Interactive LEGO Laundromat Exhibit Is Awash in Color

LEGO sets are great. But the allure of those little plastic bricks has always been simple. If you can dream it, you can build it. No matter what you want to make, and no matter how completely audacious, with the right combo of pieces you can create anything. But it’s safe to say most kids don’t exactly dream of building a laundromat, neither do most adults. But maybe we should have. Because the LEGO Group partnered with London-based artist Yinka Ilori for a life-sized LEGO laundromat. And this art installation is going to clean up with fans.

The “Launderette of Dreams” (which we first heard about at DesignTAXI) is an “interactive play space” made with more than 200,000 LEGO bricks. It’s part of the company’s Rebuild the World campaign, which “celebrates children’s creativity.” For this project Ilori turned to students at his own former school, St Jude & St Paul’s C of E Primary School. In a press release, LEGO says the kids shared their ideas on how to “rebuild the space for the better and bring people in the community together.” The colorful laundromat is also inspired by Ilori’s own memories from going to his local launderette in North London as a kid.

All those dreams is a total transformation of a place few people ever imagine as a hotbed of creativity. But that’s exactly what this laundromat has become. It features kaleidoscope laundry drums and giant mural walls that can be built and rebuilt by guests. It also has hopscotch flooring. As well as vending machines that dispense LEGO toys instead of soap.

“‘The Launderette of Dreams’ is a very personal project for me because I spent a lot of time during my childhood at the launderette,” said Ilori in a statement. “It was where I could dream about the things I wanted to achieve. We often forget about the mundane spaces which play an important role in bringing the community and people from different cultures and backgrounds together, as well as providing an opportunity for kids to meet, play and share ideas.”

You can visit the Launderette of Dreams in London’s Shoreditch neighborhood. It’s open daily until November 6. Ilori and others will also host a limited series of workshops there. And the whole experience is also totally free. Unfortunately, no advanced tickets remain. But limited walk-ins are available for each time slot, though.

If you can’t make it in time don’t worry. Yeah, you’ll be missing out on an amazing, beautiful installation. But with enough bricks you can always build your own. That’s always been the best thing about LEGO.