LAURIE WEIR
In a quiet corner of Perth, Jon Andrews transforms childhood nostalgia into intricate works of art. By day, he runs JA Carpentry, crafting kitchens, restoring interiors, and breathing life into heritage homes. By night—or whenever he can find a free moment—he indulges a lifelong passion: building stunning Lego replicas of local landmarks.
“Lego has always been a part of my life,” Andrews shared with Hometown News. “I’ve been tinkering with it since before I can remember. My kids love it, but even when they’re not around, I still find myself drawn to it. It’s my way of relaxing and being creative.”
Andrews, who spent over 15 years working in Perth before moving here, is inspired by the town’s rich architectural history. Known for its well-preserved 19th-century stone buildings, Perth’s heritage charm is a natural muse for Andrews’ Lego creations. Among his projects are miniature replicas of local landmarks, including the River Guild and Coot’s Coffee, painstakingly constructed from thousands of tiny bricks.
“I’ve always loved heritage architecture,” he explains. “There’s something timeless about it—like you’re preserving a piece of history. Perth is full of those kinds of buildings. That’s why I enjoy working here so much, whether I’m renovating an apartment or building something from scratch in Lego.”
Andrews’ appreciation for craftsmanship runs deep in his family. His great uncle William Pryer was a master carpenter in Brockville, a skill that passed down through the generations. “My dad was also a carpenter—a jack-of-all-trades—and I think that’s where I got my love for building,” says Andrews. “It’s just in my blood.”
His Lego hobby mirrors this dedication to detail. Building scale models of intricate architecture isn’t as simple as following instructions; each project requires careful planning and customization. For instance, his model of the River Guild had to be slightly altered to accommodate Lego’s limitations, swapping seven roof corbels for six—a change only the keenest observers noticed.
Despite the challenges, Andrews relishes the creative process. “There’s a real sense of pride when you finish something, whether it’s a renovation or a Lego build. You step back, look at it, and think, ‘Yeah, I made that.’”
The costs of Lego, however, can be as steep as the skills required to build with it. Sourcing pieces often means scouring online marketplaces or placing specialized orders. “It’s not cheap,” Andrews admits. “A project like this could easily cost $500 just for materials.”
Andrews says his next Lego project may be a model of Perth’s Town Hall. “It’s definitely on my list,” he says. “And I’d love to display my work somewhere public, like the library or even the Town Hall itself, so more people can enjoy it.”
For now, his Lego creations reside in his workshop, alongside his tools and woodworking projects. His children— Aaliyah, 11, Jedadiah, 9, and Malachi, 7—are as captivated by Lego as their father, often dismantling his creations to reimagine them in their own way. “They’ll build the set I buy them and then take it apart the same day to make something completely new. I love that—they’re little builders already.”
Lego, which originated in Denmark in 1932, has evolved from simple wooden toys to the iconic interlocking plastic bricks known worldwide today. The company’s name derives from the Danish words “leg godt,” meaning “play well,” a philosophy Andrews has embraced in both his carpentry and Lego endeavors.
As he looks to the future, Andrews envisions blending his carpentry business with his love for Lego, offering custom models for local businesses and landmarks — maybe even the Parliament building.
“It’s all about leaving your mark,” he says—whether it’s made from wood, stone, or Lego.
