What is a community build?
For our 10th anniversary as Dutchbricks in 2025, we have not only started organising Bricktopia World, but we have also launched an initiative to create a so-called “Community build” with the members of the association.
Community build means that we, together with (some of) our members, are jointly designing and realising a large structure (or collection of structures). The entire process, from coming up with ideas to ultimately exhibiting the end result, is done together. It is a fun challenge that involves regular meetings to brainstorm designs and, once all the necessary LEGO® bricks have been ordered, to build together.
The idea that most members who wanted to participate in our community build were enthusiastic about in 2024 was to build a layout entirely in LEGO® of Maastricht's most appealing location: “het Vrijthof”. The plan was to recreate this beautiful city centre on a scale of 1:40 and exhibit it during our event on 17 and 18 May 2025 at the MECC Maastricht.
The Vrijthof in LEGO®
The complete layout ultimately measures approximately 4 by 4 metres. In addition to the considerable time, energy and enjoyment invested in the project, purchasing the tens of thousands of LEGO® bricks required for this unique layout was naturally a costly undertaking. We are therefore proud that we managed to complete this project exactly as desired in a relatively short period of time.
The history of the Vrijthof is unique in the Netherlands due to its continuous use since Roman times. There are 38 national monuments on the square, including St. John's Church, St. Servatius Basilica, the Hoofdwacht, the Generaalshuis and the Spanish Government. As an extra twist, we felt that the backdrop of the André Rieu concerts (held there every summer) should also be included in LEGO® form on this famous square.
Enjoying the beautiful end result
Below you will find a photo impression of the end result as it was presented during Bricktopia World (click on a photo in the gallery to view it in full). A report made by RTV Maastricht during a joint building day is also worth looking back at.
.jpeg)
On behalf of the members who contributed to this community build (and the association in general), we would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who came to see “Het Vrijthof in LEGO®”. It was wonderful to see and hear so many positive reactions about our community build, both online and during Bricktopia World.
 Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_17Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Gijs Janssen. |  Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_12 |  Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_03_FOCUSS_22Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Jean-Pierre Geusens (FOCUSS 22) | focuss22.nl |
|---|---|---|
 Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_04_FOCUSS_22Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Jean-Pierre Geusens (FOCUSS 22) | focuss22.nl |  Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_02_FOCUSS_22Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Jean-Pierre Geusens (FOCUSS 22) | focuss22.nl |  Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_06_FOCUSS_22Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Jean-Pierre Geusens (FOCUSS 22) | focuss22.nl |
 Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_18Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Gijs Janssen. |  Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_07_FOCUSS_22Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Jean-Pierre Geusens (FOCUSS 22) | focuss22.nl |  Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_08_FOCUSS_22Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Jean-Pierre Geusens (FOCUSS 22) | focuss22.nl |
 Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_19Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Gijs Janssen. |  Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_10_FOCUSS_22Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Jean-Pierre Geusens (FOCUSS 22) | focuss22.nl |  Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_11_FOCUSS_22Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Jean-Pierre Geusens (FOCUSS 22) | focuss22.nl |
 Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_16Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Gijs Janssen. |  Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_15Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Gijs Janssen. |  Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_14Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Gijs Janssen. |
 Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_13Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Gijs Janssen. |  Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_05_FOCUSS_22Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Jean-Pierre Geusens (FOCUSS 22) | focuss22.nl |  Dutchbricks_Community_Build_Vrijthof_2025_01_FOCUSS_22Het Vrijthof in LEGO® | Foto gemaakt door Jean-Pierre Geusens (FOCUSS 22) | focuss22.nl |