I’ve made a ton of progress this month on both the existing digital versions and upcoming print edition of The LEGO Parts Guide. It is exciting to finally realize my vision of creating the online guide in 2024, then refining both the digital and print versions at the same time this year. This is possible because they are created from a shared database. For the upcoming print edition, I now have a Foreword, Introduction, and the first chapter about ‘Basic’ parts that I’m pleased with. I’ve also created very rough drafts of the text for the 11 remaining chapters and am eager to refine them as quickly as possible. (Here’s a complete list of recent changes to the online guide.)

Continued progress refining the book’s styling.

One of my personal goals for this project is to ensure that the book is extremely well researched, which is why I plan to include references throughout the book that point to detailed citations. That’s why I’m creating an online citations database where I’m collecting mroe than 100 quotes from well-respected LEGO books and online sources as part of my research.

I’m designing a system for citation ID’s within the book to be accessible online.

This approach allows me to include much more detailed citations which include quoted text from the source along with my interpretations. I hope this helps you continue learning beyond the book’s binding!

New at Brick Architect

• Brick by Brick: Exploring LEGO Dungeons & Dragons with #21348 Red Dragon’s Tale
  Are you ready to roll the dice on the first LEGO set that includes a playable D&D campaign? Even if you don’t roll a natural 20, you will probably have a good time.
• Updated: LEGO Parts Guide
  This month, I radically simplified the Homepage and simplified the top-level categories. You will also find that everything should load a lot more quickly.
• Patrons: Sample Chapter, Illustration Style Explorations
  I’m making real progress writing the actual chapter contents and creating the illustrations to support the text. I think it looks really good!
• Patrons: Exploring the use of ‘online’ citations?
  I’ve done extensive research while writing The LEGO Parts Guide. I would like to show my work through extensive footnotes/endnotes, but I do not think it makes sense to include several pages of citations in the back of the book, so I’m exploring how to put this supporting content online.
• Patrons: Book & Website Improvements
  Update on book design, including a preview of an improved Table of Contents..

June 2025 releases for AFOLs

June is a big month for new LEGO sets, with dozens of sets for all ages to choose from… I’m not going to try to list everything here, so I encourage you to visit lego.com to explore the whole lineup which includes the introduction of LEGO Bluey sets, Jurassic World, LEGO Friends, LEGO Dreamzzz, and some interesting LEGO City sets (although several aren’t available in North America until August).

• #10352 The Simpsons: Krusty Burger
  After a long break, it’s back to Springfield for the latest addition to The Simpsons lineup. (You will also get a lacklustre gift-with-purchase of The Simpsons couch while supplies last.
  1635 pieces, 7 minifigs, ages 18+, $210, available June 1 at LEGO.com
• #10367 Lord of the Rings Balrog Book Nook
  Book Nooks offer a creative way to fit a relatively large LEGO set on a small area of your shelf. (In case you don’t want a Balrog hiding in your bookshelf, there’s also a Sherlock Holmes themed option.) 1201 pieces, 1 minifig, ages 18+, $130, preorder now at LEGO.com
• #21358 Minifigure Vending Machine
  It is easy to critique the $180 price tag given the modest part count, but I’m certain this will be a top seller thanks to the introduction of two new LEGO Space colors, a new Kraken Castle faction — 14 minifigures in all. I wouldn’t sleep on this one. 1343 pieces, ages 18+, $180, available June 1 at LEGO.com

#21358 Minifigure Vending Machine includes a ton of highly-sought minifigs.

• #21357 Disney Pixar Luxo Jr.
  This is a beautifully sculpted model, thanks in no small part to a new part which is used to create the lamp’s curved shape. I’m glad to learn that the lamp turns and it can be pushed down and springs back.
  613 pieces, ages 18+, $70, preorder now at LEGO.com
• #71847 The Guardian Dragon
  This massive dragon is clearly meant to be a display piece, targeting an older audience than most LEGO Ninjago sets.
  1650 pieces, ages 14+, $150, preorder now at LEGO.com.
• #10349 Happy Plants
  It’s not just in the title, these happy plants make me smile every time I see a photo of them. At only $23, it’s one of the few low-cost sets to capture my imagination.
  217 pieces, ages 9+, $23, available June 1 at LEGO.com.

#10349 Happy Plants makes me smile.

You can explore all of the new releases by visiting the lego.com store. (Making a purchase using our referral link helps support this website.)

Best articles from around the web

Learn more about the LEGO hobby with this month’s collection of great articles from around the web every month…

• Behind the Lens: Visual Storytelling in LEGO
  This article about the photography of Ryo Tomita is all about creating photos of your LEGO models that tell a powerful story. Lots of tips and tricks to try with your next great LEGO photography project!
  —BrickNerd
• BDP8: (Nearly) Completing a Medieval Cathedral
  This article contains a ton of behind-the-scenes photos from a lego builder that goes by Arselus about building a Medieval Cathedral and submitting it to the BrickLink Designer Program.
  —Brickset
• What’s up with white?
  Head rambler Richard Jones takes a much closer look at a recent re-formulation of the color White used in LEGO sets. As you will see in the photos, it is a bit ‘whiter’ and a lot more opaque.
  —Rambling Brick

The new formulation is whiter and more opaque. (Photo: Rambling Brick)

• LEGO Pythagorean triangles: Escaping the grid
  In this article, Arno Knobbe explains how to use pythagorean triangles when designing LEGO models.
  —New Elementary
• Building and growing together: An AFOL mother’s journey Kimberly Giffen is a friend of mine, but she is also an incredibly talented LEGO builder. To celebrate Mother’s Day, she shared her personal journey about building LEGO with her children.
  —Brothers Brick
• The Conversation Piece #5: How to Use Color in LEGO Builds
  The folks at the Builder Improvement Initiative produced an excellent article about leveraging color effectively in your models, and it includes a bunch of great examples.
  —BrickNerd

Kim Nugent drew inspiration from Claude Monet’s Women with a Parasol. (Photo: BrickNerd)

• Interview: Secret Life of Lego Bricks – New York Public Library
  This is a fantastic interview with Daniel Konstanski about some of his favorite stories from writing his excellent book, The Secret Life of LEGO Bricks.
  —YouTube / New York Public Library
• A New Horizon for LEGO Games (with Bonus Instructions)
  While I’m also planning to share my thoughts about the videogame which I’m currently playing with my son, I wanted to share this article by Keith Reed which give you closer look at this new take on LEGO adventure games.
  —BrickNerd
• MOCs of the LEGO Masters
  Brothers Brick has been featuring MOCs by participants of Season 5 of LEGO Masters USA, which debuted on May 19. There are some really talented builders on the show this season!
  —Brothers Brick