LEGOLAND builds 12-foot replica of One World Trade Center

Last Friday, the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester in Yonkers, N.Y., celebrated the completion of a LEGO replica of One World Trade Center by lighting the 12-foot-tall, 100-pound model. Members of the Port Authority Police Honor Guard were there to mark the event.

The model was meticulously created by a team of expert LEGO model builders entirely out of 4,873 LEGO bricks, taking more than 260 hours to design and build. It re-creates One WTC’s distinctive architecture and design with LEGO bricks, from its dynamic, shimmering glass surface all the way up to its magnificent spire.

One WTC is being added to MINILAND, the attraction’s signature re-creation of landmark locations and buildings throughout New York City and Westchester County. Every five minutes, the One WTC model and MINILAND complete a day to night cycle, with the building and landmark locations illuminated as appropriate for the time of day. Adding to the atmosphere are hundreds of interactive LEGO MINIFIGURES and vehicles and sounds, including moving mini cars, trucks and boats; a working subway train accompanied by familiar sounds; and a mini rock band jamming in Central Park.

Just the fifth such location in the nation, LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester is a $12 million, 32,300-sf indoor attraction that offers a range of educational and interactive experiences, such as hands-on play areas, a 4D cinema, Model Builder Academy, two LEGO amusement rides, and MINILAND.

Guests at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester watch a LEGO replica of One World Trade Center light up following a special ceremony unveiling the model on June 28, 2013. Photo courtesy Port Authority, Mike Dombrowski

A LEGO replica of One World Trade Center stands tall above the MINILAND exhibit at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester following a special ceremony unveiling the model on June 28, 2013. Photo courtesy Port Authority, Mike Dombrowski

Last September, AIA San Francisco awarded the Professional Category in its 2021 Future Classroom Competition to a five-person team from Culver City, Calif.-based Berliner Architects. The firm was selected for its “Learning Everywhere” idea that features a mobile strategy for education at school, home, on field trips, and in transit. BD+C's John Caulfield discuss that concept with Richard Berliner, AIA, Principal, Berliner Architects.