The larger the model, the more detailed it can be and the more it resembles the real life building. Due to the size of the smallest bricks, it is much easier to build large models as you have relatively smaller pieces to work with. For this reason, my original plan was to build a larger building which would have been around one metre tall. When I realized however that this is not feasible, I decided to go for this scale which is around 1:250.

The most important reason for this choice is the size of arch bricks produced by LEGO. Assuming that the main entrance and the arched stained glass windows on each side are 4 studs wide, then all the other arches on the building can be one stud wide. All the other dimensions of the model were calculated in relation to these.

Building a microscale LEGO model poses far more challenges and tough decisions than larger structures. Sometimes the most difficult task is to accept the fact that certain details are impossible to depict on such a small scale. Nonetheless, it is extremely exciting to find the right bricks and the right colours to create the best effect possible. Sometimes a brick lends itself to a specific detail.

Examples include the dome piece used on the roof of the bell tower where the small openings create the illusion of skylights, and the chandeliers on the stone wall around the building which were originally designed as telescopes for LEGO minifigures. Colours may also have an important role in creating the right visual effect. The dark tan line above the second row of windows is designed to represent the ornamental stone ledges on the original building.

Of course one must simplify when building on this scale. For example, the standalone statues are built from round cones, while the statues on the tympanum are represented by various round pieces. The latin EGO SUM VIA VERITAS ET VITA sign on the main facade is recreated using similar colours and textures, but there is no sign on the model. I built the LEGO version of the ornamental stone flooring in front of the bell towers and outside the side entrances by focusing on the four most characteristic colours and the most visible shapes. In some cases I decided to add a detail even if it is too large in proportion to the building. For example, the dark red squares standing on their corners under the arched windows of the dome tower are much smaller in reality, but they are highly decorative.

The construction took place in four stages. In the first stage I used bricks of random shapes and colours to create the shape of the building, design the structure of the dome etc. I built only about half of the building with this method, the rest being just repetition. In the next stage I counted the number of pieces in all colours I needed to complete the model, and ordered them from LEGO suppliers in Hungary and all over Europe that sell LEGO by the piece. Once I received all the materials I assembled the building. The actual process was slightly more complex because the four stages were repeated a few times as the construction progressed and whenever I found a more sophisticated solution than I had planned at first.

This model was built exclusively from existing, commercially available LEGO bricks. The pieces are joined only using their inherent design, that is, no piece is glued to another or attached by other similar means.

Words by Balázs Dóczy, builder of the LEGO Basilica

Fun Facts:

Scale: 1:250
Number of bricks: around 4000
Building time: 80 hours
Colour palette: 18 colours
Weight: 4.5 kg
Cost of bricks: 400 EUR / 550 USD / 350 GBP
Year: 2013