Sometime during the pandemic, I started noticing pictures of gorgeous modular MOCs posted on my local LEGO Facebook groups. Kim Plata, a Filipino AFOL, was making modular MOCs from LEGO’s modular models. It was so interesting to see him turn the parts from a LEGO set into something new, and yet, somehow familiar. As pandemic restraints lifted in Manila, I was able to meet Kim and even collaborate with him on an exhibit for the iMake History Fortress. In recent years, I’ve seen Kim’s work evolve and become even more elaborate, true masterpieces that reflect the skill, passion, and precision of a true artisan—fittingly living up to the name of Brick Artisan.

Kim’s builds from Left to right: tudor and apothecary, corner castle, and modular malfor manor.

I was finally able to spend time with Kim and chat with him about his work at the recently held BrickCon.PH. I loved his display, which was a whole neighborhood of modular MOCs. He was so willing to share his work process and his story as a LEGO builder. He even gamely lifted up whole sections of his display to show me what was inside his MOCs. It was definitely one of my most fun interviews, and I’m glad I get to share it with you all!

I got to chat with him about the role LEGO plays in his life.

Getting to Know Kim

Inez: Hi Kim! Could you tell us about yourself? What’s your day job and where are you from?

Kim: My name is Kim (a.k.a. Brick Artisan to the LEGO community). I was born and raised in Batangas, Philippines. I’m a civil engineer but I mostly worked on oil and gas/heavy lifting companies. My current day job is being a freelance designer of miniature buildings and toys using LEGO bricks as the medium.

Inez: Did you love LEGO as a child? What was your first LEGO set?

Kim: I bought my first LEGO when I was 5 or 6 years old. My siblings and I enjoyed playing with LEGO for a few years before entering our dark ages in high school. I came back to LEGO in January 2020 after building a Ninjago set for my nephew in December 2019.

My first LEGO set was a car set 6644. Even with just a few pieces, I experimented with it when I was a kid.

Inez: When did you start building your MOCs?

Kim: I started building MOCs when I was a kid. I would disassemble my sets and try out different builds. They were very basic, but they included a small house and a restaurant. During the pandemic, I started building alternate modular buildings from my LEGO modular sets.

Inspiration & Style

Inez: Your modulars are absolutely stunning! The details are so meticulous. Who or what inspires your architectural style when you create modulars?

Kim: Thank you. A lot of people and things have inspired me in my designs. First, the beautiful official modular buildings and the different techniques that I’ve learned from building them. There are real life buildings that I’ve seen during my travels. Other builders on YouTube and brick designers on Instagram have also helped me with styles and techniques.

Inez: Do you see LEGO building more as an art form, a design challenge, or a storytelling tool—or all three?

Kim: Definitely all three. It’s an expression of my passion for the arts and architecture. It’s a way to channel my creativity. Whenever I see a set released by LEGO, I challenge myself to improve upon it or create something different. By combining different sets and MOCs, I’m able to create scenes and stories that my family and friends get to enjoy.

The consulate, made from Lego’s Notra dame de paris (21061)

Creative Process & Design Approach

Inez: Can you share your creative process with us? How do you decide on what to build, and how do you make your models?

Kim: The first part is deciding whether to take an existing set, and create different or to design from scratch. If it’s an existing set, I would then check if I would improve it (a modification) or create an alternate design from it. I look at the pieces and check if there are special parts that I can use for the center piece or the main inspiration for the whole building. Sometimes I would look at pictures of real buildings or types of establishments for further inspiration.

Inez: Do you build them on the computer first before making actual models?

Kim: When I was just starting as a designer, I used to build it first in real life, doing trial and error before I translated it into digital form. But as I got more used to the Stud.io software, I found myself designing the MOC digitally first, then doing a trial build. There are times that I don’t even do actual builds, just digital designs.

Inez: Which comes first for you—function (playability) or form (aesthetic detail)?

Kim: It’s hard to decide. I try my best to balance function and form, but if I really had to choose when designing, I’d choose the function (playability). LEGO means “play well” not “display well.”

Inez: You’ve got 280 instructions available on Rebrickable—that is super amazing! Making instructions is a whole different kind of skill from building. How did you learn to make instructions?

Kim: Thanks. I started designing and creating instructions in August/September 2020 and I’m still learning even now. It wasn’t easy. I’ve used Stud.io almost every day since 2020. I think my engineering background and previous jobs helped with the thought process for creating instructions and skills in the computer. Practice, practice, practice!

Inez: Have you ever collaborated with other builders, or would you like to in the future?

Kim: I’ve collaborated with different LEGO YouTubers and social media influencers for different designs and it’s awesome to see the designs built and added to LEGO cities around the world. I would love to be able to collaborate more with other designers and builders, if the opportunity presents itself. Any of the official LEGO designers would be amazing, especially a modular building designer.

Favorites & Personal Picks

Inez: Do you have any favorite MOCs? And why are they your favorite?

Kim: Sure! Here’s my top three:

SitComplex—a modification of two Central Perk sets plus one Friends Apartments set and about a thousand extra parts. It changed my life drastically from designing LEGO as a fun side hustle to a full-time job. It introduced me to a lot of opportunities, and I got to know many people around the world because of it. It’s my most well-known design to date.

Birch Bank—an original design of a curved modular building. I bought some wedge plates from BrickLink just because they were very cheap, not knowing what I’d do with them. One night of trial building, experimenting with different techniques and pieces, and a “Eureka!” moment resulted in one of my most unique designs so far.

Beekeeper’s Shop—a small MOC that came from 41703 Friendship Tree House. It’s not as big or as grand as other designs but it showed that something beautiful can come from unexpected things. Before that MOC, the Friends theme was mostly frowned upon due to their colors being too bright and loud. But now, whenever I see a Friends set, I look at the possibilities.

Inez: If you could live inside one of your modulars, which one would you choose?

Kim: SitComplex for sure. Living with TV show and movie characters as my neighbors would be so fun!

Dreams & Future Plans

Inez: Do you have a dream LEGO set?

Kim: Minifig scale Pokémon buildings like a Pokemon center, Pokemart, Pokegyms with molded LEGO Pokémon (not brick built, nor BrickHeadz). Imagine, CMF series of Ash, Prof. Oak and the gym leaders with one partner Pokémon each… the phrase “shut up and take my money” comes into mind.

Inez: If LEGO asked you to design an official Ideas set, what would you propose?

Kim: A Naruto-based building would be nice, but if it’s something that would represent the Philippines, maybe a Bahay Kubo (Nipa Hut) would be interesting.

Inez: What's next for Brick Artisan? Any chance you'll share with us your plans for future builds?

Kim: I’m designing non-stop. There were a lot of sets that were released in August 2025, so I am working on making MOCs from those sets. It’s very hard to say what since inspiration can kick in anytime and change the design process.

Inez: As a last question, do you have any advice for future builders?

Kim: Do what you can with what you have. Everyone has their own limitations with parts, funds, space, time, etc. Do not let those limitations ruin your creativity and resourcefulness. Also: Don’t focus on what it should be, re-imagine what it can be. Don’t set limitations on what a piece can be or what a set can look like. See beyond that and use your creativity to make something better. I’ve designed modular buildings from sets that people never imagined would be possible to use…so can you.

Inez: That’s great advice, and I’ll definitely be following that for my own builds. Thanks again, Kim!

What MOCs have you made with your LEGO sets? What modifications have you made on LEGO sets to make them your own? Tell us about it in the comments below!

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