Clayco is one of the largest privately-owned real estate, architecture, and engineering design-build construction firms. When the Clayco team set out to create a meaningful gift for new college graduates joining the company, they reflected on what had inspired many of them to pursue careers in construction and engineering: LEGO®.

A custom brick set felt like a natural fit. They wanted it to go beyond a simple gift, something that truly represented what Clayco builds. After initially considering a job site, they landed on a more iconic symbol of the industry: a construction crane, instantly recognizable and reflective of their work.

Clayco also wanted the custom crane set to reflect the people behind the work. Each set includes a worker minifigure, with both masculine and feminine head options to fit beneath the hard hat. After selecting the preferred Clayco-branded safety vest, this element of the set was finalized, bringing a personal, human touch to the build.

Playwell Bricks designer Eric Dubois Yang devoted considerable time to refining the crane itself, ensuring it wasn’t just visually accurate but fully functional, bringing both realism and interactivity to the final design.

“During the test build, we ran into some stability issues with the crane,” Eric recalls. What followed was a true team effort, with multiple Playwell designers stepping in to offer ideas and solutions until the structure was resolved.”

Eric also pointed to a key design decision on the crane’s mast. “We highlighted the vertical and diagonal support structure using yellow elements against a gray frame to mimic the lattice pattern of a real tower crane,” he said. “While it’s slightly less true to life, it significantly improves structural integrity, which ultimately matters more for a set like this. At the same time, it still captures the look you’d expect to see on a construction site.”

Once Clayco approved the design, the crane set moved into production, with Playwell finalizing the build instructions in parallel. Then came the moment of truth: how the sets would be received.

The response was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. The sets not only met expectations but reinforced the impact of a thoughtful, well-executed idea, one that connected directly to what inspired many of Clayco’s newest employees to pursue careers in the industry.

“The set was exactly what we were hoping for: something thoughtful, well-crafted, and truly reflective of who we are. It was clear how much care went into every detail, and the final result really resonated with our team.” -Anna Grace Weil, Recruiting Coordinator, Clayco.

Make every gift a statement of purpose. Whether you’re honoring new employees or clients, Playwell Bricks helps you brand well, build well and gift well, creating gifts that reflect your values and inspire lasting connections. Start with a discovery call today!