Metaphor Building with Bricks

Purpose

Metaphor Building with Bricks is a facilitated methodology where participants build three-dimensional brick models in response to questions about their work, strategy, identity, or challenges. Building with hands activates different cognitive pathways than verbal discussion alone, surfacing insights that remain hidden in traditional meetings. The method democratises participation because everyone builds and everyone shares.

At a glance

• Group size: 4–24 participants
• Duration: 60 minutes (can extend to full-day workshops)
• Difficulty: Intermediate (facilitation), Beginner (participation)
• Facilitation style: Structured rounds of build-share-reflect
• Setting: Indoors; tables with good lighting

How to run

1. Skills building (10 min): Warm-up builds to get participants comfortable. Build a tower. Now build something that represents a good day at work. Share briefly.
2. Core question (5 min): Pose the central question. Examples: What does our team culture look like? What is the biggest challenge we face? What does success look like in 12 months?
3. Individual build (10 min): Everyone builds a model that answers the question. Emphasise: the model does not need to look like anything recognisable. It is a metaphor.
4. Sharing round (20 min): Each person presents their model, explaining the meaning of each element. Others may ask questions but not critique. Each model is equally valid.
5. Landscape building (10 min): Place all models on a shared landscape. Draw connections between models. Identify patterns, tensions, and shared themes.
6. Debrief (5 min): What surprised you? What patterns emerged? What will you take away?

Materials needed

• Building-block modelling starter kits or general construction bricks (minimum 50–100 pieces per person)
• Tables with clear surface
• Timer
• Optional: landscape base plates

Pitfalls & common mistakes

• Skipping skills building: Participants who jump to the core question without warm-up build literal rather than metaphorical models.
• Critiquing models: The method requires that every model is valid. Shut down judgement immediately.
• Insufficient bricks: Too few pieces limits expression. Aim for 50–100 diverse pieces per person.
• Facilitator talking too much: The participants and their models should do the talking.

Inclusion & accessibility

• Construction bricks work across language barriers — the model speaks.
• For participants with limited hand dexterity, offer large toddler bricks or allow a building partner.
• The method surfaces perspectives from introverts who may not speak up in verbal discussions.
• Be mindful that some adults feel childish building with bricks — frame it professionally with business examples.

Variations

• Identity build: Build a model of yourself at your best.
• Future build: Build what your team or organisation looks like in 3 years.
• Challenge build: Build the obstacle and then build the solution.
• Rapid brick building: Shorter rounds (5-minute builds) for time-constrained sessions.

When NOT to use this

• When the group needs to make a quick, binary decision — the method is exploratory, not decisional.
• With participants who refuse to engage with hands-on methods despite framing.
• Without a trained facilitator for complex strategic questions — the methodology requires skill to facilitate well.

Source & further reading

• Kristiansen, P. and Rasmussen, R. (2014). Building a Better Business Using the LEGO Serious Play Method. Wiley.
• Official LEGO Serious Play methodology open-source documentation.