Lego Cathedral of Learning sprouts in Shadyside during quarantine
This Cathedral of Learning wasn’t built in a day. A few weeks, but not a day.
Johnmichael Bohach, a theatrical set designer, had time on his hands while quarantining alone in his Shadyside apartment. So the University of Pittsburgh alumnus began building his own version of the Oakland landmark — with Legos. He reckons he has so far used about 2,000 building blocks, with the three bottom floors and some of the surrounding terrain to go.
The proportional cathedral of classrooms, now almost 2 feet tall, will share a place near his bed with Lego buildings of his tallest piece, the Statue of Liberty, plus the Eiffel Tower and Fallingwater, among others. Those came with all the pieces and instructions.
The Cathedral of Learning is his design, from scratch, using photographs and Google 3D satellite imagery to make sure every outside detail of the 42-story building is correct. He started from the top and has kept it hollow so he can install lights when it is done.
Mr. Bohach, 36, of Hermitage, Mercer County, studied theater and architecture at Pitt and developed his interest in the Lego architectural series of monuments and landmark buildings while in college. That’s when he got the idea of building his own Cathedral of Learning.
“The cathedral is something that is memorable to anyone who walks in or even sees that Gothic Revival monolith rising out of the earth. And I knew Lego wouldn’t do it — it’s not a national landmark — so this is just my way to pay homage.”
Construction began when his first order of beige Legos arrived in a ½-pound bag about a month ago, via eBay. Working with those, he figured out what sizes and shapes he would need and has spent at least $200 — he’s not counting — ordering bricks on eBay and retail sources.
While he works, he has the TV series “Parks and Recreation” running. It serves as comforting background noise that puts him at ease as he works on his eye-straining monochromatic piece. The builder is excited to get to the grassy campus area “just to deal with another color — green!”
Before going into coronavirus quarantine, Mr. Bohach worked on the set design of “Pippin” for Pittsburgh Playhouse, which had just one performance before theaters closed nationwide. He never got to see his set for “Swing!” in use at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland.
Oddly enough, he has never used Legos in creating dioramas of his set designs; he often renders them with the help of a 3D printer. After this experience, he said he may at least put a Lego figure in his next design.
The pandemic quarantine has inspired many a Lego enthusiast around the world. A photographer in the U.K. has re-created a wedding ceremony using nothing but Legos, and actress Anna Kendrick shared her obsession on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” showing off her completed Millennium Falcon from “Star Wars.”
When Mr. Bohach’s building is complete, he intends to make a Plexiglas case for it to protect it from dust.
“Dust really can collect on Legos,” said a guy who has enough to know. “I sometimes go in there with a toothbrush to keep them clean.”
He laughs, not for the first time, realizing how this may sound.
“Honestly, I just did this for fun, and I intend to keep it and use it as a light next to my bed,” Mr. Bohach said. “It’s kitschy. It’s me.”