A new community project is underway at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, as students, faculty, and alumni come together to create a detailed model of the university’s Historic Campus using Lego bricks. This ambitious endeavor, which officially began on August 20, 2023, aims to utilize up to 200,000 Lego bricks to replicate iconic structures, including the Sir Christopher Wren Building, the President’s House, and the Brafferton.
The project has already garnered attention and excitement, especially among students. Before the recent Commencement, members of the Class of 2025 received a sneak preview of the work. The Lego model will be constructed in modules, allowing for collaboration across the campus community. The initiative encourages participation from alumni, students, and local residents, making it a collective effort.
Bruce Christian, a 1973 alumnus and longtime supporter of William & Mary, is funding the entire project. Despite not being an avid Lego enthusiast, Christian has taken the lead in the initial construction. His family helped create a 890-brick replica of the Wren Building’s west steps, which serves as the project’s first module. Christian remarked, “My whole experience with Lego is that it really hurts if you step on one,” referring to the common experience of Lego enthusiasts. His grandson, a Lego fan, assisted in assembling the steps, adding a personal touch to the project.
Building the Vision
This year marks the 330th anniversary of the Wren Building’s construction, the oldest academic building in the United States. Charles E. Fulcher Jr., director of Wren operations and events, is overseeing the project. He previously managed a similar large-scale Lego model at the Washington National Cathedral, which provided him with valuable experience for this undertaking.
Fulcher collaborated with Romão Santos, a designer from the London-based firm Sensational Bricks, to create a detailed design for the William & Mary model. Santos, who is based in Portugal, provided the specifications that Fulcher and a team of volunteers have begun to assemble. “We made kits that will join together to build the full model,” Fulcher explained, emphasizing the importance of modular construction for facilitating builds in various locations.
Upcoming events will allow community members to contribute to the model at prominent campus venues, including the Alumni House and Swem Library. The first facilitated build session is scheduled for August 27, 2023, coinciding with the start of undergraduate classes. Additional sessions will take place throughout the academic year, particularly during signature events such as Family Weekend and Homecoming.
A Community Collaboration
Fulcher highlighted the significance of this project for the university community, stating, “It will give volunteers a way to talk about the relationship between the historic campus buildings and why there are different colors and patterns to the bricks.” Initially, the model will feature a variety of colors, but once completed, it will reflect the authentic brick architecture of the campus.
Students like Ainsley Ruhl, a government major from Jackson, Mississippi, have expressed enthusiasm for the project. Ruhl, who interned at the Wren Building, noted that building with Lego offers a nostalgic experience for many students. “It’s a fun way for students to interact with the building while leaving a piece of themselves behind,” she said.
The goal is to complete the model by July 2026, although the timeline depends on the rate of participation. Fulcher remarked on the community spirit driving this project, contrasting it with other university Lego builds that are often led by a single individual. “Everyone within the broader William & Mary community will have an opportunity to take part in this,” Christian emphasized, capturing the essence of collaboration that defines the initiative.
Upcoming build events include:
– August 27, 2023, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sadler Terrace
– September 13, 2023, noon to 2 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. (Location TBA)
– October 3-4, 2023, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Location TBA)
As the William & Mary community embarks on this creative project, the excitement surrounding the Lego model serves as a testament to the university’s commitment to fostering collaboration and engagement among its members.
