LEGO just announced the latest in the LEGO Winter Village series, the #10275 LEGO Creator Expert Elf Clubhouse. It was designed by Chris McVeigh, a LEGO fan who was already well known for his Christmas-themed LEGO creations and books even before he was hired by LEGO. The set will be available on September 23rd. Below is the press-release, as well as an interview with Chris.
Experience the magic of Christmas this holiday season and discover the quaint cottage that is home to Santa’s Elves, with the latest LEGO holiday set – the #10275 LEGO Creator Expert Elf Clubhouse. Jam-packed with seasonal touches, the LEGO Elf Club House allows families to immerse themselves in the fantasy world of holiday season, and create a new festive building tradition.
The LEGO Elf Clubhouse is a truly magical set with festive features. They offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of Santa’s little helpers – including a waffle machine to help them refuel after a long day of toy making, a brick-built repositionable chimney, and even a ‘sleighport’ to park the elf’s sleigh in ready to load up with presents for adults and children alike.
This brand-new holiday set is the perfect festive family tradition and a way for families (naughty or nice) to enjoy the magic of the holiday season and build together to bring their ultimate Christmas fantasy to life. Deck the halls with the LEGO Elf Clubhouse Christmas Tree, which is brimming with colorful baubles, sneak under the Christmas tree a selection of toys and small gifts the elves have prepared for each other, and watch Santa’s sleigh take off into the night sky with the telescope. You can even use the computer to track who has been naughty and who’s nice!
The LEGO Elf Clubhouse measures at 8.5” (22cm) high and 5” (13cm) deep, and makes a stunning display piece. It even includes a LEGO light-brick to help illuminate the festive scene. Add it to other sets in the LEGO Winter Village collection, including the #10267 LEGO Creator Expert Gingerbread House and the #10263 LEGO Creator Expert Winter Village Fire Station to create a decorative festive display.
The Elf Club House is the latest creation from LEGO fan turned official LEGO designer, Chris McVeigh. Below is the Q&A with Chris McVeigh, the LEGO designer behind the LEGO Elf Clubhouse as well as LEGO Brick Sketches, which is another product line he designed.
➡ What was your inspiration for the LEGO Elf Clubhouse? – I thought it would be great fun to explore the world of Santa’s elves. Where do they go after a hard day’s work making toys? What do they do for fun? Do they give gifts to each other for Christmas? In terms of architecture, the set was inspired by both alpine chalets and Tudor-style homes, with a dash of Christmas magic for good measure.
➡ What is your favorite element of this set? – The reindeer, which is all-new with this set! I like to call her Brixen!
➡ Are there any Easter eggs or interesting designing anecdotes you can tell us about the set? – Before working for LEGO, I was known for building old computers out of LEGO bricks. So, I thought it would be a fun nod to my past to include a small brick-build computer in this set.
➡ How do you find your inspiration for the holiday sets? – Christmas has always been a special time of year for my family and so I have many warm memories to look back on. And if I am ever struggling, listening to a Christmas carol like Silver Bells or Winter Wonderland will instantly put me in the right frame of mind!
➡ What is your inspiration for the Brick Sketches models that you have also been designing? – A few years ago, I was part of an artists group on a social media platform, and at the time, a number of talented artists in the group were creating amazing marker sketches on small cardstock as way to promote their artwork. I thought it would be fun to participate, but I wanted to put my own spin on it. So, I created what I called a “Brick Sketch”, which was a LEGO character portrait on a 12×16 canvas. Although the first one I posted was a bit tongue-in-cheek, people reacted so positively that I was encouraged to build more!
➡ How long have you been building with LEGO brick products for? – I spent much of my childhood building towns and cities out of LEGO. But like many people, I set LEGO aside during my teenage years as I focused on school and university. Thankfully, I was given two small LEGO Star Wars sets as part of a gift exchange in 2006. These were the first two sets I’d built in over a decade, and thy put me on a path that would bring me to Billund. (And thank you, Jason, and Stephanie, for the #7139 LEGO Star Wars Ewok Attack and the #7251 LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader Transformation!)
➡ How did it feel to turn your passion as a LEGO fan into a full-time job? – It has been an amazing journey, really. I feel very fortunate.
➡ How did this opportunity come about and how did you get LEGO’s attention? – Although many people at LEGO were aware of my work as a fan designer, I went through the normal recruitment process to get my design job.
➡ What is the process you go through when designing a new set like the Elf House? – I like to start by sketching concepts. It helps me articulate shapes and explore different styles. Once I have some solid ideas, I start building physical models. It is then a matter of refining the build and adding lots of fun little details.
➡ What’s the biggest challenge with building a holiday set? – The roof. Finding just the right angle and coming up with a clever way of mounting the roofs is a huge challenge. But it is very rewarding when you engineer something that works well.
➡ Favorite building technique used in this set? – The Elf Clubhouse has several interesting techniques. I think my favorite is using the 1×2 rounded plate to create a wreath. And although it is less visible, I am also pleased with the staggering of the 1x1x5 bricks in the chimney to give it added structural stability.
➡ What advice would you give to aspiring LEGO designers? – Keep building! The more you build, the more you understand the full range of possibilities with LEGO bricks. Also keep an eye out for new elements and how you can use them to improve your models. How you present your model is also important, so take time to learn about photography, experiment with lighting, and do not be afraid to trying something different!
The #10275 LEGO Creator Expert Elf Clubhouse comes with 1,197 pieces and recommended for ages 18+. It will be available on September 23rd at official LEGO stores and the Online LEGO Shop. Prices are as follows: £84.99, €94.99, $99.99. You can already find it, along with the other holiday-themed sets, at the seasonal section of the Online LEGO Shop.
What do you think? How do you like the LEGO Elf Clubhouse? Do you collect the LEGO Winter Village sets? Are you planning to add this latest addition? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below!
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