The LEGO Master Model Builder
Every LEGOLAND® Discovery Center has its own Master Model Builder. They are in charge of all the LEGO® models built on site and some people would say they have the best job in the world!
Our Master Model Builder in Dallas / Fort Worth is Cal Walsh, and you can read all about him in his interview below.
Name:
Cal Walsh
Date of Birth:
01/09/1987
Hometown:
Grapevine, TX
Job:
Master Model Builder of LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Dallas / Fort Worth
Favorite LEGO Color:
Transparent Neon Yellow, because I think it’s such a unique color, and because it can be used for lights and flames coming out of engines.
Favorite LEGO Element:
The flat 2x2 square with a rotating center circle, because I enjoy bringing movement and life to my LEGO creations.
Favorite Food:
As an appetizer, I love spicy, hot Salsa and Chips, and Texas has some of the best! For dinner, my favorite is Alaskan King Crab legs. I must have been a fisherman in a past life! Hands down, my favorite dessert is Strawberry Ice-cream! Anywhere, Anytime! But homemade is the best!
Non-LEGO Hobbies:
When I’m not building LEGO models, I enjoy traveling and being outside. Running, playing soccer, swimming, biking, hiking, camping, Barbequing, and surfing are just a few of my favorites. I even hiked just last year for 10 weeks on the Appalachian Trail! I’ve traveled to lots of places all over the world, but my next trip will definitely have to be to see The Great Wall of China.
How did you get a job as the LEGO Master Model Builder?:
To become the LEGOLAND Discover Center Dallas/Fort Worth Master Model Builder, I competed in the “Brick Factor” competition against over 100 other very impressive LEGO builders. The competition included three rounds over two days.
The first round we were given 30 minutes to build something “Texas” themed. I built a cowboy boot with a spur and a star on the side.
The second round we were given 45 minutes to build something “Dallas Mavericks” themed. They are they NBA basketball team here in Dallas. However, I decided to think a little outside the box and chose to build on the theme of a Wild West Cowboy Gambler Maverick who probably visited Dallas back in the day. So, I built a royal straight flush card hand, (A, K, Q, J, 10) which said “GO MAVS” across the face of the cards.
The third round was held on the second day and we were given one hour to build on the theme “Something that describes you”. I built a spaceship to describe my Aerospace Engineering degree, a unicycle to describe my love of travel and playful attitude, and a tennis shoe to representing my love of running and being healthy. Altogether, they were modeled to create letters in my name, “C”, “A”, and “L”.
What is the best thing about your job?:
The best thing about my job is the daily reminder that your imagination is limitless and all you have to do to be happy is to appreciate the world like a child! Also, getting to play with LEGO all day!
What is the best LEGO model you have ever built?:
The best LEGO model I ever built was a City Police Station when I was 7 years old. I had assembled smaller models before that, but the Police Station truly inspired my love of LEGO!
What is the longest time you have spent building a LEGO model?:
Some of my creations spend months on the table before they are finished. However, I usually finish building models in a couple of days because I like to stay very focused when I’m in a creative mood.
Being a Master Model Builder must be the best job in the World! But if you could have any other job, what would you do and why?:
Being a Master Model Builder is the best job in the World, because it doesn’t get any better than going to work and getting to play all day!
My dream job is to be an Astronaut! I can only imagine how cool it would be to float weightless miles above the Earth and watch as it rotates underneath you. Maybe someday they will let me build a LEGO model in space!
Do you have a college degree?:
I received a Bachelors Degree in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin. My experiences in classes like Structural Analysis have come in very handy when building large models that require a lot of support. I have a feeling a lot of my models will be Outer space themed!