DUBAI // It is the kind of task that would drive most people to distraction. But, after five months and 150,000 Lego bricks, a four sq metre model of the under-construction Legoland Dubai theme park has been unveiled.
The model was designed and built by Lego ‘brick artist’ Kevin Hall, who travelled from the UK to the UAE to oversee its construction.
Along with some help from the Legoland Dubai sales and marketing team, it took Mr Hall 1,600 hours to design and build the model.
Built on a scale of 1:120,000, it showcases Legoland Dubai’s planned six themed areas: Lego City, Adventure, Lego Kingdom, Imagination, Factory and Miniland.
The model layout of Legoland Dubai was unveiled to visitors attending last week’s Arabian Travel Market 2015.
Siegfried Boerst, general manager of Legoland Dubai and a keen builder, was involved in putting together the model.
In hiring people for the role of a Lego artist, he said the company was not looking for particular skills, although being able to work well with your hands is a plus.
“We test them on their creativity and their imagination,” he said. “They are from all over the world.”
“Mostly, these people are locals, but they come from all areas of life. They are looking to do something different.”
A few years ago, Mr Boerst said the company hired an investment banker from New York City as a model builder.
“He took the job because it was so much fun for him,” he said.
For the Dubai park’s Miniland — made up of miniature versions of popular global destinations such Trafalagar Square and the Kennedy Space Centre — he said Legoland was looking at recreating iconic buildings of the region and beyond.
“The Miniland we are building here is completely dedicated to the Middle East and Asia,” he said. “It’s not only about the buildings but what is happening around it.”
He said it will take two years to build all of the models, using more than 60 million Lego bricks.
“They are all standards bricks,” he said. “They are the same ones that children can play with.”
“That’s where the creativity of the model builder comes to play.”
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
