DD Bricks recently had the privilege of sitting down with Simon, a talented young builder from Germany who has made his mark on the New Hashima project. At just 21 years old, Simon has brought fresh ideas and incredible creativity to one of the largest collaborative LEGO® endeavors in the world. His journey is a testament to passion and dedication, and we’re excited to share his story with you.
When you meet Simon, one thing becomes immediately clear: this is someone who loves what he does. A 21-year-old from Germany, Simon has quickly carved out a place for himself in the world of LEGO® builders. But don't let his age fool you—Simon’s talent, creativity, and dedication have already left an impact on New Hashima, one of the largest collaborative LEGO projects out there.
Simon’s LEGO journey began like many others: building sets straight out of the box. But everything changed when he tackled the massive Ninjago market set. “After building that set, I was inspired to create something of my own,” he shared. Limited by a smaller collection of physical bricks, Simon turned to digital building through Bricklink Studio. This decision not only honed his skills but also caught the attention of Stefan, one of the organizers of New Hashima.
From Digital Dreams to Global Collaboration
Simon’s LEGO journey began a few years ago, transitioning from building sets with instructions to designing his own creations. “It all started when I built one of the big Ninjago sets,” he shared. “After that, I wanted to build something of my own, but I didn’t have a big collection of bricks at the time, so I turned to digital building in BrickLink Studio.”
Joining the New Hashima Team
Stefan from New Hashima reached out to Simon in late 2022, inviting him to join the New Hashima Discord server and contribute to the project. The timing couldn’t have been better. By mid-2023, Simon was on his way to Brickworld Chicago, carrying his very first physical contribution to the collaborative layout—a towering cyberpunk structure.
“It was my first time at a LEGO convention, my first time flying alone, and my first time outside of Europe,” Simon recalled. Despite some initial challenges—like his build getting damaged during transit—Simon rose to the occasion. “Most of it was destroyed, but I rebuilt everything in the hotel lobby,” he said. The sight of LEGO builders reconstructing intricate pieces became an attraction of its own, drawing curious onlookers from another event at the venue.
Why New Hashima is Unique
New Hashima is no ordinary LEGO project. Its scale and collaboration set it apart. “The thing that stood out to me immediately was the level of detail,” Simon explained. “I saw a video of their layout at the Virginia convention, and I was just amazed. To see something this big with such high levels of detail.”
Another standout feature of New Hashima is the "dark hour" at conventions, where the lights go off, and the builds light up.
“When the lights are off, the city comes to life,” Simon said with excitement. “It’s like a huge Christmas tree."
The Magic of Collaboration
For Simon, it’s the teamwork that makes New Hashima special. “Everyone gives 110%,” he said.
“Builders help each other with parts, ideas, and feedback to make sure every piece fits perfectly into the larger vision. It’s a huge group effort.”
What sets New Hashima apart is its focus on collaboration. Builders from all over the world work together to create a sprawling cyberpunk city, coordinating every detail through Discord. “It’s more than just building—it’s about learning and growing together,” Simon said. “The feedback I got from the team really helped me improve.”
Simon’s contributions didn’t stop at building. Over time, he became involved in organizing the European conventions, taking on responsibilities like coordinating layouts and ensuring structural details—like lighting and cable connections—were properly managed.
“When you’re organizing, you realize how much work happens behind the scenes,” he said. “It’s a lot, but it’s worth it when everything comes together.”
For Simon, the most rewarding part of New Hashima has been the sense of community. “Everyone is so passionate and willing to help,” he said. Whether it’s sharing parts, troubleshooting builds, or simply offering encouragement, the New Hashima team embodies the spirit of collaboration.
This supportive environment has been key to Simon’s growth as a builder. “Before this project, I mostly built digitally and didn’t interact much with other builders,” he admitted. “Being part of New Hashima gave me a reason to build physically and connect with others. It’s been a huge learning experience.”
Our Connection with Simon
We’re proud to play a small role in projects like New Hashima. For the European conventions, we were able to help with about 10 kilograms of extra LEGO bricks to help the team make last-minute adjustments. Simon appreciated the support, noting, “It’s great to have partners like DD Bricks.”
Simon also highlighted how our selection of used LEGO pieces has been particularly helpful for his builds.
“With the cyberpunk aesthetic, even discolored parts can add character,” he said. “Being able to request specific types of bricks, like sun-damaged ones, makes a big difference.”
Access to bulk quantities of unique and even pre-loved parts from sources like DD Bricks has been a game-changer, helping him bring his intricate designs to life.
What’s Next for Simon?
Simon is eager to continue pushing his creative boundaries. “I’ve been building for New Hashima for two years now, and I’m also thinking about trying something different, like maybe a spaceship,” he shared. While exploring new ideas, Simon remains deeply committed to New Hashima and the incredible community it has built.