Once a childhood bug has bitten, the only thing that grows is the adventure.

Hosted by Clearwater Mall, the South African LEGO Users Group (zaLUG) delighted shoppers young and old with their miniature plastic brick creations on August 27. Displays were grouped at various corners of the mall, distracting patrons from the tills but adding a rare spectacle. Assembled section by section the previous day, the wonderlands lay silent overnight ready for the morning crowds.

Founded in 2011, zaLUG is a collection of designers and creatives who use the famed Danish children’s building toys to express artistic and fantastical delights. From re-creating scenes from mythical adventures and iconic pieces from beloved film franchises, to the free-form building of worlds from the designers’ own imagination, the possibilities are endless.

Eben Esterhuizen is one of the standout designers who brought with him a spectacular breathing dragon and a tower that he believes holds an unofficial record. Esterhuizen designed the dragon from scratch and the gently heaving chest area is powered by two small motors. Also using electricity, the 5.7 metres tall vertical conveyor belt transports hundred of little balls to the top before dropping them into chutes that recycle them at the other end.

The most common question that the members field from those gazing at their creations is ‘how long did it take to build?’. Much like any hobby the inspiration can come in waves depending on mood and circumstance.

“Sometimes you can start putting a few pieces together in the evening then all of a sudden it is 01:00 in the morning,” laughed Willie van der Westhuizen.

While sticking to instructions for the themed pieces, these LEGO builders have long since discarded the plans that come in the box. Their registered status as a Lego Users Group gives them inside access to pieces that can be bought in bulk or specially ordered, giving zaLUG members the freedom of the LEGO world to turn small pieces of plastic into the designs of dreams.

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