Last week LEGO announced the review results of the projects that reached 10,000 supporters between January and May 2016. There were nine projects in this review period, and the result came to many LEGO fans as a pleasant and unexpected surprise. Below you will find the full announcement as well as some other details, so we can discuss. 🙂
While the projects in this review period were all wonderful with many supporters, still, some had a better chance of being chosen as an official LEGO set than others. Most people expected the Fossil Museum, the Gingerbread House, or Johnny Five to be selected – based on the characteristics of previously released LEGO Ideas sets. The Old Fishing Store had lots of followers as well, however since the model comes with over 2000 elements, even fans were doubtful that it will be the winner. No LEGO Ideas set of this size was released before.
Here is the announcement from LEGO Ideas: Fishing has always been a central point in Robert Bontenbal’s life. This big passion, in combination with his day job as an architectural draughtsman, is what came together to create this beautiful model that is packed with lovely details and play opportunities. Its creative building style represents a unique design expression for LEGO houses that we’re all very excited about. We’re still working out the final product design, pricing and availably for the Old Fishing Store, so check back on LEGO Ideas in 2017 for details.
It is also interesting to note that Robert intended his model to be a series, which is discouraged per LEGO Ideas policy. He writes on his LEGO Ideas page: “My story for this modular building was that the Old Fishing Store is based upon the LEGO Christmas sets that are available. I liked the Christmas sets so I built this one on LEGO Digital Designer (LDD). I really believe that this model could have a lot of genuine interest to fans of Christmas sets. This is the first of a series of modular buildings that I will be making.”
Since the submission of the Old Fishing Store, Robert also uploaded three other projects to LEGO Ideas, one of which already achieved 10,000 supporters, and the others are well on their way: the Boat Repair Shop, the Boat House Diner, and the Dive Shop. He also submitted some suggested add-on structures like a pier, and an alternate snow-covered Old Fishing Store. Robert is clearly an expert LEGO builder with a style that a lot of people really like and can relate to. The models perfectly capture the idyllic scene of a small fishing village in the style of the more detailed and realistic LEGO Modular Buildings Series. I’m curious to see if LEGO would consider adding the other buildings as well and make this into a collectible series – in spite of their current policies.
Also, remember that there are three upcoming LEGO Ideas sets from previous review periods that should be released fairly soon. The Beatles Yellow Submarine, the Brick-Built Adventure Time Figures, and the Apollo 11 Saturn-V (another unusually large model with over 1,000 pieces).
Also, the next batch of LEGO Ideas projects is already in review. These are the project that reached 10,000 supporters between May and September of this year. It is an unusually large review period with twelve submissions. Looking forward to seeing what LEGO decides. The results will be shared sometime in early 2017. And of course you can also check out the currently available LEGO Ideas sets originally submitted by LEGO fans at the LEGO Ideas section of the Online LEGO Shop.
So what do you think of review results? Which projects did you vote for? And how do you like the Old Fishing Store? Are you planning to get it when it becomes available? Would you like to see other sets in this style? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below! 😉
And you might also like to check out the following related posts:
I wish the Jedi High Council made it
Yeah, that one was nice too. But it is unlikely LEGO will ever approve a SW Ideas project. 😉
I really like the Old Fishing Store, and I do hope that Lego plans to make this a line. I am a big fan of the Boat House Diner too.
I am freakin’ beside myself with excitement! I LOVE all the stuff this guy has designed! I love the originality of it. I think it has charm out the wazoo even though fishing is nowhere on my personal list of priorities.
I think Lego should hire this guy and put out anything that crosses his blinking mind because this is the very first thing in the 40 or so years I’ve been buying Legos that I CAN. NOT. WAIT. to buy for myself. …and I will also buy a dust-free display cabinet to put them in if Lego will market his beautiful, weathered shoreline world.
I want to live in RobenAnne’s world!
Oh! And very conflicted about the upcoming group. I love the under construction modular, the Merchant’s House and the Little House on the Prairie farm in equal measure.
TOUGH choice for Lego!!! There are very clever designers and builders out there!
BTW, is there any particular reason why they can only do one when some things are clearly superior quality and provoking demand?
OK. I’m done now. …except to say GREAT to see you online again as I’m taking that as an indication that all is well — or manageable — in your world. Hoping to hear confirmation that you’re good.
Yeah, all is well here. Just hauled out some broken big branches for pickup this morning. Our county was pretty much spared. Only about 5000 people out of power, and some downed trees. Nothing out of the ordinary for a storm around here. We have had much bigger ones already this year.
It is the Jacksonville – St. Augustine area that was hit really hard. I have a lot of friends in Crescent Beach and St. Augustine and what they went through (and still going through) is absolutely devastating. I will try to drive over there this weekend and see what’s going on and if I can help in any way.
The weather has been beautiful ever since the storm, which is fortunate, as clean-up crews can work without interruption. Pleasant mid-80s, sunny, with no rain or wind.
I remember how beautiful FL skies were! Glad to hear you’re back to ’em! And good thoughts for all the folks who are working on clean up and worse.
You mean only choosing one per review period, or choosing one when there is clearly a series?
If it is the first question, that LEGO has chosen more than one project per period already, so yeah, they could do that again.
If it is the second question, there is only one precedent of LEGO starting an entire series from an Ideas set; the original Minecraft submission. However only the first set is considered to be under the Ideas theme. The rest are just Minecraft sets and the original submitted does not receive a commission.
