It’s not just a tribute to the M-Tron colours, though. True to the spirit of classic LEGO space, it’s absolutely packed with play features! There’s a smaller autonomous walker tucked away on top, and of course we have the customary magnet. But my personal favourite is the little rover hidden in the back! See, M-Tronians? Aren’t walkers brilliant?

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The Toyota GR Yaris was developed specifically for the World Rally Championship, using a three-door bodyshell better suited for rally performance. All three of those doors on Mihail’s model open, revealing an engine bay and interior that are just as detailed as the external shaping! Everything is immediately recognisable, from the three-segment headlights to the position of ancillaries in the engine bay. Check out the ice-cream piece used as a turbocharger towards the back of the engine!

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But do that they can, and thanks to the SHIPtember tradition of posting WIP shots, we can see how Matrix managed it – and, indeed, where the ship’s whole concept comes from! It started, it seems, from these links made up of Technic frames. As might be expected for a build this big, Technic plays a pretty important structural role in the central column, too. I’m sorely tempted to have a go at making something similar now!

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LEGO Icons 11388 Venetian Neighbourhood | 5,682 Pieces | Available November 1 | US $549.99 | CAN $779.99 | UK £449.99

Celebrate Italy’s rich cultural and architectural heritage with the LEGO® Icons Venetian Neighbourhood (11388) travel décor building set – a perfect gift idea for adults and travel lovers.

Unwind as you create a captivating canal-side scene, complete with a luxury villa, an artisan glassblowing workshop and astronomical clock tower. Play notes on the 3D-printed street piano, sail a gondola beneath the arched bridge and bring stories to life with 17 colourful characters, including gondoliers, carnival-goers, tourists and musicians. Remove floors and roofs to reveal detailed interior spaces and easily separate and rearrange sections to explore different display layouts for the home or office.

Discover a space for relaxation with the inspiring range of LEGO® Icons advanced building sets (sold separately) designed for adults. Build this city diorama with confidence using the LEGO Builder app, where you can rotate models in 3D, zoom in and track your progress.

Set contains 5,682 pieces.

LEGO Icons 40898 Venetian Water Taxi | 322 Pieces | Free GWP with purchases of 11388 between November 1

Bring a touch of Venice to your home or office with this LEGO® Icons Venetian Water Taxi (40898) décor building set for adults and travel lovers. This fun set features a classic water taxi and a dock setting, plus captain and tourist minifigures, accessories and 2 pigeon figures for storytelling. Build it as a stand-alone model or add it to the LEGO Icons Venetian Neighbourhood (11388), a highly detailed diorama inspired by the canals and architecture of the legendary city.

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Going back to the dishes, the first part of this build I created was the frame for the main radar dish, which consists of nine red bicycle frames arranged into a circle by their handlebars, which is a detail I’d put together and then set aside because I had no place to use it at the time.

When I sat down to build this space station, however, the inspiration kickstarter was the white Ninjago spinner base, used as the end of the upper-right arm module below. This was a tricky piece to use, because it contains no traditional connection points like studs or Technic pin holes. However, it turns out to be relatively easy to wedge pieces into it, from which you can build a connection. I also used a second copy of this element with the topside showing in the central hub, where the large dish connects.

I also keep a small fleet of spaceships in reserve. When I don’t have a lot of time to build, I will sit down and put together a microscale spaceship, and then add them to larger builds later on. I particularly love the two I made for this, especially the front profile of the chunky space guppy. Most of my small spaceships begin with a single piece that catches my attention; in this case, the Bionicle Toa Inika Shoulder Armor.

You can see my previous build in my ongoing LEGO microscale space series here as well as on my Instagram.

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There are so many great details to examine, from the lime green pattern on the legs made by alternating rows of engine intakes with sideways tiles, to the dark grey baby-carriers making repeating details on either side of the head. The more you look, the more you’ll see, so it’s worth taking a look at the rest of the pics on flickr, too.

