While you're at home spending time with your family during this holiday, take a look at Windy City LUG's Home On A Hill (HOAH) project. We hope you might even be inspired to build your own!
HOAH is a large-scale seed part build that uses any version of the 32x32 canyon baseplate to create a micro-scale structure. Not a lot of parts were needed, and it was easy to be creative. In fact, it was so easy to do, two non-AFOLs and two kids participated. Exactly the kind of thing WCL set out to do.
I was elated when my kids Ellie (age 9) and Hannah (age 5) decided they wanted to make their own HOAH, and Campout! and Dino Island were formed.
At first it might seem difficult to put one’s idea into such a specific space. Ellie discovered challenges with her MOC. “There were so many different combinations of trees that looked good it was hard to pick which one was the best.”
WCL member Melanie put the limit on scale. “I couldn’t use certain pieces because the proportions were off. There are so many great parts that just look out of sorts when put next to something that is 1x1.” But Underwater Escape still managed to brilliantly focus on the scale and turn a hurdle into a strength. “I love small pieces and it was enjoyable to find new ways to use them.”
With just a little time and concentration, creativity will win out as new member and new AFOL Dana found out with her excellent Sad Dragon MOC.
As a group build, HOAH is constantly expanding with new members making their own entries, which is part of the fun of doing something collaborative. Young Hannah summed it up best when asked why she liked working on the group project. “It made me happy when people found my dinosaurs.” It made us happy too.
The Home on a Hill project is regularly shown at WCL events. When we are showing again, come pay us a visit and check them all out.
article and images by Gary Scheppke
