Micro Master

Ben Smith had LEGO sets as a child and space was always his favorite theme. About ten years ago he came across the LEGO Factory set Star Justice (#10191) and started tinkering with it again; which snapped him out of his Dark Age. For Ben, the big eureka moment, however, was when he discovered the LEGO Digital Designer (LDD) software. He had hardly any parts in his collection and his daughter had just been born, so it was really, really hard to find time and space to build. With LDD, Ben could fire up the computer and build for ten minutes without needing to get anything out or put away; he was also travelling a bit, so he could build in hotel rooms or even on trains! Now he continues to build almost entirely digitally, ordering parts off Bricklink to assemble the model when it’s complete; although he’s discovered it helps to build test models anytime you try and do anything with motors or moving parts! One of Ben’s latest creations is a huge build of a spaceship named the Ark. With the help of a couple of other builders, he created a spaceship that not only is internally lit, but also has a rotating section. BrickJournal talked to him about the model.

BrickJournal: What was the inspiration for the Ark?

Ben Smith: I had built a bunch of models with LED lighting in them, which I displayed at a LEGO show in the UK: the Great Western Brick Show in Swindon, in 2018. My display was next to another builder who had a model that was motorized, and I realized how the public were really drawn to anything that moved. So when I got back I decided to try and build something that had motors in it and had some element of movement. I only build spaceships and sci-fi stuff; so the obvious expression of that idea for me was the sci-fi staple of a ship with a rotating centrifuge to generate artificial gravity for the crew on board.

How did you begin the project?

I have a background in 3-D design and for my last few projects I’ve used this to rough out the model before I do any LEGO building at all. For the Ark, I built a really rough 3-D model on the computer to figure out the overall shape and how big the wheel would have to be to include the kind of details I envisioned. It very quickly became obvious this would be a pretty big model, and I decided to use a technique I’d been aware of for a little while: I would use a frame made of 16mm square steel to support it. I’m really glad I did this—I honestly don’t think it would have been possible to build a LEGO frame that could hold up the weight of the wheel safely, and allow enough room inside for the motors.

The rough 3-D model used to design the Ark.

Building

A collection of Tim Goddard’s robots.

Tim Goddard: Displaying like a Master!

Article and Photography by Tim Goddard

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Tim Goddard is a builder that has been on the Space scene for decades. His models have been seen online, in magazines and even in his own book. BrickJournal talked to him about his builds and building.

BrickJournal: First, tell us about yourself.

Tim Goddard: I am 43 years old and an analytical chemistry laboratory manager located just west of London in the UK. Currently we are a very small part of the supply chain for several Covid-19 vaccines; it is great to know that we are making a tiny contribution to getting things back to something like normal; roll on the first post-virus LEGO convention!

There is nothing in my background other than a lifetime of LEGO building that has led me to do what I currently do with the plastic bricks. Building is my only artistic outlet, so that is probably why I have persisted with it through my childhood and into adult life. I brought sets from many LEGO themes as a kid, but Space was always the main one. When I was young, I created my own little universe based around LEGO space themes; each faction such as Futuron, Space Police and M:Tron had their own baseplate or two, which were connected using the venerable LEGO Monorail. The even had a council room where a representative of each theme would get together to discuss the latest Blacktron threat. I guess I still build in that universe today—it even became a published book! LEGO Space: Building the Future came about after I created a chapter in the DK LEGO Ideas book. From that, an independent publisher contacted me and along with my mate Peter Reid (Creator of the LEGO Ideas

Exo-suit) and some other friends, we created a story/art book based on our childhood fantasies! Many have said it is the best book ever printed. :-) This hobby has led me on some other exciting adventures. I have had models displayed in the LEGO house in its opening year, and I have contributed to several books and magazines. I worked with LEGO by invitation in Billund on a three-day workshop to help develop what would become The Legends of Chima line, along with some other AFOLs; that was great fun. I got to see behind the scenes of product development and was encouraged to spray and even break LEGO bricks, so we were not restricted to just thinking about parts currently available! I only really had a Grey Age as the quality of LEGO sets declined in the late 1990s and I became interested in other things. I think it was the introduction of Star Wars LEGO that prevented full darkness, and a few years after that I discovered the AFOL scene and the public displays that were put on—I wanted to be a part of that! It is great fun displaying at conventions; you get to hang out with like-minded people for a weekend, as well as talk with amazed members of the public as you explain for the hundredth time that, “This model is something I have created, it is not a set, and no I do not work for LEGO.” It is really the conventions, as well as sharing my work online, that keep me building my own creations and striving to get a little bit better with every model.

