When Modulars Get a Makeover: The Art of Alt-Building

Ever wondered what would happen if you took apart your Assembly Square or Corner Garage and built something completely different with the same pieces? That's exactly what Filipino builder Kim Plata has been doing, and the results are genuinely impressive.

Known online as Brick Artisan, Kim specialises in what's called "alt-builds" - taking the parts from official LEGO modular sets and creating entirely new buildings that still feel like they belong in your LEGO city. It's a fascinating middle ground between following instructions and going completely freestyle with your own MOCs.

bricknerd.com.* has a full interview with Kim and if you've been a Lego obsessive for a while you will have seen his designs on rebrickable

What makes this particularly clever is how Kim manages to maintain that distinctive modular "feel" whilst creating something fresh. His corner castle design, for instance, transforms a standard modular into something that wouldn't look out of place in a medieval district, yet it's built entirely from modern building pieces.

This approach has real appeal for adult builders who've already built their official modulars but fancy a new challenge. Rather than buying another £150-200 set, you can breathe new life into what's already on your shelf. It's also a great way to develop your building skills - working within the constraints of a specific parts inventory teaches you techniques you might not discover otherwise.

The pandemic seems to have sparked quite a bit of this creative reimagining, with builders having more time to experiment and share their work online. Kim's builds started appearing in Filipino LEGO groups before gaining wider recognition, eventually leading to collaborations and exhibitions.

For parents, this could be an interesting project to tackle with older children who've mastered the original builds. It encourages creative thinking whilst working with familiar pieces, and you end up with something unique for display.

It's worth checking out Kim's Instagram (@brick_artisan19) for inspiration if you're sitting on a collection of modulars gathering dust. Sometimes the best new build is hiding in plain sight on your shelf.