Tag Archives: Malaysia

Nanyang heritage and Petaling Street: One builder’s journey to connect with the past through LEGO [Feature]

As a child growing up in a small town, LEGO made my world so much bigger. I could imagine life in space, the Middle Ages, or big cities because the act of building with bricks made history, science, and far-off places real. But it wasn’t until years later, thanks to communities like Brickshelf and sites like this one, that I came to understand how universal my experience was. One of my great joys in writing for this site has been the chance to learn from and be inspired by creations shared by talented builders around the world.

Builders like Vooi Loon Low, a Chinese Malaysian AFOL living in Kuala Lumpur.

1950s Kuala Lumpur Petaling Street.

A few years ago, Loon started sharing LEGO models of shops on Petaling Street, the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s historic Chinatown. Specifically, he’s been recreating the shops as they would have appeared in the 1950s. These buildings, sometimes paired with black and white photos, are the only LEGO models Loon has shared. I wanted to know more about Loon’s motivations for this very specific and long-running project. When I reached out, Loon was kind enough to share his story. 

Read on to hear Loon’s story and see more of his builds of historic Petaling Street

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Whisk us away to the world of Malay

Sometimes a builder waits years for just the right LEGO pieces and colors to come out. That’s exactly what Vincent Kiew did in planning this lovely Kampung House. It took a while for LEGO to produce just the right pieces in dark brown and reddish-brown. The colors are alternated nicely here to replicate the indigenous craftsmanship used in these traditional dwellings. The stilts, shutters, even the intricate roof are all spot on. The chickens, the cat, the cow, even the cart full of vegetables help convey a feeling of relaxation and tranquility. I imagine the home would offer a cool reprise from the Malaysian heat. Vincent tells us this creation was based on a particular village house on Penang island. He also states that being a city-dweller growing up in Kuala Lumpur, he has not had the chance to stay in a Kampung House but his wife had when she was a child. She shared stories of her childhood with him as he worked on this project.

Kampung House.

This photo gives us a better glimpse of Vincent’s attention to detail. I’m loving the shutters, woodpile, as well as chickens languishing in the shade.

Kampung House.

Vincent closes out his write-up with a question; “does this creation remind you of your sweet childhood, too?” I imagine for our readers from the Malay Peninsula it might. As I was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, it doesn’t. In order to envision my childhood, you’d have to imagine cramped three-story walk-up apartments and simple Shaker-style New England homes. But still, we deeply appreciate you sharing your architectural sentiments from your part of the world.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.

Iconic buildings from the heart of Malaysia

When LEGO released their new Skyline Architecture series, it was inevitable that we started seeing LEGO builders take the diminutive buildings to heart and begin creating skylines closer to their own homeland that LEGO missed in their official sets. This build of three iconic buildings in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia expresses the love that Ng Wen Yeh has for his country. These are great, iconic buildings that highlight a spectacular, multicultural and multi-racial city.

Architectural: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The left-most building, Sultan Abdul Samad Building was built in the 19th century and today houses the Information, Communications and Culture ministry. If we step back in time, it was once the home to various key departments during the British administration.

In the middle we have the Petronas Towers, sometimes referred to as the Twin Towers of Malaysia, which was once the tallest buildings in the world from 1998 until 2004.

On the far right, we have the 7th tallest communications tower in the world, simply named the KL Tower which broadcasts free to air radio and TV channels.

The Brothers Brick is funded by our readers and the community. Articles may include affiliate links, and when you purchase products from those links, TBB may earn a commission that helps support the site.