612Unique parts
2,769Total parts
5
Minifigures
2Stickers
Thank you!
The Riverside Scholars is the next set in my original theme, The Mountain Windmill Series. The theme was created whilst writing a story for my sons. I have been overwhelmed by the support you have all shown for the series, it’s been incredible and I am truly thankful. The Mountain Windmill was released as part of the BrickLink Invitational and The Ocean House is a Series 2 Finalist, due to enter crowd funding next year.
I’m extremely happy to bring the third set in the series, The Riverside Scholars, to a BrickLink Designer Program!
The Story
The story tells of the mysterious Mountain Windmill that holds mysteries long since forgotten by the villagers who live in its shadow. The journey to the windmill is too dangerous to travel, until, that is, a young village boy discovers a map marking a hidden route to the Windmill. The Riverside Scholars is one of many steps along the path to the Windmill.
...There was a single river that ran from the ocean into the heart of the Valley of Gales. If you followed it, you would eventually come to the dwelling of the scholars. The scholars lived in a ramshackled building that rose from either side of a waterfall. The building looked old and weary and, as the boy knew, housed many secrets within its weathered walls.
The waterfall was a tranquil spot full of nature. The boy would often come here to pick mushrooms, listen to the teachings of the scholars, or to enjoy a spot of fishing.
He could picture his life there, among the scholars. He was fascinated by all they had to teach and imagined that perhaps when he was older, he too would dedicate his life to the pursuit of knowledge. He had an admiration for the scholars. They were disciplined but welcoming and so the boy spent much time there. Though, even to the scholars, with all their worldly wisdom, the Mountain Windmill remained a mystery...
H: 39.08cm
W: 29.6cm
L: 27.6cm
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Hi all!
My name is Harry and I am the fan designer of the Riverside Scholars. I am 34 and based in the UK. For the last decade I have worked in the video games industry and before that I was a professional guitarist.
I am a big LEGO fan and LEGO brick building has been part of my life since I can remember.
As a kid I spent hours waging wars between Blacktron and M-tron, Pirates and Indigo Islanders and building custom Star Wars ships and scenes…
One of my fondest childhood memories is spotting The Speeder Bikes set (7128) on a display stand in a supermarket in 1999. When I arrived home, I ran upstairs with the set hidden behind my back - seeing my brother still in the exact building position I had left him in - I exclaimed: “What are the two greatest things of all time!?” Without hesitation he answered: “Star Wars and LEGO sets!”
Not much has changed in the last 25 years. Growing up I made custom scenes and ships from my favorite movies and games, and as an adult, I shifted to mostly buying and building sets.
Over the past 5 years or so my engagement with the brand has reverted back somewhat towards my childhood approach of building things from my favorite video games and original ideas. The majority of my LEGO brick time goes into working on the Mountain Windmill series and stories.
I hope you all enjoy the set as much as I enjoyed designing it, and a deeply heartfelt thank you for the incredible continued support for this theme!
Peace and happy building!
How do you find inspiration for your designs? What inspired this BDP set in particular?
This set is part of a series that began with the Mountain Windmill 910003. The Mountain Windmill started as a set idea but ended up becoming part of a story I wrote for my son, about a boy who finds a map to a mysterious Windmill and goes on an adventure. I found it easier to envision the building once I had wrapped a narrative around it. Since then the story has grown, as has the number sets (and the number of sons)!
In terms of inspiration, I found the story and the sets started to inspire one another. As I fleshed out more of the story, new locations were created and as soon as I started describing these locations, I started to see the LEGO set too.
I find Studio Ghibli vistas inspiring and enjoy looking through movie and video game concept art books.
What was the first set you ever built? Which one is your favorite? What is one set you would love to see being made?
The first set I remember owning personally was the Spyrius Robo-Guardian 6949, known to me as the ‘big LEGO robot’. There was a good amount of M Tron, Indigo Islanders and Pirates in my house growing up!
My favourite set changes. I think of recent times it has to be Rivendell 10316. Knight’s King Castle is a masterpiece too, and Barracuda Bay!
I am really excited for LEGO Zelda, that’s the theme I really would like to see more of.
How would you describe your building style? Do you usually design sets within a certain theme?
I find nature often features heavily in my builds, there is a repeated theme of nature vs man made structure that runs through my original designs. I have a set of pillars I try to stick to when I design a set; architecturally interesting, affords narrative and play, works as a stand alone piece, and ties in aesthetically if part of a larger theme.
I spend the majority of my time on the Mountain Windmill series, though I do quite a lot of buildings based on other IPs, most commonly video games, for example; The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Ghost of Tsushima and Destiny.
How would you describe your role in the LEGO® fan community?
I’m not sure. I was pretty active for a time on LEGO Ideas, but feel I have found my place within BDP. I don't think of myself as having a role, but I will say that I am beyond moved by the community support for my builds. It’s so cool to hear people talking about the sets as a theme and actively collecting them, it’s amazing! I’m so grateful for all the support.
Have you been to any LEGO community events or conventions? If so, what were they like?
Not yet! But I have visited the LEGO House in Billund and can wholeheartedly recommend it if anyone was thinking about it.
What do you think makes a BDP set successful?
I don't think there is any denying Castle and Trains do well, there’s clearly a real demand for them, and some superb designers out there who are passionate and successful designing them. Other than that I think eye-catching, unique designs that aren’t on offer currently from the LEGO Group is a really good way to go.
What advice would you give to the next set of hopeful BDP designers?
Take pride in your idea and execute it to the very best of your ability. Personally, I would recommend putting the time into one set you really believe in, as opposed to making lots of sets with potential. There are more series of BDP coming so perfect each of your sets to give them the best shot at success. If you did want to make several sets for a single series, however, I would recommend making them significantly different in both aesthetics and scale, and have fun with it!
Peace and happy building!
Why not be the first?