Build Your Own LEGO® Tower

How it works

When designing structures, it is helpful to imagine a centre of gravity. This is the point where the force of gravity, which acts on the entire structure, balances. Stable structures—those that do not fall easily—usually have wide bases that support their centres of gravity.

When you built your first structure, it had a large base. It was a classic, square-based pyramid, which is a very stable design. It is hard to tip it over because this large base cannot be easily moved out from under the centre of gravity.

In contrast, your second structure’s top was much wider than its base. Also, because there was more mass higher on the tower, the centre of gravity was higher. This resulted in an unstable structure. As your tower leaned a little to the side, its centre of gravity was no longer located over its base, so it fell over.

When you combined the two structures, your new, taller tower with the large base was much more stable than the combination with the small base. Adding pillars to the corners of the second tower was another way to create a larger, more stable base.

You don’t have to build upwards!

One neat trick used by experienced LEGO^® builders, like the builders of the Towers of Tomorrow, is called Studs Not on Top (SNOT). By changing the direction the studs face for some of the bricks, the builder can add features in this new direction. Another technique builders use to create imaginative designs is creating structures in which all bricks face upside down or sideways.

Looking at the Towers of Tomorrow for inspiration, can you think of ways to use the SNOT technique in your own LEGO^® creations? Think about how you could place bricks in unique positions to bring a new design to life. Then, test your SNOT skills by trying different brick combos!

Want to learn more?

Explore these videos for more building inspiration.

Build a Tensegrity Structure out of LEGO^®

Surprise your eyes with a structure that seems to defy gravity and learn how to use tension to create structural integrity in your own tensegrity build.

Learn Why SNOT Rocks

LEGO^® expert David Hall takes you through how he used SNOT to build his Brickorama and provides examples of how you can do it yourself!

LEGO^® Earthquake Test Building Challenge!

See what happens when the LEGO^® REBRICKULOUS crew meets up with a structural engineer to test if their LEGO^® Buildings could survive an earthquake.