Tag Archives: Gregory Coquelz

The eyes tell the story

Disney content has provided inspiration for LEGO builds since time immemorial. Builder Gregory Coquelz has recreated the main characters from Disney Pixar CGI short film For the Birds using the brick, adding to this long tradition. The builder’s depiction of the big, overly-friendly bird in the center with big, bulging, and naïve eyes. They’re only looking to be included despite being quite the nuisance. Even if you’ve never seen the source material, you can sense the annoyance of the two smaller birds from their heavy side eye, ingeniously made from minifigure helmets. But just like in the cartoon, it’s probably best for everyone if the big bird doesn’t step off the wire.

3 is a crowd

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Miniature magic inspired by Disney Parks.

LEGO mini builds can surprisingly hold a great deal of detail in such a small package. Gregory Coquelz has created a series of mini-builds based on Disney theme park attractions. Here, we see the “Swiss Family Robinson” treehouse. Despite its minimal size, we can still appreciate the arboreal dwelling with its multiple structures, elaborate path, and a water wheel that I’m sure helps the family with everyday activities. As a frequent LEGO builder myself, I wonder if Gregory dealt with any ‘broken branches’ during this build, considering the amount of Dark Brown pieces used in the build. Surely this would look great next to LEGO’s current line of miniature Disney products, especially LEGO 40478: Mini Disney Castle.

Mini Swiss Robinson family treehouse

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Le voyage dans Hyperspace Mountain

You don’t have to travel to Billund for LEGO-themed thrill rides. Skip the queues and visit Gregory Coquelz‘s Disney park mini-builds instead! Space Mountain was the second of Disney’s E-ticket mountains and unique among roller coasters for its fully enclosed light-and-sound experience. Four of the Disney parks followed the original 1975 design of a retro-futuristic white cone, but for Disneyland Paris, the Imagineers took a different approach, taking inspiration from Jules Verne and remaking the ride with a steampunk veneer. Gregory pays tribute to this incarnation, with a tan and azure roof and the signiture barrel of the space gun up the side (true to the Jules Verne roots, this ride launched visitors into space via good old-fashioned ballistics). I love the use of interlocked domes in dark red for the loading shute. The Verne theme extends to a micro Nautilus moored next to the “Mountain.” Should you visit Disneyland Paris today, you’ll find the shell of the mountain largely the same, but inside your coaster is accompanied by projected X-Wing fighters and TIE Fighters as part of a Star Wars retheming.

Space Mountain 1

To see more Disney Parks mini builds, check out Gregory’s Tower of Terror and Big Smol Thunder Mountain.

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Space cahoots with King Kahuka

The idea of space pirates is nothing new. After all, even in space you’re not safe from marauding villains. But what if we delve into LEGO’s take on pirates, and add some space to that? Step forward, Gregory Coquelz! One of the more unique sub-themes of LEGO pirates was the Islanders from the mid-1990s, which is where Gregory’s spacey inspiration comes from. And although you might expect one of the ships to be turned into a spaceship, it’s in fact King Kahuka’s mask which gets the starship treatment! It’s a really fun and well-executed idea. The red cockpit bubbles for the eye-holes are especially neat.

Kahuka-1

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For a pair of LEGO Adventurers, the rivalry may never end

It’s only been 25 years since we were introduced to the Adventurers LEGO theme. And we can see how much Johnny Thunder and Sam Sinister have aged since then in this unique creation by Gregory Coquelz. The scale here is fantastic, providing a detailed look into the retired lives of these rivals, something that would be difficult to convey at minifigure-scale. Tiny details like Sam’s monocle and the bent brim of Johnny’s hat are brilliant bits of character creation. And I love the Easter eggs paying homage to past adventures like the Baron’s photo, the Anubis bust, and the T-rex head, each holding a revered spot above the mantle. Even the detail put into the board game makes it instantly recognizable as Monopoly. Good luck keeping that gem of a dessert out of Sam’s clutches, Johnny! I’m sure he cheated anyway.

No cake for Sam Sinister

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I am the future. The Tiberian Sun has risen!

Just like LEGO builder Gregory Coquelz, I was a huge fan of Commander & Conquer: Tiberian Sun when it debuted in 1999. So as soon as I saw this excellent pair of dioramas depicting GDI and Nod forces, I knew we had to feature them. First up is GDI with an iconic ore harvester sweeping through the fields of blue Tiberium Vinifera, accompanied by a Wolverine mech and a few soldiers. The diorama is simple, but it captures the bleak wastelands of the game. A blossom tree adds some interest (as well as a renewable source of Tiberium).

GDI - C&C Tiberian Sun

Of course, no C&C creation would be complete with the insane machinations of Nod, and so Gregory has also made an iconic scene with a Hand of Nod, along with a turret, buggy, and a few more soldiers. The broken road is a great touch, with the wedge plates fitting together perfectly to create the uneven edges. Continue reading →

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The classic side-eye

We have all known that person at some point. The one who says something and all you can do is silently give them that judging gaze. Sometimes they’re even a friend. And you love them, but man are they weird. This build by Gregory Coquelz, inspired by the writings of author China Miéville, perfectly captures that moment. Maybe it’s the slurping in the middle of a very serious Dungeons and Dragons quest. Whatever thought bubbles you give the scene, the characters and their outfits tell a great story.

Back to New Crobuzon

You can see more of Gregory’s work by visiting our archives.

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The very model of insanity

When considering the possible end of civilisation, it’s important to consider worst-case scenarios. However, I have to admit I’m baffled so many people appear to have decided the very worst thing that might happen in the coming weeks is that they run out of toilet paper. Gregory Coquelz appears to share my bemusement as he’s put together a LEGO version of an intrepid prepper — securing enough toilet rolls to see them through the coming sh__-storm (see what we did there?). Our heroic shopper has certainly stuffed his trolley to bursting point with the precious resource, although personally I might have grabbed at least a little food as well. Of course, the stockpiling of LEGO to get through any quarantine period would be a different matter entirely — an eminently sensible idea if you ask me.

LEGO coronavirus covid-19 toilet paper

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