What are the inspirations behind your builds?

The LEGO community is a constant source of inspiration; every day a new wondrous creation appears that can not help but inspire. The constant stream of amazing models

Tim’s version of the Galactic Explorer.

An Aquazone layout by Tim.

Tim’s Zycon IV.

can be a little intimidating, the quality just keeps on getting better and better, but it does push me to put a little bit extra into every build I do. I am involved in a few LUGs such as Brickish, New Elementary and the LondonAFOLs. In normal times we LondonAFOLs meet up once a month in a pub to build and talk over all things LEGO. You can not help but leave full of ideas.

As well as building in old LEGO Space themes, I also enjoy dipping my toe in the Star Wars universe—the designs are just so good (Doug Chaing is my hero)! With Star Wars, I tend to create more micro-scale builds rather than minifigure-scale creations, as I find them more satisfying. Making loads of tiny ships appeals to the world builder in me.

Star Wars can be restrictive as I create versions of vehicles that already exist (in a fictional sense), but LEGO Space themes can be pushed in any direction you like, so inspiration can be taken from anywhere: computer games, concept art, any sci-fi franchise really. Warhammer is a great property for an industrial look that I have looked at recently.

Building

Dang’s row of facades.

Hoang Dang: Building Facades and More!

Article and Photography by Hoang Dang

Growing up in the early 1990s, Hoang Dang was exposed to what he considered one of the greatest eras of LEGO. Sets under the System line-up surely made an impact on both his childhood, adulthood, as well as his career choices. Now in his thirties, Hoang has become a skilled LEGO builder, and reflects on how LEGO has been such a large part of his life.

Hoang Dang: LEGO helped shape me as a professional. As a transportation designer/industrial designer, I have worked on projects ranging from cars and electric scooters to audio amplifiers. At the end of the day, what I do is very much related to my LEGO work: creating things. If my childhood isn’t counted, I started working on builds of my own in 2006. Back then, I made a bunch of house designs in LEGO Digital Designer, a LEGO building program. Those files were lost, and since then I have moved on to several more themes like spaceships, medieval buildings, boats, and cars. Still, it’s fun for me to realize that my building has gone full circle as my latest works are buildings again, especially the facades. I guess I’ve always been attracted to buildings and architecture. I got into building as an adult because of the direct similarity between my work and LEGO building. Sometimes, I use LEGO as a method to clear my mind and allow myself to be creative. My favorite theme to collect and build as sets are Creator sets, for sure. I was significantly impressed by the Land Busters set (#4404) that came out in 2003. That set may have single-handily kept me interested in LEGO through dark times. My favorite theme to part out is Friends! I love the colors, the new parts, and the art direction they are doing now. In my opinion, the Friends theme has been the most innovative theme in recent decades.

That said, I would say I always prefer building my own creations. As much as I love to collect sets (and believe me when I say it, I have about 2000+ new sealed sets in storage), I always feel the urge to mix them all up and build something new. My inspirations mainly come from my personal background. Growing up in Vietnam during the economic boom, I was exposed to a mixture of cultures— Eastern values versus Western innovations, traditions versus contemporary. I think the ’90s was the time when Vietnamese of all ages were able to see the world in a more saturated lens, and there was so much to take in. I want my works to reflect that.

Vietnam Facade Collection No. 1. Hoang got noticed online when he began posting a series of facades based on Vietnamese Architecture. Here, he talks about the inspiration behind what has become the Vietnam Facade Collection.

When it comes to the Vietnam Facade Collection, of course my direct inspirations are the actual places I have been to. Each of those builds represents a significant memory I have. Having said that, I try not to build exactly like my reference materials. I believe art works have a significant value if they can capture the general feeling of a place. I focus more on expressing my personal impression of the places, rather than trying to make a direct physical copy of them. So let’s take a quick walk through all of them! I have completed four pieces so far.

Vietnam Facade Collection no. 1

is a french-built mansion back in the colonial times: a remarkable identifier of Hanoi. If you have a chance to visit the city, you will find these hidden relics all over the city. However, they also show a new side of Hanoi. Throughout the years, many generations have lived there and they changed their house as they see fit. You can see that at the door and windows. The metalwork represented by the light bluish gray flex hoses and bars were trendy designs back in the ’90s. Most families had those installed at their houses. One other unique feature is the new colorful tiles that indicate that this family has fixed up their interior to suit their style.

A look at the back of the model.