Member Article

This entrepreneurial dad may have invented the next Lego

An architect from London has developed a new modelling kit that is already being hyped as the next Lego after being picked up by some big-name retailers.

Damien Murtagh’s Arckit modelling system, which grew out of his architectural profession, is now on sale at retailers including Harrods, Barnes and Noble and on Amazon, after being adopted as an educational tool in schools.

The system uses modular pieces and interconnecting components which click together to create an infinite variety of structures and buildings, with embellishments such as wood flooring and tiles also available.

Explaining his inspiration for the modelling sets, Damien said: “Architects used to make models back in the old days using card and glue but all that died a death with the rise of computer graphics.

“Nowadays almost all architects show their designs to clients using computer software. It’s fine but it does require a bit of vision and imagination to picture it in three dimensions.

“So I thought there must be a way to use new technology to develop a reusable three dimensional modelling system which clicks together and doesn’t require gluing.

“I started to experiment with prototypes and eventually I came up with a modular system which can continually evolve, letting you build models of pretty much anything and everything.”

Originally only for designers, the system grew in popularity amongst youngsters and is now being spoken of in the same breath as the likes of Lego and Meccano.

Arckit now has a dedicated legion of young fans posting images of their creations online, which Damien says can be ‘pretty much anything and everything’.

Damien theorises that one element of Arckit’s popularity is owed to the computer game Minecraft, which has made modelling kits fashionable again for a new generation.

He commented: ““Minecraft has certainly had an effect in making modelling cool again. What Arckit does is take the interest in modelling and brings it back to the real world with a three dimensional physical product.

“Kids love it as a significant step up from their toy building blocks to a more sophisticated building tool and both parents and teachers appreciate it for its educational attributes and for getting children away from a TV or computer screen.

“It’s hugely exciting to be called the ‘new sophisticated Lego’ but we’ve a way to go yet before we reach that many customers. The product is very different from Lego but appeals to anyone from ten years and above. It’s just as much fun though.”

To cap off a break out year for Damien and his modelling kits, Arckit has been nominated for the Toy Industry Association’s prestigious Toy of the Year 2017 ceremony, where it will compete with heavyweights Lego and Meccano in the Construction Toy of the Year category.