Another massive new release has dropped. This time, the spotlight is on Pantasy, and they have absolutely knocked it out of the park.
The brand new Pantasy School of Arts (85036) has officially launched, and it is right up my street. The elegant European style architecture is genuinely beautiful. Looking at the intricate façade and the clever building techniques, this set feels exactly like a high-end collaboration with a master MOC builder. As it turns out, that is exactly what it is!
A Masterful Designer Collaboration
Pantasy has officially teamed up with renowned designer James May (@jamesmaydesign) to bring this set to life. If that name sounds familiar to brick fans, it is because James is an incredibly talented ex-LEGO designer who worked on several massive official sets (including the famous LEGO Ideas Typewriter) before venturing out to design his own independent models. His pedigree shines through in every single brick of this elegant European style academy.
The Official Details
This is a truly substantial build. The School of Arts comes in at a massive 3,463 pieces and retails for $189.99 USD.
From the ornate golden detailing around the central clock face to the striking green roofing, the exterior captures the spirit of a historic art school perfectly. The brickwork is wonderfully textured, and the large arched windows give the whole building a very grand presence on display.
An Expandable Modular Design
Instead of using a traditional lift-off roof system, Pantasy and James May have engineered a fantastic expandable display structure. The building features an open-back design where the rear walls swing open on hinges.
Coupled with a modular quick-release structure and a detachable first-floor loft, this means you can easily open the entire building up to enjoy the interior from multiple different angles without having to pull the floors apart.
A Hub of Creativity
You can explore 3 full floors of creativity here! Inside, the academy is packed to the brim with details across 6 themed classrooms and a dedicated art gallery.
- The Ground Floor: The main entrance leads into a beautiful Art Gallery featuring brick-built statues and framed paintings. Just next door is the Oil Painting Department, complete with easels, paint palettes, and a still-life fruit bowl setup.
- The First Floor: Moving upstairs, the space is split between a highly detailed Architecture Design classroom (featuring a miniature brick-built city skyline) and a Fashion Design room complete with a classic sewing machine and a mannequin.
- The Loft: The top level houses a cozy Photography Department alongside a Ceramics and Sculpture classroom that even features a functional-looking pottery wheel!
Atmospheric Lighting: A Game Changer
I have said it before, but I always thought Pantasy was missing a massive trick by not including lighting in their larger architectural sets. Well, they have finally listened! A few months ago, I wrote about Pantasy hinting at integrated lighting for future sets, and the School of Arts proves they are now fully committing to it. Adding this feature officially elevates them to a major player in the premium display set market.
Pantasy’s new lighting system brings every corner of this academy to life. A hidden battery box is present, which allows you to light up the whole structure with just a single press. The set includes 7 LED lights that illuminate the entire building. They have used warm ambient lighting for the interior classrooms, paired with beautiful exterior spotlights that highlight James May’s façade perfectly.
Exclusive Figures
To populate the school, the set also includes 4 exclusive Pantasy themed figures. Featuring a mix of stylish teachers and students carrying art supplies, they add a wonderful touch of character and bring the whole campus to life.
Where to buy
Pantasy sell their products directly through their official website, and they also have a store on Amazon. I have not seen it pop up on Amazon as yet, but I am sure this will appear very soon.
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