Lumibricks 19012 Beard Bob’s Barbershop Review
Lumibricks 19012 Beard Bob’s Barbershop Review
A Brooklyn modular packed with story, lighting, and character
Before we dive into the build itself, a quick thank you to the Lumibricks team for kindly sending over Beard Bob’s Barbershop (19012) for review. It’s always exciting to get an early look at upcoming releases, and we really appreciate the opportunity to share this set with the community.
If you’re a fan of modular buildings, you’ve probably noticed that most sets lean heavily toward cafés, restaurants, or apartments. But what about the everyday businesses that actually give a neighborhood its character?
That’s exactly what Beard Bob’s Barbershop from Lumibricks aims to capture — a lively slice of 1980s Brooklyn street life, complete with a bustling barbershop downstairs and a lawyer’s office upstairs.
And unlike most modular buildings, this one literally lights up the entire scene.
For more information about the set, you can check it out here:
First Impressions
Right away, Beard Bob’s Barbershop stands out as something a little different in the modular world. Instead of just being another storefront, the set presents a small narrative — the classic “small business, big dreams” idea.
Downstairs you have the lively neighborhood barbershop where locals gather, chat, and hang out. Upstairs sits a modest law office, suggesting someone in the building is chasing something bigger.
It’s a clever concept that adds a service-style building to a city layout — something surprisingly rare among modular sets.
A Lighting System That Steals the Show
One of the most impressive aspects of this set is the fully integrated lighting design.
The model features 21 individual light points, all powered through a simple USB-C connection. The effect is genuinely impressive when the lights are turned on.
Highlights include:
A glowing classic barber pole
Illuminated store signage
Warm wall sconces
Gradient wall-wash lighting
A small TV screen with three switchable channels
These lighting elements do more than simply decorate the model — they transform it into a nighttime street scene, giving the entire building a vibrant urban atmosphere.
A Clever Modular Design
Another standout feature is the dual-axis rotating structure.
Instead of removing floors like traditional modular buildings, this set uses a rotating system that allows the model to open up dramatically:
The façade and annex swing open 90° to reveal the barbershop.
The upper floors rotate separately, giving access to the law office and apartment.
This design makes the interior incredibly easy to view and photograph, while also making it great for play or display. You can explore the entire model without needing to move it around.
Incredible Attention to Detail
One of the most striking aspects of this model is the depth of detail, both inside and out. From the moment you start building, it becomes clear that a huge amount of thought has gone into making this feel like a real slice of city life.
On the exterior, the graffiti immediately catches your eye. It isn’t random or messy — it feels purposeful and artistic, adding beautiful accents to the building and giving the whole scene a sense of realism. It captures the feeling of a busy urban street and helps bring that Brooklyn atmosphere to life.
The signage and printed elements are also fantastic. The printing quality is excellent, with crisp graphics and vibrant colours that really stand out on the model. Some of the signs are even backlit by the lighting, which makes them especially impressive once the model is illuminated.
Even the smaller exterior touches deserve attention. Details such as the bench, trash cans, and garbage bins help sell the environment and make the building feel like it belongs in a living, breathing street scene.
Moving inside, the same level of craftsmanship continues. The barbershop itself is the centerpiece of the build. From the mirrors and barber chairs to the printed signs, tools, and flooring, everything feels carefully designed to capture the look and feel of a working barbershop.
Upstairs, the law office is just as thoughtfully designed, with printed wall decorations, office furniture, and small details that give the space personality.
During the build, there are moments where the model can feel almost a little busy, simply because so many elements are being packed into a compact space. But once everything comes together, the cohesion of the building really shines. All of those details combine to create something that feels lively, rich, and full of character.
It’s the kind of model where the details reward you throughout the entire build, and even after it’s finished you’ll keep spotting new little touches every time you look at it.
Packed With Interactive Details
Beyond the visual detail, the model also includes a number of fun interactive features.
