LEGO Art in Motion—Ames Window Illusion

Welcome to a journey where the universal language of geometry meets the creative fun of LEGO!

On August 18th, 2021, my passion for LEGO was reignited by the LEGO NASA Apollo Saturn V set. Inspired by the creative projects in the LEGO Ideas community, I embarked on a unique challenge: to build the Ames window illusion with LEGO. The Ames window is a famous optical illusion where a trapezoidal window appears to oscillate back and forth, rather than rotate in full circles.

Motivated by a blend of art and engineering, my goals were twofold: to see if the window could be recreated with LEGO and to assess if it would effectively capture its intriguing effect.

Unlike the traditional Ames window, which is flat with empty panes, I filled the panes of my LEGO version to better hide the model’s added depth. These fillings share the same stripe pattern as the background panel, accentuating the illusion and making the panes appear transparent.

To bring it all together, I built a motorized stand that complements the entire creation, adding both functionality and cohesion.

The Ames window is an illusion where a trapezoidal window appears rectangular due to a distortion technique called anamorphosis. This causes the taller side of the window to seem closer, leading to the perception of oscillation rather than continuous rotation. Named after American scientist Adelbert Ames Jr., who introduced it in 1947, the illusion has fascinated researchers and enthusiasts alike.

Early theories suggested that people in urban environments, familiar with rectangular shapes that appear trapezoidal, might be better at seeing through the illusion. However, studies revealed the opposite: people in cities are more likely to be deceived by it, while those in rural areas are less susceptible. This phenomenon is part of the "carpentered world hypothesis," which proposes that people in environments dominated by straight lines and right angles are more prone to such optical misinterpretations.

To strengthen the Ames window illusion, I designed a panel that obscures the window’s thickness. By aligning the panel’s stripe patterns with those of the window panes, I minimized the perceived depth, effectively 'pushing' the window towards the panel. This design trick directs attention away from the thickness and creates a smooth visual transition that keeps the illusion believable.

The stand supports and rotates the Ames window while maintaining a low profile. Reflecting the stripe patterns of the window and panel, the stand ensures visual consistency. Its simple design provides stability without overshadowing the illusion, while the octagonal shape matches the panel to create harmony.

This concept stands out from typical LEGO models for several reasons:

In summary, this LEGO set merges visual intrigue, practical design, and educational value. Its versatile display options cater to different preferences, while its innovative design elements set it apart from traditional models. The build is structured to minimize repetitiveness through multiple submodels, ensuring a satisfying building experience.

Whether admired for its artistic appeal or explored for its engineering ingenuity, this set offers a unique and engaging experience that’s as enjoyable to build as it is to display.

Here’s a closer look at the development process and technical aspects behind the creation of this model.

Creating this illusion with LEGO bricks was a formidable challenge, requiring a nearly flat build. After numerous trials over three years, I achieved ratios of approximately 1:19.77 for depth to width and 1:20.87 for depth to height, with a depth of 1.42 cm! The project spanned 1049 days, covering digital design, physical building, and testing—with breaks to reassess and recharge, which helped inspire new ideas.

The process was challenging, often pushing me to the brink of giving up, partly due to my limited experience. However, the motto from the LEGO Typewriter set—NGUOYD, or “Never Give Up On Your Dreams”—kept me going. The final design reflects the intricate challenges and significant effort required to perfect its shape, balance, and structure.

Balancing and ensuring structural integrity was crucial. By using a mix of plates with holes and regular plates, I reduced the weight difference between the taller and shorter sides to just 24.8-33.1 grams, translating to 40-43 parts. The Ames window’s design features an intricate network of elements with 2140 direct connections across them.

The model comprises 1917 pieces: 814 for the Ames window, 667 for the stand, and 436 for the panel. As the Ames window primarily relied on system elements, only 37 technic elements were used, along with 230 SNOT bricks and brackets. This demonstrates the effectiveness of these specialized elements when combined through techniques such as overlapping, bonding, and bridging gaps—connecting pieces that are not directly adjacent and cannot connect to intervening pieces—as well as three-dimensional rotational symmetry. The rotational symmetry ensures that tiles on the outside, as well as parts of the inner structure, are placed so that joints predominantly align with the edges of adjacent or opposing tiles or elements—similar to the staggered alignment of stones in ancient Egyptian pyramids.

The diagonal shadows were inspired by the ailerons of the LEGO NASA Space Shuttle Discovery set. By covering slope pieces with wedge plates to create shadows, I enhanced the model’s depth perception. These pairs of wedge plates are offset by half a stud vertically at each column, achieving the closest approximation to an ongoing diagonal line.

The model’s layers are color-coded with 19 different colors used throughout. For certain pieces, the color varies depending on orientation and visibility from the outside. This approach simplifies assembly and ensures a consistent visual appearance.

The Ames window's dimensions, including the studs on the 4×2 wedge plates, are:

Despite appearing wider than high, the window is actually 1.56 cm higher than it is wide. An additional optical illusion makes the window panes seem to expand in width from the taller to the shorter side.

To take the model even further:

Seeing this project come to life within the LEGO community is something I am genuinely excited about. Your support could turn this illusion into reality, and I deeply appreciate you joining me on this journey!

With gratitude.