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In this guest feature, LEGO builder Mark Egorov explores the surprising history of SNOT construction through the unusual world of Modulex. Using a rare brick from the 1960s, he demonstrates how techniques we associate with modern LEGO building were already possible more than half a century ago.

But just how old is SNOT?

First, a quick refresher. SNOT stands for Studs Not On Top, a building technique in which LEGO elements are positioned with their studs facing sideways, downwards, or in practically any direction other than up. Although the technique has been around for decades, its widespread adoption came much later. By the 2010s, SNOT had become standard practice among experienced builders, and today it can be found even in relatively simple LEGO sets.

Looking back through the history of LEGO System elements, one of the earliest and most recognizable pieces associated with SNOT construction is the 4070 Modified 1 x 1 Brick with Headlight, commonly known as the headlight brick, which first appeared more than 30 years ago.

But here’s where things get interesting. The roots of sideways building go back much further than the familiar headlight brick. To find an earlier example, we need to explore one of the LEGO Group’s more unusual ventures: Modulex.

Originally developed for architects and professional model makers, Modulex was a separate building system with its own distinctive geometry. Its bricks were smaller than conventional LEGO elements, featured cubic 1:1:1 proportions, and came in a palette of relatively subdued, realistic colors better suited to architectural models. The Modulex range was far more diverse than a collection of ordinary bricks. It included unusual slopes, specialized architectural elements, and textured bricks designed to represent different building materials.

And one of those seemingly unremarkable pieces turns out to be particularly fascinating from a SNOT perspective.

Meet the Modulex Mx2315, a vertical 1×1×5 brick with grooves. One face is smooth, another features a ribbed texture, and the back is almost entirely hollow. That last detail is what makes this piece so intriguing.

The open back allows another brick to be inserted in reverse, creating a connection in an orientation that we would readily recognize today as SNOT. And this wasn’t some modern innovation. The element appeared in Modulex sets as early as 1963, long before sideways building became a familiar feature of LEGO System. There were six variations of this general grooved-brick design, but for our purposes, it’s the vertically grooved versions that deserve a closer look.

Why Modulex makes SNOT even more interesting

There’s another characteristic of Modulex that makes these unconventional connections especially useful: its geometry. Unlike conventional LEGO System bricks, Modulex bricks have a square cross-section. In other words, a 1×1×1 Modulex brick is a cube, with equal width, depth, and height. Take a look at how neatly the edges line up in the photograph below, even though the bricks are oriented in different directions. Five Modulex bricks laid end to end occupy exactly the same distance as five bricks stacked vertically. With conventional LEGO System, things aren’t quite so straightforward. A standard brick is three plates tall, and its height differs from its width. This means builders often need to account for different dimensions when rotating elements or creating sideways connections.

Modulex eliminates many of those complications. Its cubic proportions make certain sideways connections surprisingly straightforward. For example, a 1×1 opening can accommodate another brick in a different orientation without requiring elaborate height adjustments or combinations of plates to make everything line up.

This is what makes such an old, specialized element unexpectedly relevant to modern building techniques. Despite its rather peculiar appearance, the grooved brick can be used to achieve many of the effects we associate with SNOT today: subtle offsets, uneven terrain, smooth transitions between different levels, staircases, and intricate wall detailing.

And perhaps the most surprising part is that you don’t necessarily need a whole collection of these rare elements to put the idea into practice. Mark had just one of these modified Modulex bricks available for his creation. That naturally limited how far he could experiment, but even a single piece was enough to demonstrate the possibilities.

At first glance, the landscape uses a fairly familiar freeform building approach. Organic terrain, irregular edges, and unconventional connections are hardly unusual in contemporary LEGO creations. But there’s a twist. Everything on this side of the arch is built entirely from Modulex elements.

That means the underlying building principles used in this landscape were technically achievable as far back as 1963.

