All Roads Lead to Rome: Building the Eternal City, Part II

All Roads Lead to Rome: Building the Eternal City, Part II

Join us for the second part of our interview with Rocco Buttliere about his monumental project to recreate ancient Rome in LEGO bricks. We discuss NPU, details, cost, Elton John... and find out what comes next!

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LEGO Jerusalem: A Port City on the Shore of Eternity

LEGO Jerusalem: A Port City on the Shore of Eternity

We chat with LEGO builder extraordinaire Rocco Buttliere about his newest 114,000-part masterpiece, First Century Jerusalem, to find out how he planned and built this impressive model, why he extensively researches the locations he builds, and how he chooses the perfect parts.

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Can You Spot the Duplo Part in this Custom LEGO Motorcycle Masterpiece?

Can You Spot the Duplo Part in this Custom LEGO Motorcycle Masterpiece?

NPU. Nice Part Usage. This is a phrase that most LEGO builders love to hear. It means they have used a LEGO element in a new and unexpected way, yet it perfectly fits the overall model. If any build exudes NPU to me, it is this motorbike from Swedish builder o0ger.

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"Know Your Pieces" Like This 10,000-Piece Framed LEGO Painting

"Know Your Pieces" Like This 10,000-Piece Framed LEGO Painting

Being a fan of highly detailed facades, especially most from the Oriental part of the world, I must say that the more you look at this one the more you will find. Builder Hoang Dang—known in the LEGO community as Know Your Pieces—has practically created a “Where’s Waldo” of spectacular nice-part-usage (NPU) out of 10,000 pieces.

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Work Out Girl

Here’s a little secret: I don’t work out. Yes, yes, I know this formidable frame seems legitimately cut but I assure you, I’m quite doughy. Unlike this hard body by builder vitreolum, who clearly can do reps, whatever those are. The subtle details and clever building on this character are pretty amazing, look at the neck, where two simple angled 1x2’s suddenly become neck muscles, and the hair is wonderful.

The Heart Of The Home

The kitchen is the heart of the home, I’m sitting in mine at this very moment (most of the blog posts happen right here in my kitchen/breakfast nook). It’s where we prepare meals, and where every party seems to end up, probably because the food is there. Builder MarcelV was challenged by the fine humans at New Elementary to come up with some innovative uses for the Brickheadz glasses part, can you spot them in this excellent interior? OK, that was easy, now look for the other pair.

Ben's Garage

This is one of those MOCs that just keeps giving. The kind you have to view in high resolution to truly appreciate. The amount of detail and clever part use in this relatively small diorama by builder roΙΙi is pretty astounding, everywhere you look there's something unique or just fun happening. Do yourself a favor and click through to see the largest version of this, it's worth it.

Of Rust and Gasoline

Reverend Frantic

I'm not sure if I'm breaking policy here. In general BrickNerd doesn't feature politics or religion, yet according to the description by builder Pate-keetongu the good reverend here is "Man of faith, force and a circular saw hat." He's also positively dashing, and it's my blog, so I'll do what I want. And before you stare puzzled for too long, yes, those are big fig arms as his chest, some impressive NPU.

 

Reverend Frantic