AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DESIGNERS
AdrIan Florea and Thomas Parry
Can you explain a little about the process of designing the
Temple of Airjitzu model?
Sure! When I started working on the Temple of Airjitzu, I
had already been working on all things LEGO NINJAGO
for more than four years, so you could say that I was
very familiar with the universe, the tone of voice, and of
course our team of ninjas. We have been equipping our
ninjas with state-of-the-art vehicles, glorious dragons,
and frightening enemies year after year, but we felt that
they’ve been missing something to provide context. A
chance to build a large model came up, and my mind
was set on the direction from the start. I could finally
use all the bits and builds that I have been keeping
in boxes around my desk. In the end, the model still
reflects a strong LEGO NINJAGO fantasy-inspired look,
with some features that might not be based on reality.
How did you get the inspiration for this set?
It’s difficult not to get inspired when digging up
references on Asian architecture. The main idea for
the model and the layout was to provide our main
characters with an environment where they could
take a break from saving the NINJAGO world. The
centerpiece pagoda is luxurious and intricate, while
the blacksmith’s shop has a humble feel to it. The
contrast is clear in the differences between the
buildings such as the color, roof styles, windows, and
the purpose they serve. Too much contrast can cause
confusion, so I set up the base layout to be visually
symmetrical with the fountain serving as the center.
What were some of the challenges you faced?
Knowing when to stop! The village had the potential
to grow in so many different directions, but it was
important to represent the essentials. The idea of
the shadow theater came later in the
process, which meant that it had
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