Some highlights include:
A rotating barber chair
A detailed chrome mirror
An opening printer in the office
The multi-channel TV
A barber station with interchangeable wigs (afro, fade, dreadlocks and more)
These elements add a playful role-play dimension to the set, allowing builders to imagine scenes with a barber at work, customers waiting their turn, or activity happening upstairs in the office.
Building Experience
The build itself is enjoyable and varied thanks to the different rooms and functions throughout the model.
The instructions are clear, and the design includes thoughtful choices such as clean wire management for the lighting, helping everything stay neat once the model is assembled.
The build never feels overly repetitive, and the rotating structure adds a satisfying engineering element to the overall experience.
Things I Loved
There’s a lot to like about Beard Bob’s Barbershop, but a few aspects really stood out during the build and once the model was complete.
The lighting integration is easily one of the highlights. With 21 light points built directly into the model, the lighting feels like a core part of the design rather than an afterthought. The glowing barber pole, illuminated signage, and subtle ambient lighting dramatically enhance the finished display.
Another standout feature is the narrative built into the building’s design. The combination of a barbershop below and a law office above creates a believable neighborhood setting where different lives and businesses intersect.
The craftsmanship throughout the model is also exceptional. From the exterior graffiti and street furniture to the detailed interior spaces, every area feels thoughtfully designed.
The rotating structure is another clever feature. Being able to open the model easily and access every room makes it fantastic for photography, display, and exploring all those small details.
Finally, the printed elements deserve special praise. The graphics and signage throughout the set are crisp, vibrant, and help bring the entire scene to life.
Things to Keep in Mind
No set is perfect, and while Beard Bob’s Barbershop is an impressive model overall, there are a few things worth mentioning.
Because of the density of detail, parts of the build can feel a little busy at times. There’s a lot happening within a relatively small space, which may require a little patience during certain stages of the build. However, once the model is finished, that richness of detail becomes one of its biggest strengths.
The integrated lighting is fantastic, but builders who haven’t worked with lighting in brick models before may need to take a little extra care when routing the wires during the build. Thankfully, the design does a good job of keeping the wiring tidy and manageable.
That said, the set still offers plenty of play and display possibilities. The rotating structure allows the model to open easily for exploration, and the barbershop itself is full of interactive features like the barber chair, wigs, and detailed workstations. It’s also a building that fits beautifully into a modular city layout, adding an everyday business that helps bring a street scene to life.
None of these points take away from the overall experience, but they’re helpful things to know before starting the build.
Final Thoughts
Beard Bob’s Barbershop is a genuinely unique modular building that stands out thanks to its:
Immersive lighting features
Clever rotating modular design
Story-driven concept
Rich interior and exterior detail
It’s the kind of building that adds personality and life to a modular street rather than simply filling space. The combination of a bustling barbershop and a law office above creates a setting that feels believable, lively, and full of character.
What impressed me most throughout the build was the depth of design and craftsmanship across the entire model. From the graffiti and street furniture outside to the busy interiors, the set constantly rewards you with small discoveries.
The lighting also adds a completely new atmosphere to the display. Once the lights are switched on, the model really comes alive, capturing the vibrant feel of a nighttime city street.
Whether you’re a modular city builder, a fan of detailed architectural models, or simply looking for something a little different to display, Beard Bob’s Barbershop is a very interesting addition to the growing Lumibricks modular lineup.
If you’d like to learn more about the set or see additional details, you can check it out here:
Disclaimer
This set was kindly provided to us by Lumibricks ahead of its official release so we could build it and share an early review with our audience. A big thank you to the Lumibricks team for sending both this model and the recent Art Piece set over for us to take a look at.
At the time of writing, Beard Bob’s Barbershop (19012) is a soon-to-be released set, with the expected public release likely shortly after March 15th, 2026.
Having had the chance to build it early, it’s clear that — much like the Art Piece set — this feels like another great step forward for Lumibricks’ growing modular range, combining storytelling, display value, and integrated lighting in a really interesting way.
As always, all opinions shared in this review are our own honest thoughts after building the set.
Comments
Post a Comment