I see no reason however why LEGO couldn’t revise their rules for LEGO Ideas (they have done it many times already), and if the Fishing Store sells well, add the other ones to the collection. I think it is quite possible.
I meant more than one per quarter. But, since you mention it, if someone does excellent work, for example, the pop-up book following on the marble maze, I don’t see that having been selected once should preclude having an outstanding project also chosen at some future date.
Yes, of course, people can have more than one project approved. And as far as how many LEGO Ideas sets get picked and released per year, my understanding is that has a lot to do with logistics, budgeting, marketing, manpower and more. LEGO Ideas sets are limited release, so there are only so much resources LEGO can put towards them. However if LEGO Ideas sets become extremely successful as to rival with regular releases, I’m sure LEGO would be interested to increase the facilities given to the department. LEGO themselves are in the learning process in this collaborative venture. It is actually quite revolutionary. I mean, how many companies allow their products to be co-created by their customers? 🙂
LOL! Love your excitement! I agree that this entire series is very display-worthy. Frankly, for me here in Florida, it would a lot more realistic and appropriate that then the current modular line. And yes, LEGO should offer Rob and Anne a job. They are a wonderfully creative couple. 🙂
Do they work together? I didn’t know that and I wouldn’t want to shortchange her contribution.
I know I dressed someone down online for thinking RobenAnne was a guy and then Robert responded that he was, indeed, a guy who shared an internet address with his wife. If she’s part of the design team I applaud them both!
I’m right there with you this is the first Ideas set that has really grabbed me in this way. My excitement for this set is only matched by my excitement for the Assembly Square modular that I can’t wait to finally get my hands on. I really think this set would be an amazing start to a seaside modular spinoff series. The hope of a series is what really has me excited. It’s still great by itself, but with all the others it makes a beautiful scene. What would any modular be without all the others? They support and accent each other magnificently, and that is why I love them so much.
A series like that would be amazing! I think it will very much depend on how the first one sells. If enough people like it, LEGO might consider releasing the whole series. The second set is under the latest review period, so we shall see… fingers crossed. 🙂
The fact that LEGO approved such a parts-heavy model is interesting. The Saturn-V aside, I doubt they’d release a set of this size in Ideas. Therefore, I guess they will cut the Fishing Store’s size in half and leave off a bunch of details. That’s what I expect, although I will be very happy if my guess is untrue. As it is now, I really like the Old Fishing Store, the detail in the siding really makes it realistic looking. I don’t see how it fits with the Christmas theme, although the snow covered version probably fixes that. The other models he’s posted look great as well, and they could easily be put together into a epic display. And they are in a cohesive theme, unlike LEGO’s normal modulars. 🙂
Also, speaking of the Yellow Submarine: http://brickset.com/article/23950/21306-the-beatles-yellow-submarine-revealed It’s ridiculous but awesome at the same time. I note a lot of interesting and rare parts, and 2017 parts.
According to the LEGO Ideas Guidelines (see here: https://ideas.lego.com/guidelines), they accept and would entertain making projects that contain up to a maximum of 3,000 pieces. So both the Saturn-V and the Old Fishing Store fits well below that threshold, so I could very well see LEGO releasing the Fishing Store as it is (with some minor changes of course).
I don’t see the connection between the Christmas sets and the fishing village either, but that’s what inspired the creator, so that’s just how it is. Sometimes inspiration comes in weird ways.
The Yellow Submarine turned out really sweet. As you said, so many nice parts! I can see this project to be very popular with oldies! 😀
True, yes. I had forgotten that. I keep thinking Ideas sets are small sets ($70 and below), but they are getting bigger. So maybe LEGO is going to produce it at full size; that would be great. 🙂
The Yellow Sub looks to be a fun build with lots of slopes and other parts in new colors. I’m not too keen on the minifigs (or the Scurrier thing), but they’re not bad. I do like the cloud-stand for the Sub, though.
Yeah, I don’t really care for the figures either. But I’m not really a Beatles fan anyway. My Dad would love them though, as he has the original album and was a big fan. I’m happy about those slopes and pipes however!
I wrote to Lego immediately and congratulated then on their choice. I said I’d be happy to pay what it eventually costs if they would leave it alone and market it just as it was designed.
At least the Lego employee who responded agreed completely. So let them know how you feel about it. It might make a difference!
Ah, the year 2017… I just noted it contained 550 pieces… *-_-;*
Looks pretty cool, though. I wonder if the parts are printed or stickered…
All LEGO Ideas sets are fully printed, so the sub should be printed as well. 😉
So is the Fishing Shack the biggest idea set so far? It’s always amusing watching these absolutely gigantic ideas submissions go through knowing that Lego is never going to approve them.
I think they made it more clear recently that they will never approve a set based on a license they already have, because a lot of the passed-over submissions have been those, too.
I think the only one in this batch that would have been up in the air is Johnny Five. They’ve done lots with 80’s film favorites so far, and Wall-E showed they are willing to do cute movie robots. We can’t know what happened behind the scenes, but perhaps they made inquiries into getting the license for Short Circuit and couldn’t.
Yeah, Johnny Five had a good chance, but perhaps with WALL-E still available, they didn’t want to release another robot. As I mentioned in a previous comment, recently LEGO made it clear that they would accept projects up to 3,000 pieces, which actually allows quite large submissions. 😀
I suspect that, however we interpret the guidelines, excellence and consumer appeal will always be one of the most important considerations.
YELLOW SUBMARINE PICS HAVE BEEN REVEALED!