Building with LEGO is more than a hobby for Adam Mael; it’s a journey of creativity and passion that has captivated audiences both in person and online. In late 2020, Mael completed an impressive LEGO replica of the Diag and surrounding areas on Central Campus, a project that took nearly three years to finish and continues to draw admiration.
“I was blown away by the response the project got and still gets,” remarked Mael, a Ph.D. program coordinator in the Department of Mechanical Engineering’s Academic Services Office. His work was initially a personal endeavor, but its reception exceeded his expectations.
Since completing the Central Campus piece, Mael has embarked on numerous other LEGO projects. He’s known for starting and pausing many ideas, yet the pieces he completes continue to astonish audiences. Mael enjoys sharing his work with people and appreciates the admiration it receives, noting, “I had the chance to display it a few times and really love getting to see people’s reaction and talk with them about the model.”
More U-M Creations
Mael’s work quickly caught the attention of the Alumni Association, which shared his Central Campus project on Facebook with great fanfare. The success of this led to the association commissioning Mael to create LEGO versions of The Cube, also known as “Endover,” and a Michigan football helmet for display in its newly remodeled building.
Inspired to try a closer-to-home project, Mael attempted to replicate the kinetic sculpture “3 Cubes in a Seven Axis Relationship” in front of the G.G. Brown Building. After encountering structural challenges, he adapted by using CNC machined aluminum LEGO pieces.
Mael finds inspiration in everyday surroundings. “A lot of times I walk through the world and see things in LEGO,” he said, indicating how his mind conceptualizes buildings and objects as potential LEGO creations.
One of his significant undertakings was a LEGO replica of the national championship trophy, inspired by the 2023 Michigan football team’s triumph. With special gold LEGO bricks and around 3,500 pieces, Mael managed to create a model about two-thirds the size of the original trophy.
Closer to Home
While Mael’s work on LEGO trophies and campus models is impressive, his true favorites are the mosaics of his golden retrievers, Maple and Willow. Crafted with a mix of traditional and abstract LEGO pieces, these mosaics taught Mael about texture and color layering.
For his mosaic of Willow, Mael spent about five months using approximately 7,000 pieces. In 2023, he created a more complex version for Maple, which required nearly double the pieces and showcased his advanced technique.
Brick Bash
Brick Bash, a popular LEGO-building event, has been a platform for Mael to showcase his creations. The event supports the Skyline High School band program and draws LEGO enthusiasts from various locations. Mael has displayed his works here, but this year, he plans to bring something new.
He has crafted minifigure habitats inspired by Taylor Swift’s songs, each on an 8-by-8 base. His creations depict varied scenes, such as “Romeo” calling to “Juliet” for “Love Story” and a beekeeper for the song “Honey.” These works offer a quick creative outlet for Mael and connect his love for music and LEGO.
Mael is also considering delivering LEGO creations, like large croissants for his family’s bakery in Brooklyn, and is exploring ideas for future projects inspired by Michigan’s athletic achievements.
