KZ: Hi Ryan! How many pieces of LEGO can you put together in a minute?

R: It all depends on what I’m making, if it’s a super tricky shape then not many, but if it’s a brick wall, I’m pretty fast!

KZ: You’re one of 14 LEGO Certified Professionals in the world, and the only one in the southern hemisphere. Did you have to do a bunch of LEGO building tests to prove you were worthy of the title?

R: Over the years I’ve had to make all sorts of things when we all get together, although nothing as formal as a test. LEGO are more interested in how we interact with the public and how we can communicate with LEGO bricks.

KZ: Have you built something by chance without meaning to?

R: Not so much changed direction in what I was building, but more added extra details. For example I was going to build a Saturn 5 rocket (the one that took man to the moon), but I also ended up building the whole launch pad.

KZ: Have you built any sets with your family lately?

R: We recently finished the UCS Star Destroyer, which took us ages!

KZ: What’s the most memorable build that you’ve seen created by someone else?

R: My friend and fellow LEGO Certified Professional, Sean Kenney, in the USA made this really amazing polar bear family. It’s such an awesome model.

KZ: Have you had any cool encounters with stars that you were surprised to find out enjoy playing with LEGO?

R: Well I’ve been surprised to find out who is into LEGO. Probably my favourite was meeting Martin Freeman (The Lord of the Rings) and I talked about LEGO for ages with him, and how he is an actual minifig!

KZ: What was the first creation you ever made with no instructions or guide?

R: Just about everything we build doesn't have instructions, so lots of things.

KZ: What’s something that you would love to build but haven’t had the opportunity to build yet?

R: That’s classified information! I never reveal what I have planned until after it's built, but needless to say I like making things that nobody has ever done before.

Read more of our interview with Ryan in the January 2021 issue of K-Zone, on sale now!