Life-Size Lego House Built...and Demolished
The Two-Story Lego House
It's every child's dream--a full-sized house made entirely of Legos, right down to the flushing toilet, breadbox and newspapers. But the two-story Lego house just completed in England was demolished on Tuesday, Sept. 22, after a deal to place it at a nearby Legoland amusement park fell through.
Steve Parsons, PA/AP
The project was the idea of James May, a British TV host, to be featured on his series Toy Stories. He enlisted a thousand volunteers and used 3.3 million donated Lego bricks. He even spent a night in the house, which he learned in not waterproof and has "the most uncomfortable bed I've ever slept in," May told The Daily Mail.
Steve Parsons, PA/AP
After a plan to install the house at nearby Legoland Windsor amusement park fell through (May says Legoland reneged on a deal to take it because it's too pricey to transport while the park is miffed that it was not consulted on construction), builders tried unsuccessfully to find someone who was willing to claim the house, free if they could pay the $82,000 needed to haul it away.
UPPA, ZUMA Press
Shield the children's eyes! After weeks of construction, a thousand volunteers and three million Lego blocks, the Lego house was demolished on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
INS
The Legos left over after the demolition will be donated to charity.
See more pictures of the demolition in the Telegraph.
INS
Toy fanatic and BBC television host James May set out last month to build the first ever life-size house made strictly out of Legos for his show James May's Toy Stories.
UPPA, ZUMA Press
The two-story structure was built in the Denbies Wine Estate in Dorking, Surrey. As seen here, the frame was wood, but everything else was all Lego, all the time. There was even a Lego cat inside!
UPPA, ZUMA Press
Back in early August, thousands of people answered May's call for help in constructing the house. According to The Daily Mail, a total of 1,200 people were granted access to the vineyard, while 1,500 were turned away. Volunteers even brought their old Lego blocks to help the cause.
UPPA, ZUMA Press
The Lego house near completion. Construction took weeks longer than anticipated. (Doesn't it always?)
UPPA, ZUMA Press
The Lego company nearly collapsed a few years ago but has recently rebounded, with a new CEO and a focus on Hollywood tie-ins, according to the New York Times.
UPPA, ZUMA Press



Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
savagemouse 9-22-2009 @ 9:12PM
Wow, England takes the lead in the global HOW TO WASTE A TON OF FRICKIN' TIME AND ENERGY competition. Way to go, England.
Reply
Kia 9-24-2009 @ 9:58AM
I AM SO IN AGREEMENT WITH U
sinnamin 9-24-2009 @ 10:26AM
why complain its better than what we americans waste our time on, finding more ways to get fat.
Midnight 9-24-2009 @ 11:11AM
It's a shame you take life so seriously. I'm glad this guy is this cool. People like him make life more interesing. :)
stairbuilder 9-24-2009 @ 11:45AM
And how do you spend your time? Finding a cure for the world's ills? Who are you to judge how others find fulfillment? I'm an American who is embarassed by your crass reply just because it doesn't fit your definition of what one should do with their time. Think about that the next time you park yourself in front of the tv.
smiffy93 9-24-2009 @ 11:50AM
Please read a real story before you apply fingers to keyboards. Obviously the light wasn't on in the brain when your fingers went walk-about.
cat murphy 9-24-2009 @ 12:36PM
how sad! and for those of you that thought it was such a waste of time even sadder that you lack any imagination. I sure hope you don't have any kids for they are not likely to grow up with any either.
don 9-24-2009 @ 12:46PM
its just someone who is exercising his right to the pursuit of HAPPINESS! he did a good job, didnt he?
sweep10exp 9-24-2009 @ 12:54PM
Dude! Why'd they demolish it? What a waste. That could've been a sweet arcade, any type of kids store (clothes, books, etc), a rich kid's back yard play house, a house for homeless people...As if they couldn't figure out something cool to do with it?
Ken 9-24-2009 @ 1:39PM
If working on something is a complete waste of time then I guess sitting on your butt eating burgers and fries must be Noble Prize winning material.
Ana 9-24-2009 @ 1:29PM
Yea because you wasting time on the internet is so much better...
NAZ 9-24-2009 @ 1:31PM
I remember as a child (many many years ago) daydreaming about how I'd go about building my LEGO house, down to the furniture. The LEGOs sold in stores back then had less frills, and more blocks and windows. It wasn't about building a pre-designed LEGO toy but more about building your own design. Building blocks and windows is all I wanted so I could build a house with halls, and doorways and stairs. Great stuff.
Lynn 9-24-2009 @ 2:40PM
I love this Lego house! I wish a school or playground could have used it rather than demolishing it! It was beautiful!
Scott 9-24-2009 @ 1:49PM
You probably won't read this.... like you didn't read the part where it said his creation would be hosted at the legoland theme park.
PROBABLY something that would net a pretty penny and enough fame for some nice contracts down the line
arbomatrix 9-24-2009 @ 7:32PM
Demolished - some one must have leaned on it. Lego is worthless garbage. Some people have way too much time on their hands!
sawmail 9-24-2009 @ 1:55PM
If it had been 'Mosques' construction; I'm sure it would have been heralded in merry ole England as a symbol of progressive thinking and reverance to ALLAH.....no doubt it would have been preserved under special order of the PM and parades would break out in Burka's for the relocation to high ground donated by the State, of course.
Me 9-24-2009 @ 2:02PM
I'm laughing at all the defensive replies because this dude only did this TO MAKE MONEY! I guess people didn't read the part about him being a television host of a show called "Toy Stories". It's not about being creative, it's all about ratings and CASH!
Tiffany 9-24-2009 @ 2:18PM
Wow. Some people really don't have any imagination. Atleast Englad has something to do during the day. What do we Americans do? Drugs, sex, drinking, killing. Yea thats everywhere, but wow what imagination it is to put a gun to someones head and pull the trigger. Yea, some imagination.
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop laughing."-Michael Pritchard.
How about you start laughing again, and stop taking life so seriously. I think that would be fun to do. And atleast he has an imagination.. Can you say that for yourself? Probably not, you probably sit at home all day in front of the computer or the television..
This is the best thing I've seen made in a long time. [:
Good Job!
dollymay 9-24-2009 @ 4:14PM
savagemouse 9-22-2009 @ 9:12PM
Wow, England takes the lead in the global HOW TO WASTE A TON OF FRICKIN' TIME AND ENERGY competition. Way to go, England
yeah because building a big lego house is a waste of time but spending your day on the computer making comments on aol is so much more productive
Alden 9-24-2009 @ 4:19PM
Wait what really? I understand the first reply defending the guy who made the house, but 17 replies?
I also notice that quickly it turned into calling the guy a fat American who's sitting by his computer eating burgers.
You guys need to find something better to do than replying to silly comments. For that matter... so do I. :-/