Student-designed LEGO model of the St Olaf campus

Anders Cote is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

My name is Anders Cote, and I’m a sophomore at St. Olaf College. I designed -- from scratch -- a LEGO model of the St. Olaf campus, using a digital LEGO software program. The model depicts the campus as it currently looks (2022) and includes every building from Old Main and Mellby Hall to Buntrock Commons and the new Ole Avenue Project. It also shows the landscape including roads, Natural Lands paths, and the campus Quad. The trees come in the beautiful colors that grace campus during the fall.

St. Olaf wrote an article about my project (here) in the summer of 2021.

As of now, the model is not yet physical. It's an online, digital "blueprint." However, I would love to make this project a reality! If completed, it will not only enhance the St. Olaf campus but also honor it in a creative, engaging, and fun way.

My goal is to build the model in real life, with actual LEGOs, and display it on the St. Olaf campus at the Skoglund Athletic Center. This way, all students, faculty, staff, and visitors can observe, enjoy, and admire it. The blueprint for the model measures about 4 square feet and contains over 11,000 individual LEGO pieces.

I am working with Athletic Director Ryan Bowles and others in the St. Olaf administration to help me make this project happen. "When Anders presented to me his idea for this project I was immediately drawn to it,” said Bowles. “His creativity and desire to showcase our beautiful campus through a LEGO model is a wonderful representation of our student athletes at St. Olaf. I can envision this model being a ‘must-see’ for all visitors to campus."

This fundraiser will pay for the LEGOs to build the model, ship them (many pieces will come from foreign countries), and source a custom display case to encase the model. Any remaining funds will go to the St. Olaf Cross Country and Track Teams.

Whether you are a current St. Olaf student, faculty or staff member, parent, or even an Ole alum, I am graciously inviting you to help support this project. Any amount of donation is greatly appreciated and will make a difference in helping the LEGO model come to life. The final product will surely be amazing!

Also, please share this page with any family, friends, and people you know who are connected with St. Olaf!

Below are a few photo-realistic renderings of the LEGO model.

Thank you very much for your support. Um Yah Yah!

Anders Cote '24