It's double-trouble! We have a double interview today from Marcos Garavelli, a.k.a. Brickester. Marcos talks about both THE ART CENTRE and UNIVERSITY OF BRICKESTER, so for any fans of these ideas, buckle in and enjoy! Let us know which of these sets is your favourite!
ABOUT YOURSELF
- Where are you from?
I was born in Argentina but I’ve been living in Spain for the last 20 years.
- How old are you?
I’m 45 years young.
- What do you study or do for a living?
I’m a professional photographer.
- What hobbies do you have?
I love cinema, music and I’m also a big football fan. I’m interested in gardening and cooking, but I’m just a beginner in both. LEGO building is more than a hobby for me so that’s why I’m not including it in this list…
- Do you have a personal LEGO portfolio website that you can share with us?
I share my LEGO creations on my Instagram, my Facebook and my Flickr.
- How and when did your interest in LEGO products come about?
When I was a kid I used to love building new things with my LEGO bricks. I remember that I was always trying to build big cities in my room and most of the time I ran out of pieces. One day, as an adult with a stable job and living in another country, I went inside a toyshop by chance and when I saw the LEGO boxes on a shelf I felt again that old passion, so on impulse, I bought a LEGO set.
- What is your favourite official LEGO set ever? Why?
My favourite has always been the Green Grocer (10185). It was the first modular that I fell in love with and for me, something special emanates from it. It was an important step forward since it was there that interior details began to be incorporated. Thanks to that set, the series was consolidated and the others arrived. For me, personally, it was the set that changed everything; it meant a change in my priorities and the conviction that I want to be close to LEGO in one way or another every day.
- What is your favourite LEGO element? Why?
Part 4070, 1x1 angular brick (commonly known as ‘headlight’) is for me the best LEGO part ever. It has multiple options for bracket techniques and it is also a great part for offset techniques as it gives you the possibility of ‘breaking’ the 20 LDU width sequence of the regular bricks, reducing it to 16 LDU.
- Is there a LEGO designer (official LEGO designer or fan designer) who you are inspired by and look up to? Who and why?
When I think about LEGO designers, Jamie Berard is always in first place. His designs have influenced me and so many people so much and for so long that no amount of thanks is enough. Marcos Bessa has inspired me too. He has built many of the most incredible sets LEGO has released to date: The Ewok Village, the Ghostbusters Headquarters and the last Diagon Alley are some of the standout examples. I also admire the work of Justin Ramsden: his Spring Lantern Festival raised the level of beauty of the whole line; Milan Madge’s work in Pirates of Barracuda Bay was outstanding, and the last NASA Space Shuttle Discovery was great, too. Cesar Soares, who worked with treehouses before LEGO hired him, has done an incredible job adapting the Ideas Treehouse by Kevin Feeser.In the fan designer field, I admire Jonas Kramm’s work and love the style of Andrew Tate (Snaillad). Luca Petraglia, Rocco Buttliere, Michael Haas, Jessica Farrell, Alice Finch and Warren Elsmore blew my mind so many times with their builds. From the LEGO Ideas platform, I would like to mention again my friend Pablo Sánchez (Bricky_brick) and Rafael Ponce de León (Brick Dangerous). Pablo inspired me and so many fan designers here and outside this platform and Rafa is a brilliant designer and a great friend I’ve met in this platform. I’m also a big fan of Ralf Ranghaal, Andrea Lattanzio (Norton74) and Sandro Quattrini (Roses must build) their builds always amaze me all the time. And I would like to mention again Ivan Guerrero (bulldoozer), Vaggelis Ntezes (Delusion Brick), Truman (Legotruman), Maria Kalaoglou (Mind the Brick), Nick Lafreniere (NickLafreniere1) and Gab Kremo (GabKremo). It’s a pleasure to share all this experience with all of you, my friends!
- Is there one or more particular LEGO-related websites (not official LEGO websites) that you visit often and/or are inspired by?
Bricklink.com is always open on my desktop, for checks about existing parts, inventories of sets and piece availability. I regularly visit newelementary.com for news related to new parts and colours. Brickset.com is the reference guide for official LEGO sets. I also visit Eurobricks.com quite often, as well as its forums.
ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
- Where did your interest in this particular model come from?
The Art Centre
The whole world of art has always been very close to my family. My mother was an important Argentinian artist. Since I was a child I have visited countless museums, art fairs and galleries in various countries. The model is not a reference to any specific building, but rather includes details from and references to many industrial lofts common in New York and many American cities.
University of Brickester
As a member of a family of University teachers the idea of a LEGO set focused on an educational centre has crossed my mind since I started to build MOCs with my spare parts, many years ago. I have always been very interested in the way in which many of the historical buildings of these universities are expanded using a modern architectural style. This mix of styles creates a new outfit that I find very attractive.
- What special challenges did you face creating the model? What was the most difficult part to recreate?
The Art Centre
The folding design. You can display the model in two ways:
Fully opened which means a 64-studs wide build.
Closed, which means a 32x32 studs build that fits in any modular building's layout.
University of Brickester
I think the stained glass shapes were the most difficult part. I’ve used a symmetrical SNOT technique on it. - How long did it take to complete the model? Did you finish it fairly quickly, or did it take a long time? And how did the build time compare to the time you spent promoting your Product Idea to reach 10,000 supporters?
The Art Centre
6 weeks approximately.
University of Brickester
Almost a month. - How did it feel when you reached the magic 10,000 votes and how long did it take?
The Art Centre
It took about a year, and it was very special. I remembered many moments with my mother in different museums. This is a project I designed specially for her.University of Brickester
It took 2 months and a few days. It was completely a surprise for me, I didn’t feel completely sure about submitting this to Ideas. Finally, I decided to do it and the strong support received later exceeded my expectations.
- Approximately how many LEGO bricks did you use to create your model?
The Art Centre
2820.
University of Brickester
2920.
ABOUT LEGO IDEAS
- These are your 6th and 7th 10K projects. What’s the secret formula to your success?
I think there is no formula and if there was a formula I would prefer not to know it. I try to create constructions that I would like to have and that I can't find in the LEGO catalogue. If these creations have support, it's like a bonus for me. If they don't get enough support, I always have the pleasure of having built what I wanted.
- What is it about the platform that attracts you? What tips would you give to anyone who is thinking about uploading an idea?
Two things: Being ‘in touch’ with the company I have loved since I was a child, and the LEGO Ideas Community. When you submit a project it starts a wonderful period of interaction and feedback with people with shared interests, passions, doubts and concerns.
- Are you already planning further projects?
Yes, I am, but I feel uncomfortable anticipating things that may change during the design process. I like to keep the creative process of any project very secret (even from my family) until the release day of it…
- Which upcoming LEGO Ideas set are you looking most forward to?
The Motorised Lighthouse of Roses must build.