Think about that for a moment. The pieces needed to explore this kind of construction already existed decades before comparable techniques became commonplace among LEGO builders. Of course, that doesn’t mean nobody was experimenting with sideways connections back then. But it does demonstrate just how much untapped potential can be hidden in a seemingly ordinary element. And perhaps that’s the most fascinating thing about revisiting vintage LEGO elements.

After decades of extraordinary creations, it’s tempting to believe that builders have already discovered every possible technique. Yet sometimes all it takes is one forgotten brick from an obscure building system to challenge that assumption.

Maybe we haven’t run out of ways to build with LEGO. Maybe we simply haven’t discovered everything these old bricks can do!

The post Before the Headlight Brick: Exploring SNOT in LEGO Modulex [Feature] appeared first on The Brothers Brick.

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If you haven’t heard of Jon’s work, he’s one of the best dieselpunk aicraft builders out there. So it’s no surprise that this seaplane – inspired by the same 1930s-era art-deco vehicles as the dieselpunk aesthetic – looks absolutely terrific, from every angle! And while we often see his builds displayed on photoshopped backgrounds, we’ve picked out the ones that include that great watery base. There aren’t any fancy techniques used, but the scale combined with the careful use of parts gives this build a real sense of motion!

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You can read the press release from LEGO and Sanrio below. In the meantime, are you excited about this partnership? Which Hello Kitty characters would you like to see brought to the brick?

BILLUND, DENMARK, & TOKYO, JAPAN, 06 October 2026: Today, the LEGO Group and Sanrio Co., Ltd. reveal an exciting new partnership that will bring the characters and universe of Hello Kitty and Friends to life in LEGO^® brick form for the very first time. Fans can look forward to a wide range of new LEGO^® Sanrio products coming in 2027.

Two strong brands within the world of play and fun are coming together to create unique and playful experiences for fans. The LEGO Group is a Danish family-owned company with a 94-year history of creating fun and engaging play experiences, with the LEGO brick at its core. Sanrio is a global entertainment and lifestyle company known for creating beloved and iconic characters that inspire happiness, friendship, and connection. Together, they aim to capture the hearts of fans worldwide through exciting new LEGO sets that bring the unique world of Sanrio to life, featuring Hello Kitty alongside fan-favorite characters.

Lena Dixen, SVP Global Product Groups at the LEGO Group, said: “We’re thrilled to reveal this partnership with Sanrio and introduce the Hello Kitty and Friends characters and universe to fans in LEGO play sets for the very first time. Hello Kitty is an iconic character, an instantly recognizable, global lifestyle phenomenon that has inspired happiness across generations, and her universal appeal pairs perfectly with the imaginative power and limitless possibilities of LEGO play, we hope to create memorable moments of unforgettable fun.”

Wataru Nakatsuka, Senior Managing Director, Sanrio Co., Ltd., said: “We’re delighted to partner with the LEGO Group to reimagine our beloved characters through the joy of LEGO play. This collaboration marks an exciting milestone for Sanrio as we continue to create meaningful moments for people around the world, guided by our vision of ‘One World, Connecting Smiles’.  We look forward to seeing how this partnership will inspire creativity and bring joy across generations in the years ahead.”

Introduced in 1974, Hello Kitty has grown into one of the world’s most recognized and beloved characters, appearing on approximately 50,000 types of merchandise sold annually in over 130 countries and regions. Hello Kitty, along with many other Sanrio characters connects with audiences around the world to bring smiles through storytelling across media, consumer products, digital content, and immersive experiences, while remaining an enduring symbol of friendship, kindness, and kawaii culture for generations of fans.

Fans around the world can look forward to new products coming their way in 2027. Find out more: LEGO.com/sanrio

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LEGO Botanicals 10371 Cozy Plants | 248 Pieces | Available November 1 | US $22.99 | CAN $29.99 | UK £17.99

The LEGO Group sent The Brothers Brick an early copy of this set for review. Providing TBB with products for review guarantees neither coverage nor positive reviews.

