Built With Bricks

What’s the key to a challenge-winning build? According to Corbett, making something they’ve never seen before. But she’s also always looking for technical ability—the way that teams use the bricks to make beautiful but structurally sound builds packed with details that bring it to life. Luckily, the builders have a huge variety of materials available. “Not many people can say they’ve had the opportunity to build with 5 million bricks,” says Stacey Roy. She won season 3 with teammate Nick Della Mora.

Some challenges have teams get high-tech by adding moving parts powered by motors or working lights. One of Roy’s challenges was to build a motorized, playable mini-golf hole. She was worried the mechanics wouldn’t work because their build was too big for their allotted space, and they had to jam it in to fit! “When everything worked and the ball navigated the whole apparatus, everyone cheered.”

What’s the key to winning? Corbett wants builders to make something she’s never seen before. She’s also looking for technical skills. Teams need to carefully consider how to connect their bricks. If a structure isn’t stable, it could come crashing down.

Different shapes and colors of bricks help the builders create details. Luckily, they have a huge variety to choose from. Stacey Roy won season 3 with her teammate. “Not many people can say they’ve had the opportunity to build with 5 million bricks,” she says.

Some challenges get extra complicated. Teams may need to add motors, moving parts, or working lights. Roy was asked to build a motorized mini-golf hole. It even needed to be playable! But the structure she and her teammate built was a little too big. They had to jam it into their assigned space. Roy was worried the moving parts would get stuck as a result. “When everything worked and the ball navigated the whole apparatus, everyone cheered,” she says.

Most of the time, contestants want their builds to come to life without breaking apart. But sometimes, destruction is unavoidable! In Season 2, builders had to make a remote-controlled Lego vehicle that could survive a demolition derby. Their designs had to be sturdy but also able to destroy the competition.

Roy’s favorite part of Lego Masters is that aspiring brickmasters can try things at home. “Try smaller-scale versions of the challenges you see on the show,” she suggests. “Every step of the way gives you a sense of accomplishment.”

Contestants don’t usually want their builds to break apart. But sometimes, destruction is unavoidable. In Season 2, builders had to make a remote-controlled Lego vehicle. Then, all the vehicles competed in a demolition derby! The designs had to be sturdy to survive. But they also needed to to destroy their opponents.

Roy’s favorite part of Lego Masters isn’t the competition. She loves that Lego builders everywhere can try things at home. “Try smaller-scale versions of the challenges you see on the show,” she suggests. “Every step of the way gives you a sense of accomplishment.”