Project Website: Palm Springs Brick Project
Campaign Video: [add youtube link]
My Story
I grew up in rural Oklahoma on a schoolteacher’s income in the 1970s and 1980s. We simply didn’t have money for toys. But I was an imaginative kid. I’d built entire cities from construction paper, complete with roads for my Matchbox cars, colorful buildings with hand-drawn doors and windows, and an ever-expanding world that existed only in my mind.
As I grew older, my interests evolved. I explored sports, excelled academically, and found a passion for theater, music, and all things technical. Life took me in many directions, leading to an advanced degree in science, a fulfilling career, and a loving marriage. But one thing remained the same: my love for building.
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced us all into isolation, I decided—at the age of 50—to finally get my first LEGO set. What started as a simple hobby to occupy my time quickly became an obsession. I assembled sets, took them apart, and reengineered them with tiny LED lights. My husband was astonished at how quickly I worked through them. Over the next couple years, I focused on Harry Potter sets, NASA space models, and intricate modular buildings.
And then, I did something remarkable: I built the city I had once imagined as a child—this time in LEGO. On a 4x11’ platform, I brought my vision to life with illuminated buildings, a bustling city park, a subway system, a river gorge, and museums. Some structures were official LEGO collectible sets, but many were my own designs—an amphitheater, a gothic cathedral, a modern art museum, and even a research laboratory.
We moved to Palm Springs in 2017 and quickly fell in love with the community, the architecture, the desert lifestyle, and yes—even the heat. Over time, our friends have learned to ask me about my latest LEGO projects, knowing how much joy I find in them.
In 2024, I designed and built my first original LEGO model inspired by Palm Springs—a mid-century modern home with a pool. When friends and family saw it displayed in my office, their reaction was overwhelming. They marveled at the detail, the craftsmanship, and how it artistically captured the essence of Palm Springs design.
Palm Springs is world-renowned for its mid-century modern architecture. The clean lines, bold geometric shapes, and seamless indoor-outdoor living define not only our homes but also our public spaces. Many of our commercial buildings, designed by visionary architects, remain iconic testaments to this distinct style. Each year, Modernism Week brings together design enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate and explore this architectural legacy.
That moment—seeing my LEGO creation spark excitement and nostalgia—ignited an idea: What if I recreated Palm Springs’ lifestyle and iconic buildings in LEGO? And even more, what if these miniature architectural artworks could be displayed for the public to enjoy?
Now, I’m launching this project to bring that vision to life. I’ve already completed virtual detailed LEGO models of several beloved scenes and downtown landmarks, including:
- Mid-Century Modern Home, version 2.0, redesigned with even more details
- Our Downtown Village, set against the backdrop of a bustling Thursday night Village Fest.
- City National Bank, now Bank of America, with its striking mid-century design standing proudly at the confluence of Indian and Palm Canyon Drives.
- The Coachella Valley Savings and Loan #2, now Chase Bank, with its sweeping concrete pillars and water fountains.
- The Camelot Theater, now Theater #1 of the Palm Springs Cultural Center, in it’s original design from 1967.
Our city is a vibrant hub of public art, a key reason we chose to call it home. From striking murals to bold sculptures, creativity is woven into the very fabric of Palm Springs. I want to contribute to this legacy by transforming these LEGO architectural models into a unique public art experience—one that blends history, design, and imagination.
This project will unfold in two phases:
Phase 1: I’ll meticulously construct these LEGO models, capturing the character and charm of Palm Springs’ unique architecture—brick by brick. Total campaign is $15,655.
Phase 2: I’ll develop custom public displays for the models, including decorative stands, protective plexiglass casings, and integrated power sources for lighting and electronic displays for showcasing each building’s history and interior model details.
Your support in Phase 1 will help fund the bricks, lighting, and assembly process needed to turn this dream into reality. Together, we can celebrate Palm Springs' rich architectural legacy in an entirely new way.
✨ Thank you for being part of this journey! ✨
Organizer
