Building a Galaxy in Miniature: Doug’s Micro & Nano-Scale LEGO Star Wars Displays

At Bricks and Minifigs Littleton, we’re always amazed by the creativity of our local LEGO builders, and this Star Wars Day, we’re excited to showcase a stunning new window display crafted by Doug Maltarich, a talented builder known for his micro and nano-scale LEGO creations.

Doug’s passion for LEGO started as a kid, playing with the original brick sets. But it wasn’t until his son became interested in LEGO about eight years ago that he rediscovered the joy of building. “We spend time together and enjoy doing something we can both do,” Doug says. That father-son bonding time soon evolved into a deep passion for creating MOCs (My Own Creations).

Why Micro & Nano-Scale?

Doug first started making custom builds about four and a half years ago. His inspiration came from seeing the iconic Death Star trench run and feeling that existing LEGO sets didn’t quite capture what he envisioned. “I saw an inspiring version and thought—what other scenes can I recreate?” he explains. That curiosity led him to explore micro-scale and, eventually, nano-scale building, a technique that adds incredible depth and detail despite using very few bricks.

For this year’s Star Wars Day window display, Doug focuses on iconic planets from the Star Wars universe. His attention to scale and depth makes each scene feel cinematic, like a frozen moment from the movies. “Maintaining scale is hard,” he admits. “With perspective builds, it’s all about using different baseplates to create depth perception. You have to make everything fit just right.”

Bringing Star Wars Planets to Life

Doug’s display will feature legendary locations like Tatooine, complete with Mos Eisley, and other breathtaking planetary landscapes. His favorite build so far? “The Death Star 2 landing bay when the Emperor arrives in Return of the Jedi. It’s an epic piece,” he says. He’s also a fan of the Jedi Temple and the challenge of maintaining a realistic perspective in small-scale builds.

Each MOC takes careful planning and problem-solving. “The first one I did took four months,” Doug recalls. “I’m more proficient now, but sometimes things just don’t work. My Sail Barge took me a few months just to get the right pieces.” Finding the perfect LEGO elements is one of the biggest challenges in building at this scale. Doug sometimes turns to BrickLink to track down rare parts but prefers a more hands-on approach, like looking through bulk at Bricks and Minifigs Littleton. “Figuring it out with my hands—it’s more tactile—that’s part of the fun.”

A Lifelong Star Wars Fan

Doug has been a Star Wars fan since the beginning. “There’s still a bunch of new stuff I like, but nothing stops me from being a fan,” he says. His builds reflect not just the most famous moments from the saga but also scenes that are rarely represented in LEGO form. “What I do is work on a scale people recognize while also showcasing scenes they don’t usually see—like the Death Star 2 landing from Return of the Jedi.”

And if he could live on any Star Wars planet? “Naboo,” he says without hesitation. “I love the waterfalls and aesthetics from The Phantom Menace.”

Inspiring the Next Generation of Builders

Doug is part of an online LEGO enthusiast community called RANCORLUG, where he connects with other builders and shares ideas. He hopes his Star Wars display at Bricks and Minifigs Littleton inspires visitors—both kids and adults—to see LEGO in a new way.

“Seeing the scenes brings that childlike wonder back,” he says. “It’s exciting when adults say, ‘I remember watching that scene!’ And when kids get inspired, it’s even better. Thinking outside the set, not being limited, and creating something original—that’s what it’s all about.”

Doug’s amazing micro- and nano-scale Star Wars display was installed on April 12 and will be on display until Star Wars Day. Be sure to stop by Bricks and Minifigs Littleton to see his work up close! And don’t forget to follow his LEGO journey on Instagram: @ogmicrolego. 

Lastly, Doug wants to give a special shout-out to his wife, Brooke, for letting him take over her craft room for his LEGO creations. “Thanks, Brooke!”