Unboxing the set and contents

The front of the box features the two plant pots in all their coziness, while the back of the box highlights the option to switch up the plants, in line with the previous sets. I have noticed that the punch-tabs are at the bottom of the box, instead of the side. I’m not sure if that is common in other recent sets as well.

I have also spotted that you might find a different spelling depending on the region. The box I received says “cosy”, but I’ve seen it listed on LEGO.com as “cozy”. [Editor’s note – we’ll stick with “cozy” for the rest of this review, since that’s what’s on LEGO.com. Confusingly, that goes for the UK site too, where “cosy” would be more familiar!]

In the box there are three numbered bags, with numbers 1 and 2 having a smaller bag inside.
There are two instruction manuals, one for each plant, with a little introduction to the plant we are building: Momi, a chamomile plant; and Remi, a peppermint plant.

The build

In bag 1 we build the lavender pot and the chamomile plant. As with the predecessors, we build two sub-assemblies that will satisfyingly connect to the frame, with the smiley print on one side.
As you might have noticed, these new pots now have accessories. In this case, we have a warm cup of – naturally – chamomile tea. I recommend trying both sides of the macaroni piece when connecting the cup, as I noticed differences in the clutch power. We will discuss the differences with the other pots later on in the comparison section.

The chamomile plant has the same base structure with the little root, as the previous ones. There are some interesting parts usage as well, like the claws in green and the balls of wool in yellow.

Inside bag 2 we find the parts for the medium nougat pot. The build follows the expected structure set by the lavender pot, with the addition of the hinges at the back for legs. Interestingly, the legs are one plate longer compared to all the other pots

In the last bag we have the peppermint plant. More regular foliage has been used here, without unique pieces, but the result is really nice and elegant. Lastly, we are to build a simple book.

The finished model and comparisons

Happy Plants and its follow-up 11506 Rocking Plants were consistent with the sizes of the pots. With the Cozy Plants we still have one pot 6 studs tall and one 5 studs tall, but this time around there are no differences in width. The curved bottom is reserved for the standing up pots.

Now the arms are connected to studs at the front, which means no more Technic bricks and pins.
The placement of the SNOT bricks has changed slightly for each pot.

We also have an interesting improvement to the design in the middle. The tiles modified 1 x 2 with bar handles have been replaced by 2 x 2 x 2 containers. These sets allow you to swap around the plants to different pots. In the first two iterations there was always a little room for the plants to wiggle about, while with this new version, the plants sit in place a little bit better.

The pots now have a very interesting variety of colors, sizes and positions. In my opinion the Cozy Plants have the cutest poses, but it becomes more difficult to make them hold hands like with the Happy Plants. I’m not a huge fan of the rocking feature on 11506, but it can be easily modified into a static position.

The plant selection is also quite interesting. The dark green from the first set definitely sticks out. The latest four plants bring brighter colors and more interesting parts usage.

Conclusion and recommendation

With this being the third installment in the series, it is clear that this is a winner. An affordable set that brightens the mood. A perfect gift for anyone, even non-LEGO fans. Builders of all ages, experienced and beginners; everyone can appreciate the cuteness of these sets. The welcome addition of accessories enhance the Cosy Plants, opening even more the possibilities for customisation. And I can already imagine how collectors might be looking forward to seeing what colors might be coming out next.

The original Happy Plants set still holds its charm, but if you want to pick up only one of the three sets, I would recommend the Cosy Plants. If you are considering completing the collection, I have to say that they look pretty good all together. A charming and playful little LEGO Botanical corner!

LEGO Botanicals 10371 Cozy Plants | 248 Pieces | Available November 1 | US $22.99 | CAN $29.99 | UK £17.99

Check out the full gallery of pictures:

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The sugar level on display is enough to worry a dentist, and it’s only matched by the level of fun details dotted around the build. I encourage you to look around them to spot some clever LEGO parts use, but I’ll highlight my favourite: an unsuspecting baker who has ended up suspended in a gelatin window!

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