The sun is shining more often again, the first flowers are sprouting and more is happening outside. You can clearly see that spring is here! The community has also reawakened to LEGO Ideas. Because on the platform in the last week of February 26. until 03.03. In 2024, five more models managed to surprise Ideas fans. The designs collected the necessary 10,000 fan votes and could enter the first review phase in 2024 in positions 23 to 27. Let's take a closer look at the colorful mix of architecture, the Middle Ages, nature and mechanics!
Medieval bee farm
Facts about the design
- Title: Medieval bee farm
- Fan Designer: JKBrick
- Days: 343
- Minifigures: 3
- Number of parts: 2,994
Beekeeping was already a very important task in the Middle Ages. At the time it was still known as Zeidlerei and not yet as a beekeeping company. The work as Zeidler was very strenuous and demanding. Not only the luxuriously good honey, but especially the wax for the production of candles yielded a large profit.
The LEGO Bee Farm is a house with a round roof in a natural environment of plants, mushrooms and water. The house itself consists of three parts: a semi-open part where outdoor work such as preparing and sawing wooden slats, installing new cupboards and storing empty cupboards are carried out. The next part is the lower level of the inner part of the bee farm, where there are smaller and larger hives both outside and inside, as well as utensils for processing. In the upper part there is a small bedroom with a fireplace. The set comes with three minifigures of an old beekeeper, a boy and a young lady. There are also many “bee figures” and a cat.
I think the idea is really cute. I especially like the sloping roof. But I'm not sure the medieval bee farm really stands a chance. Many medieval models were rejected and the Sweet Honey design, which appeared in the review a year ago, did not seem to convince the LEGO Ideas design team. So I don't think the model will be implemented.
Gundam
Facts about the design
- Title: LEGO Gundam
- Fan Designer: Legotruman
- Days: 638
- Minifigures: 0
- Number of parts: unknown
- Dimensions: H 46 cm x W 24 cm
Gundam represents one of the most famous mechas (giant robots) in 80s pop culture. The original anime Mobile Suit Gundam aired in 1979. And the franchise is still incredibly popular today with over 40 film and series productions.
The LEGO Gundam is based on the original RX-78-2 model. It is the most famous Mobile Suit Gundam design in the world. The 1:1 scale model in Yokohama (Japan) is based on the RX-78-2. It also appeared in the movie Ready Player One. The LEGO Gundam stands a whopping 46cm tall, has 12 movable joints (22 if fingers are included) and comes with the iconic beam sabre, beam rifle and red shield.
The Gunpla toys are a construction toy line, much like the Gundam franchise itself. The two companies should collaborate for a LEGO model. I'm not sure LEGO would release a model like this when there are already several building sets within the Gundam franchise. In addition, almost all robot models have been rejected and other robot sets such as 10302 Optimus Prime are currently for sale in the LEGO range.
Dancing House
Facts about the design
- Title: Dancing House, Prague
- Fan Designer: More paranoid
- Days: 726
- Minifigures: 0
- Number of parts: 2,987
This is the Dancing House in Prague, designed by Vlado Milunić and Frank Gehry. It is also called Fred and Ginger because the two towers of the house resemble a pair of dancers. The house is located at the intersection of three streets, a bridge and the Vltava, making the location even more attention-grabbing.
All six levels of the Fred Tower can be rotated, making the building appear more dynamic. The inside of each level can be opened outwards by turning. The top floor of the building on the river side can be pulled out like a drawer. The top of Fred's Tower is an observation deck with several binoculars and a huge sculpture, as well as some roof terraces. The Ginger Tower uses transparent tiles as a curved glass surface. The exterior columns on the ground floor are each connected to the floor and ceiling via a bolt, so that they can be rotated in the same direction as the glass surfaces. There is a huge air conditioning system on the roof.
The idea is certainly very cool. But here too I don't think the set stands a chance. So far, all landmarks on LEGO Ideas have been rejected, not least because the company continues to release well-known buildings through Architecture and Icons.
Restoration of rocky reef
Facts about the design
- Title: Restoration of rocky reef
- Fan designer: uPawelek
- Days: 40
- Minifigures: 2
- Number of parts: 1,500
Coral reefs are among the most beautiful natural creations on our planet. Unfortunately, the survival of reefs is threatened by climate change and marine pollution. Some researchers are making great efforts to restore and protect our reefs, and their fight inspired me to write this idea.
The LEGO design shows two scientists aboard a jellyfish-shaped submarine, equipped with a small laboratory for conducting on-site tests and a coral nursery for growing new coral buds. These can later be planted on the dead part of the reef. Attached to the underside of the vehicle are four movable arms, eight rotating tentacles, four adjustable reflectors and a step next to the hatch. They can use winches and the CR-48 crab-shaped drone to remove marine debris.
The coral reef itself grows on an inactive underwater volcano. One of the sides hides a cave. In the center there is a skeleton and a pirate treasure, on the outside there are many different creatures from the reef.
This is a set that would definitely be desirable as an educational model. The Great Coral Reef made it to the Ideas Review in 2021, but was rejected. Not least because it would have exceeded the number of parts. Some similar models are the Marine Life 2, which is currently awaiting a response from the design team, or some sea turtles such as the Baby Green Sea Turtle or the Sea Turtle from LEGOverwatch, which were unfortunately also rejected. So the chance is quite small.
Wizard's Peak
Facts about the design
- Title: The Wizard Peaks
- Fan Designer: CozyBricks
- Days: 614
- Minifigures: 0
- Number of parts: unknown
The Wizard Peak is a small display set, but the basic idea is that someone expands this model themselves to create their own miniature fantasy world. The edge is removable and secured, leaving room to expand and create your own magical miniature wonderland. The construction already includes a rocky coast with a cliff where two boats arrive at the port. There is a bridge that leads from the island to a floating rock with a huge wizard's castle on top. And deep underground the dwarves search for gemstones in the mines.
In the current review phase, a second Wizard model has made it into the review, namely the Wizard of Oz. However, this is a completely different version and therefore the two designs can hardly be compared despite the similar name. However, if we look at the other Wizard and Witch models on LEGO Ideas, which often represent a form of a witch's house, we unfortunately also see a pattern here: rejection.
The Wizard's Hut, Wizards Retreat, Witch House, Medieval Alchemist and two models from Terry Prachett's Discworld could not convince the designers of LEGO Ideas. I doubt Wizard Peaks will have a chance, as the construction could be very similar to the planned Nightmare before Christmas set and the witch theme is already addressed with the 21341 Hocus Pocus set.