Black Nugget Park resident Reed Reavis first interacted with LEGO® building blocks over a decade ago. He had decided to tackle a Star Wars set with his son, Laurence, who was in kindergarten at the time.
Many years later, the father-son duo continue to share a passion for LEGO building. In fact, Laurence is currently studying to become an engineer.
According to Reed, building with LEGO encourages creativity and experimentation as well as basic STEM learning. The activity allows individuals to use imagination while also developing spatial reasoning and learning about structural integrity, designs and geometry.
Reed says the benefits of LEGO extend to all age groups. LEGO projects can positively impact fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem solving, teamwork, patience, development of spatial skills and much more.
He added that LEGO-based therapy has shown improvement for adults struggling with mental health challenges like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other related difficulties. The action of building with LEGO induces a naturally calming effect on the brain, helping people to heal and reduce any negative behaviors.
“[Building] takes my mind off daily stressors,” Reed said. “Before you know it, two hours have passed.”
While his son was young, Reed would buy and complete architectural LEGO sets with him. Over the years, they would experiment with trial and error to build structures from scratch. They learned how to make floor plans, outline curves versus straight lines, choose specific colors, and find particular pieces in the nearby area.
Reed especially enjoys the process of building structures and houses, which eventually transformed into a lifelong passion. Rather than utilizing instructions, he uses imagination and inspiration to build and modify items how he wants to see them. He does the same thing with LEGO car projects as well.
“Inspiration is random,” he noted. “But each build has a story.”
Reed says some of his builds take months to reach a finished project, while others can take years. He’s been working on the same car project, which started as a Tesla Model X and turned into a Mazda Miata convertible, for about five years now.
“That’s the beauty of building from scratch,” he said. “If you don’t like it, you can tear it down and start over.”
One of his recent accomplishments is a miniature replica of the Gordon House, the residence designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright in Silverton, Oregon. Reed is currently working on a build of the Kaufmann Desert House in Palm Springs designed by architect Richard Neutra. He hopes to share both projects at the Issaquah Highlands LEGO Expo, an upcoming exhibition in our community. Stay tuned for more information!
Reed loves to attend local expos such as Seattle’s BrickCon, an annual convention for LEGO enthusiasts. He said attendees look forward to meeting vendors and exhibitionists, participating in activities, showcasing their work and discussing projects with fellow hobbyists.
For people interested in trying out LEGO for the first time, he suggests going to Snapdoodle Toys & Games in Issaquah Highlands or Brick & Wheels in Bellevue or Kent to get started. Then, find a topic that interests you (superheroes, architecture, cars, plants, flowers, etc.) and build from there. Enhance the experience by connecting with other LEGO enthusiasts in the area to share ideas, builds and resources.
