May 17, 2008
Model behavior
UMBC graduate Jason Burik rebuilds his favorite structures with LEGOs.
Jason Burik's UMBC Commons LEGO model
Article tools
E-mail
Print
Reprints- Post comment
- Text size:
Rome wasn't built in a day. However, a 400-to-one
scale model of Rome might take five-to-seven weeks, if
Jason Burik is on the job. Burik creates LEGO replicas
of buildings, stadiums, sports complexes, universities
-- even your own home.
"They make great anniversary gifts," he says.
Burik has created scale models of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Ravens (formerly PSINet) Stadium, the U.S. Capitol, UMBC's Commons
building and several other structures.
Burik, a 2000 graduate of UMBC and a fifth-grade teacher in Anne Arundel
County, discovered the plastic building blocks
when he was seven years old. One day he decided to
dismantle the LEGO creations he had and recreate
his parents' home from blueprints. A
sports fan, Burik began building his
favorite stadiums and arenas, and the rest is history.
So far, Burik is the one deciding what gets created
-- he chooses a site he'd like to model, and then
approaches the site's owner about a commission. Burik
contacted UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski with the notion of a LEGO version of the university's student activity hub, and Hrabowski
jumped at the prospect. The logistics of such a project are staggering. The
LEGO Commons was constructed with more than 1,000 blocks.
More than 3,600 blocks were used for Burik's version of Ravens
Stadium. An average stadium takes three-to-five
months and a home could take three-to-seven weeks.
What would a person pay for his favorite building
in miniature? It depends on the building, of course,
but Burik offers free estimates on his Web site,
www.burikmodeldesign.com. Burik says the average stadium is approximately $1,200 and residential homes cost approximately $89.
But who wants a LEGO building?
"They make great corporate gifts," said Burik, adding that he intends
to make a LEGO replica of the University of Maryland
College Park Comcast Center basketball arena an
official licensed product of the NCAA -- what better
way to thank Comcast for its support than to present
their investment in miniature? Similarly, other college
or professional courts could be completely customized
to include a team's logo on center court, says Burik.
Burik points out that his hobby and his profession
tend to overlap. He tries to integrate LEGOs into his
lesson plans, noting that the models help his students
gain hands-on knowledge of scale, ratio, math and
science.
Although Burik is seeing some success with his
designs, he isn't ready to quit his day job. "I'll
just take things as they come."
Bay & Beach Guide
Find out what's new in the region's beach vacation spots, search events and share tips and photos.
|
|
Columnists: Kevin Cowherd | Edward Gunts | Rob Kasper | Rashod D. Ollison | Susan Reimer A&E reviews: Concerts | Theater | Art | Classical Music | Movies | Television Extras: Birthdays | Sudoku | Lottery | TV grid |
Popular stories
- People & Places: DeGeneres and de Rossi plan to exchange I do's
- Vitamin D tied to cancer outcome
- 'It's Orioles magic'
- Drug dealer gets life in prison
- Gregory Kane: They don't have a prayer
 | |
Prom nightView and share photos from prom. More: Graduation Day | Weddings | Pets | |
Summer fun
Get ready for summer - concerts, movies, beach information, things to do and more.
'Dancing With the Stars' Season 6
Browse photos and read the latest news about the hit reality show.
