March 2021 LEGO News Roundup
Another month, another roundup of the most interesting LEGO News from around the web!
As always, here’s the latest LEGO news here at Brick Architect and from around the web…
This month at Brick Architect
- Article: Rare LEGO Clutch Test Implements!
LEGO is well known for quality—but how do they test the parts? With these rare LEGO test implements, that’s how! - Article: Pittsburgh Skyline
Check out this intricate skyline of Pittsburgh which aims to meet (or exceed) the high bar of official LEGO Skyline sets.
Upcoming Events
- May 14-16, 2021 – BrickCan 2021
Vancouver’s annual LEGO convention will be all-digital, allowing you to participate from home. Premium tickets include a goody bag and custom convention model shipped to your home, but supplies are limited.
The online event is $5 CAD (Premium is $20 + SH).
Exciting new sets for AFOLs
A bunch of really interesting new sets were recently announced. These are a few of my favorites:
- #10283 NASA Space Shuttle Discovery
Recreate the historic launch of the Hubble Space telescope with this intricate and gorgeous new model.
2354 pieces for $199.99 (179.99€ / £169.99), Available April 1 at LEGO.com - #21326 Winnie the Pooh
The latest addition to the LEGO Ideas product line is a cute scene based on the popular childrens story. The highlight for many will be the selection of custom moulded minfigures.
1265 pieces for $99.99 (99.99€ / £89.99), Available now at LEGO.com
Best articles from around the web
We can’t include every article in the past month, so here are a few of my favorites…
- The LEGO National Mall: Building and Illuminating L’Enfant’s Vision
In February 2020 (which feels like a lifetime ago now), I met talented LEGO Builder Wayne Tyler, who has painstakingly re-created much of the Washington DC Mall with LEGO. More impressive still—He illuminated it beautifully using tiny LEGO-compatible lights!
—BrickNerd - Review: 40502 The Brick Moulding Machine
This rare set shows you how LEGO bricks are made, but is only available at The LEGO House in Billund, Denmark.
—New Elementary - Trends in LEGO Minifigure Gender Representation in Licensed Themes I – LEGO Star Wars
Continuing the work by the Women’s Brick Initiative, Richard has put together a massive article showing the slow progress in better female representation within LEGO Star Wars sets.
—Rambling Brick - 50 female LEGO designers; creatives & content creators you should follow
In this must-read article, Jay highlights a ton of talented female LEGO builders, including photos of some of their incredible work.
—Jay’s Brick Blog - LEGO SNOT Basics: Geometry, Techniques and Pitfalls
Nerd-in-Chief Dave Schefcik shares his considerable knowledge in SNOT building techniques in this detailed and well illustrated article!
—BrickNerd
Best podcast episodes:
Here’s yet another batch of great audio storytelling about LEGO and other topics I hope you will enjoy!
- Andrew Tuppen and Damian Hinds – Clicking Bricks (59:07)
Starting with the immensely popular LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game in 2005, Tt games has created 19 games based on the same child-friendy action/adventure formula. I enjoyed the origin story and behind-the-scenes bits, but wish they admitted that the games are a bit formulaic, but wish they stopped trying so hard to convince us that their games aren’t formulaic. (They are, the formula works, and there’s nothing wrong with that!)
—For the love of brick - The Megaplex! (39:04)
Find out why 1999 had so many great films, and more in this look back at the creation of the Megaplex!
—99% Invisible - #14: LEGO VIDIYO: A Conversation (40:30)
While this new podcast by The LEGO Group is still struggling to edit episodes to the perfect length, and offer deeper insights into the inner workings of The LEGO Group, this episode does offer a decent overview of the new LEGO VIDIYO product line.
—Bits N’ Bricks
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