How LEGO® Can Inspire Creativity, Ingenuity, and a Passion for Architecture

At Higginson Architects, Inc. (HAI), we believe that creativity is the foundation of great design. From the very first idea to the final structure, architecture is driven by imagination and innovation. A surprising yet powerful tool to ignite that creativity in young minds is something as simple as a LEGO® set. These colorful building blocks, which have entertained generations of children, can be much more than toys—they are a gateway to understanding architecture, engineering, and the creative process that underpins these fields.

In this blog post, we explore how LEGO® can inspire creativity and ingenuity in budding architects, and how David Higginson, AIA the founder of HAI, uses them to foster a passion for architecture in his local community during his School Career Day presentations.

The Power of LEGO®: Unlocking Creative Potential

LEGO® bricks have been used for decades as tools for imagination and learning. For children and adults alike, LEGO® offers endless possibilities, with each brick serving as a building block for a new idea, structure, or world. This aspect of the toy makes it a natural fit for inspiring creativity and ingenuity, particularly in fields like architecture.

1. Building Blocks for Imagination: The beauty of LEGO® is that it encourages users to think beyond traditional boundaries. A child can take a simple set of bricks and create anything—whether it's a futuristic skyscraper, a medieval castle, or an entire city. The ability to start with a blank slate and use modular pieces to build something entirely new mimics the design process in architecture, where every building starts with a concept and evolves through iterative design.

2. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: LEGO® play also fosters problem-solving skills, as young builders must figure out how to make their creations stable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. These problem-solving skills are essential in architecture, where designers must constantly address challenges such as structural integrity, spatial design, and functionality. LEGO® encourages children to think critically, analyze their designs, and make adjustments, helping them develop a mindset that will serve them well in architectural and engineering pursuits.

3. Spatial Awareness and Design Fundamentals: As children construct their LEGO® creations, they also develop an intuitive understanding of spatial relationships, proportions, and balance—skills that are directly transferable to architecture. Building with LEGO® helps young minds visualize how spaces work together, how objects fit within a larger framework, and how to create harmony between design elements. This hands-on learning is a powerful foundation for future architects.

David Higginson: Inspiring Future Architects with LEGO® at Career Day

David Higginson, AIA the founder of Higginson Architects, understands the power of creativity in the early stages of learning. As part of his commitment to giving back to the community, David regularly participates in School Career Day presentations in his local area, where he uses LEGO® as a tool to inspire the next generation of architects.

During these presentations, David introduces young students to the world of architecture through engaging activities involving LEGO® sets. By utilizing the simplicity and fun of LEGO® bricks, he opens up the field of architecture to students who may have never considered it as a future career.

How David Uses LEGO® to Inspire Young Minds

1. Bridging the Gap Between Imagination and Reality: One of the key lessons David teaches during these presentations is how the concepts that seem abstract or unattainable in architecture can actually be broken down into small, manageable steps. LEGO® gives students the ability to see their ideas come to life in physical form. David encourages them to think about the real-world challenges that architects face, such as budget, materials, and the environment, but shows them how to approach these challenges with creativity. It’s a perfect marriage of imaginative thinking and practical problem-solving.

2. Encouraging Persistence and Innovation: As any architect knows, not every design works the first time. One of the most important lessons David imparts during his Career Day presentations is the value of persistence. Just like with a LEGO® creation, sometimes the pieces don’t fit perfectly, or the design doesn’t work as expected. Rather than giving up, David teaches students to iterate, adjust, and improve their designs. This process of trial-and-error builds resilience and helps students understand that mistakes are simply opportunities to innovate and improve—a core principle in both architecture and life.

3. Fostering a Passion for Architecture: Most importantly, David’s use of LEGO® is about inspiring students to see the potential in themselves. It’s about showing them that the world of architecture is not as distant or unattainable as it might seem. Through his presentations, David connects the fun and creativity of building with LEGO® to the rewarding and impactful career of architecture, sparking a passion that could inspire a future generation of architects.

The Ripple Effect: Growing the Architectural Community

By using LEGO® to engage young minds in the world of design and architecture, David is not only introducing students to a potential career path but also helping to cultivate the next generation of creative thinkers. These students, who may never have thought about architecture as a career, leave the presentation with a sense of curiosity and excitement about the possibilities that lie in the world of building and design. Who knows—one of these children might grow up to be a future architect at HAI or even start their own firm, inspired by the lessons they learned from David’s LEGO®-filled Career Day presentation.

Building the Future with LEGO® and Architecture

LEGO® bricks are more than just a toy—they are a tool that can unlock creativity, foster problem-solving skills, and inspire future careers in architecture. Through his School Career Day presentations, David Higginson of HAI uses LEGO® to encourage young minds to think big, be imaginative, and understand the value of perseverance. By using these building blocks, David connects the world of architecture to the world of play, offering students a chance to see the endless possibilities of what they can create—and helping them build a foundation for their own creative futures.

Disclaimer:

LEGO® is a registered trademark of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor or endorse HAI or David Higginson. Higginson Architects, Inc. (HAI) or David Higginson are not affiliated with the LEGO Group in any official capacity. The use of LEGO®-inspired designs is for creative and illustrative purposes only.