YMCA Lego Logo

When it comes to interesting and unique graphic displays, we’re used to problem solving. This giant Lego logo we built for the new YMCA Child Care facility in Vaughan might be our most memorable challenge yet. We had all played with Lego for fun, but none of us had ever built something five feet tall. Lots of research and planning was necessary for this project to come to fruition. We scoured the internet for tips, tricks, and inspiration from Lego fans from around the world.

We used a program called BrickLink Studio to build a 3D model of our project. It was an incredibly useful tool that helped break down the exact quantities of bricks we needed, as well as work out any structural problems that could potentially arise from building something so large. After a few drafts, we ended up with 3765 total bricks! We placed our order with Lego and waited patiently for seven weeks for the bricks to arrive all the way from the Lego warehouses in Denmark.

Once the pieces arrived, we got to work building. Using our 3D model as a guide, it took hours to assemble. We had to make sure each brick was tightly locked together so they wouldn’t accidentally come apart. We also reinforced the edge pieces with glue – sorry Lego enthusiasts! We hope you’ll forgive us. Once the Lego was assembled, we created backer panels for support and strength, as well as mounting the logo on the wall.

We left a few pieces off the ends so that the Y's retiring president and little helpers could finish building the logo together. The logo was then installed at the new Vaughan facility just in time for the grand opening. The project was a lot of fun, and absolutely worth the effort!

Later on, we were asked to do a second logo out of Lego for a different YMCA location. This logo was a little smaller, and worked out to be 1863 bricks – about half as many as the first.

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