A former Milwaukee resident, Todd Elliott, has captured the essence of his city’s beloved landmarks using LEGO bricks. After gaining popularity with his Brewers Famous Racing Sausages LEGO set, Elliott turned his attention to recreating the iconic Milwaukee Art Museum’s Quadracci Pavilion and its distinctive "wings." The innovative designs have garnered significant attention from LEGO enthusiasts and locals alike. Despite previous attempts by others to create a LEGO version of the museum, Elliott’s design stands out for its functional wings and accessibility through free instructions. Meanwhile, his Racing Sausages project continues to progress towards becoming an official LEGO product.

The Evolution of the Milwaukee Art Museum in LEGO

Todd Elliott’s LEGO rendition of the Milwaukee Art Museum is a testament to his dedication and creativity. This model features functional wings that can open and close, measuring approximately nine inches long. Initially created a few years ago, it remained a personal project until November when Elliott decided to share the detailed instructions on Rebrickable, a platform for LEGO enthusiasts. The design, composed of 775 pieces, has been downloaded over a thousand times since its release, reflecting the community’s enthusiasm for this local landmark.

Elliott acknowledges that he wasn’t the first to attempt a LEGO version of the Milwaukee Art Museum. In 2019, a Hungarian 3D artist named Vida Andras designed a much larger and celebrated model, which nearly became an official LEGO set after receiving 10,000 votes on LEGO Ideas. However, LEGO ultimately declined to produce it in 2021. Inspired by Andras’ work, Elliott reverse-engineered the design using Studio by BrickLink software but encountered issues with the heavy wings. He refined the model to be about half the size, ensuring the wings functioned properly. Elliott chose to share his instructions freely, recognizing the influence of Andras’ earlier work and wanting others to enjoy building the museum.

Promoting the Brewers Famous Racing Sausages

Beyond the art museum, Elliott is also advancing his Brewers Famous Racing Sausages LEGO set. This project includes five sausages—Bratwurst, Polish Sausage, Italian Sausage, Hot Dog, and Chorizo—as well as the mascot Bernie Brewer. Each figurine is around nine inches tall and four inches wide, requiring approximately 500 LEGO bricks. Elliott’s efforts have already garnered 3,130 votes on LEGO Ideas, with a goal of reaching 10,000 votes within the next year and a half.

To promote the sausages, Elliott has developed smaller versions compatible with LEGO’s BrickHeadz line, making them more accessible to build with existing bricks. These miniatures are currently displayed on his desk. Elliott has actively sought support from the Brewers’ social media team and even considered visiting Milwaukee this summer to encourage fans at games to vote. His passion for bringing these quirky characters to life through LEGO reflects both his creativity and his desire to share Milwaukee’s unique culture with a broader audience.