LEGO SET 71741 - Alternate build | NINJAGO City Gardens

Cultivating Creativity: Alternative Builds for NINJAGO City Gardens (71741-1)

Step into a world where lush greenery intertwines with the dynamic vibrancy of a bustling cityscape. The original NINJAGO City Gardens set captures this harmony brilliantly, but what if we could push its botanical beauty and urban flair even further? Imagine transforming the stacked pagoda roofs into cascading waterfalls, converting tranquil courtyard spaces into hidden dojo training grounds, or reimagining the winding staircases as secret Zen gardens suspended between skyscrapers. These alternative builds invite you to blend the rich lore of NINJAGO with fresh architectural flourishes—think bonsai terraces perched atop neon-lit storefronts, koi ponds etched into rooftop balconies, and lantern-lit walkways snaking around towering bamboo groves.

By exploring these fan-made MOCs, you can discover new ways to highlight the textural contrasts between traditional Eastern motifs and modern city elements. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to extend the set into a sprawling botanical district, linking multiple builds with elevated monorail tracks that glide through hanging vines. Or you might focus on micro-scale accents—adding miniature rock gardens beneath intricately tiled awnings, or retrofitting modular street stalls that brim with exotic flora. Each alternative build showcases how versatile the parts inventory truly is, demonstrating that a single set can blossom into entirely new narratives.

Whether you’re an avid NINJAGO lore junkie, a landscape architect at heart, or a fan of modular city layouts, these creative designs will spark ideas for customizing and expanding your own collection. Embrace the spirit of innovation: mix color palettes, swap architectural details, and let your imagination transform stone pathways into glowing light strips and hidden alcoves into serene meditation pods. Below, you’ll find three standout builds that exemplify this harmonious fusion of nature and metropolis—all crafted using just the elements from 71741-1 and shared by talented builders in the community.

The Ninjago City Spa

Designer: cjtonic
Get the instructions with link to the model: The Ninjago City Spa

Gardens on the Other Side

Designer: icedragonj
Get the instructions with link to the model: Gardens on the Other Side

City Mall

Designer: Togeltown
Get the instructions with link to the model: City Mall