It’s truly remarkable when someone achieves something that appears far beyond their limits. Accomplishments like these often become lifelong sources of pride and inspiration.
For 10-year-old Brynjar Karl Bigisson from Iceland, that moment came when he set out to build something extraordinary—a massive LEGO replica of the Titanic. But this wasn’t just any model. Brynjar, who is on the autism spectrum and deeply fascinated by ships, had one goal in mind: to build the largest LEGO Titanic in the world—and break a record while doing it.
Brynjar has always been fascinated by ships, and the Titanic quickly became his all-time favorite. His curiosity knew no bounds—he scoured the internet for every detail he could find, diving deep into the ship’s history, design, and legacy. Before long, his admiration turned into a full-blown obsession: he wasn’t just going to learn about the Titanic—he was going to build it.
Brynjar attributes part of his passion to his autism. Social interaction had always been a challenge, and while other kids played in groups, Brynjar often found comfort in solo activities. LEGO bricks became his constant companions—tools that helped him express creativity and focus in a way nothing else could.
“LEGO has been an important part of my life since a very early age,” Brynjar shared. “Because of my poor social and communication skills, I was always on my own, playing by myself, so LEGO bricks became my best friends. While building with LEGO, I was using and developing my imagination and creativity. I don’t remember feeling lonely—I was too busy building something.”
Eventually, Brynjar set his sights on an ambitious dream: to build a massive, 26-foot-long replica of the Titanic entirely out of LEGO. Of course, he knew he couldn’t do it alone. He turned to the two people who believed in him the most—his mother and grandfather.
“Obviously, I was not going to build the 7-meter model all by myself,” he said. “My grandfather, Lulli, helped me by turning the actual Titanic blueprints into customized LEGO building instructions. And my mother helped me set up a crowdfunding page so I could raise the money to buy all the LEGO bricks I needed.”
Brynjar dedicated 11 months to building his dream—often spending three to four hours a day after school piecing it together, brick by brick. As the massive replica began to take shape, it became clear that this wasn’t just an impressive model—it was a masterpiece. When it was finally completed, it left everyone in awe. Brynjar hadn’t just built a ship—he had built a symbol of perseverance, passion, and possibility.
For Brynjar, the project meant far more than breaking a record or showcasing a model. It became a powerful life lesson.
“We know that if you are allowed to develop your skills through your interest, you can become stronger,” he said. “I have had that opportunity, and today, there is nothing that I cannot do if I focus on it. This message is important for me to get across.”
He believes that achieving something remarkable begins with belief in yourself, surrounding yourself with the right support, and refusing to give up—no matter how daunting the dream.
That message was so meaningful to Brynjar that he shared it with the world in a TED Talk, inspiring countless others to chase their passions, embrace their uniqueness, and build their own version of greatness—one brick at a time.