Building beyond the instructions

COEUR d'ALENE — LEGO enthusiasts, aspiring engineers, and creative builders of all ages are invited to experience a unique hands-on presentation exploring the art and science of custom LEGO design.

Local designer and builder Jeff Rutan will share his process for creating original LEGO models, At the Art & Culture Experience at the Den on June 10 at 5:15 p.m. Jeff will demonstrate how imagination and a limited set of basic building elements can be transformed into remarkably detailed aerospace creations.

Unlike many modern LEGO sets that utilize thousands of specialized pieces, Jeff specializes in what he calls "Classic Style" building — creating intricate aircraft and spacecraft models using only 22 basic LEGO bricks. This approach makes projects faster to design, more affordable to build, easier to source, and endlessly reusable for future creations.

During the presentation, attendees will get an inside look at Jeff's design process through slides, digital modeling demonstrations, and examples of completed custom models. The event will also feature a hands-on building activity where participants work in teams to construct small models using kits.

These builds are designed to be completed in 30 minutes or less, making the experience accessible to both new and experienced builders.

The presentation will be the launch of Rutan’s new group — CdABrickers — a local group dedicated to celebrating the full range of LEGO-compatible creations. The group welcomes builders of all skill levels and encourages creativity beyond traditional instruction-based building.

Several of Jeff's completed aerospace models will be on display, providing attendees with an opportunity to see firsthand what can be accomplished with basic building elements and imaginative design.

For more information and to RSVP for the event, visit: luma.com/j0lip9xm