YOUNG ARCHITECTS FOR CHANGE

Brick by Brick Competition

The Brick by Brick (BBB) Competition was a regional initiative hosted by the Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN) and the Pooni Group. Together, this competition was a way to raise awareness and support for the autism community here in Metro Vancouver.

The BBB Competition invited developers, architecture firms, and community groups to recreate BC iconic landmarks using Lego!

With the close partnership with the HR Macmillan Space Centre, and the generous sponsorships from Alabastor Homes, our team decided to recreate a Lego version of the Malahat Skywalk, located on Vancouver Island BC.

Our team chose the Malahat Skywalk for this competition not only because of it’s stunning architecture, but is a hub of connection. The Skywalk acts as a central hub for tourists to explore and learn about our land and ecosystem, it allows people to connect with the land we are on.

In October 2025, our team memebrs began design our Lego version of the Skywalk through an online design software called “BrickLink”. With the technology, we were able to design an online version of our Lego structure first, and then order the required pieces for the build.

The physical building of the Skywalk took around 1 month to recreate, with over 4,000 Lego pieces, and over 30 trees to plant, our Lego Malahat Skywalk was finally finished near the end of November 2025.

Delivering to the PAFN for judging was a trick! Not only was the model delicate, but it was also a large and heavy project to transport. Though, we made it to the PAFN without any trouble, and our Malahat Skywalk was on display for judging both at the PAFN and the Vancouver Convention Centre.

With careful and intricate judging from the judge panel, our team was awarded the “Most Representative of BC Award”! It was a great step forward here at YAC to show how youth can also contribute to civic architectural/design initiatives.

After our successful competition, our Lego Skywalk did not end there. We were able to get in contact with the team at the Malahat Skywalk, and both organizations agreed on a permanent display of our project at the Malahat Skywalk Gift Shop.

So on December 28, 2025, 3 of our executive members travelled to Vancouver Island with the model to put it on display at the Malahat!

Our team not only set up the display but was fortunate enough to be accompanied by Malahat’s Manager Jadrian Berkan with a guided tour of the site, and also a warm lunch.

We want to thank all organizations that supported our project from the beginning. The work and time you have given us is truly appreciated and inspiring. Here at YAC, we always look forward to connecting with the community through designa nd architecture, and with the BBB competition, is was a step forward to ensuing that youth are contributing within the architectural community!

BBB Hosts: Pacific Autism Family Network & Pooni Group

Partnership: HR Macmillan Space Centre

Sponsors: Alabaster Homes

Collaboration: Malahat Skywalk