model to set it apart from a traditional build. The techniques for the brick wall, trees, and pool deck are also worth noting.