Today was the launch of the Yard Digital Lego office:
Luckily I managed to get a rare interview with the designer himself, Radek Milcarz. What is it about Lego that really gets him going? What does the future hold for Radek and Lego?
The Interview
Good afternoon, Radek. Firstly, thank you so much for recreating the Edinburgh Yard office and staff out of Lego. How long did it take you?
Two days, which equals 48 hours. This is also known as 3 years in Lego time. Most of the time spent on adding the little details here and there. May I just add that no Lego builders were harmed during the building of the office. I cannot vouch for other Lego building creations.
We love your work, are you happy with the result?
It isn’t exactly as I wished, because I was lacking some bricks. Perhaps if I say this loud enough then Lego might sponsor my next project?
When did you start your Lego building career?
When I was four. It was love at first sight when I saw that shiny red brick in the shop back in Poland.
Have you ever stolen to fund your Lego habit?
Can we please move on.
What was the first thing you built with Lego?
An ancient police car #6623.
Source: http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=6623-1
Isn’t that a bit ironic considering your answer to question two?
Can we please move on.
Have you ever considered attending the Lego University?
No, building is about having fun. It’s a skill you’re born with. I was one of the lucky ones.
Do you come from a long line of lego builders?
My Dad was a full scale builder.
Ah, so you’re a chip off the old Lego block!
[Radek groans].
Are your family supportive of your Lego obsession?
Ask my wife. Not my Lego wife, my real one.
Radek's Lego Wife?
How do you feel about Legoland? Do you think it’s cruel to capture and lock up all those Lego bricks?
No, I think it’s awesome to make those creations available for people to see. The only thing I didn’t like were the queues. I used to live a 20 minute drive from Legoland, now we need a Legoland in Scotland, we could call it Scotlegoland.
What is your favourite Lego brick?
That is like asking you to choose who you like better, your mum or dad, or which of your children is your favourite. They all have their unique characteristics and roles.
Does size matter when it comes to Lego?
I don’t think so, small ones and big ones [creations] can both be cool. It is the builder behind it [the creation] that matters.
What is your most unusual Lego creation?
Can we move on please.
Lego Radek or Real Radek?
Have you ever taken Lego to bed?
Oh come on! Can we move on please.
Sorry, I was just wanted to understand the depth of your passion. Do you dream in Lego?
Not yet.
What Lego projects are you planning next?
I don’t normally plan, they are usually accidental. If it’s a rainy weekend, then I get my builder’s hat on and just build. So it could be anything that inspires me on the day.
Does your employer, Yard Digital, support your Lego hobby?
Absolutely, I would just like to take this moment to thank all of my Lego models who made this project possible (left to right); Ben, Myself, Jennie, Wiebke, Andrew, Stephan, Ian, Nadine, Geoff, Barry, and not forgetting Hennie, the office dog.
Thank you for your time today, Radek, and also thank you for recreating our office out of Lego. Now let’s replicate it to scale!
What we’ve all been waiting for…
Now we’ve met the man, let’s have a look at his skilled handiwork with a tour of our office…
The Front Office…
Our kitchen…
Meeting room…
The Back Office…
The toilets (Yes, I did feel it was necessary to show this)…
A typical day in the office…
Notice the pizza on the desk, unfortunately not a typical day in the office…
(NOTE: Images are not to scale).
Some more of Radek’s work. Just a normal day on the beach, maybe Yard’s next holiday?
Radek’s work will be published on the Yard Digital Facebook page as and when it is built. If you want to learn more about the world of Lego, then why don’t you follow Radek on Twitter.