When life hands you lemons, make lemonade; and when Minecraft provides you with dirt blocks, create stunning mansions! Robert, also known as UknoMimus, has shown through his latest creation that even dirt can appear grand and cozy. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll be able to build like him, because right now my humble dirt houses would embarrass even moles.
Before we dive into the details of this amazing mansion, let’s get acquainted with its creator. Robert was born in Wales and has had a passion for art since childhood, ranging from drawing to singing. At the age of ten, he discovered Minecraft, immediately immersing himself in this incredible world of possibilities.
He particularly enjoyed servers featuring the Towny plugin, which allowed players to construct and manage their own towns. This experience inspired Robert to focus on aesthetics rather than just survival in his builds. Fast forward to a time when Robert had already gathered quite a large following in Minecraft Bedrock. The uniqueness of his creations is evident from his page. Among his notable works are majestic castles, steampunk-style cities, and floating islands. He takes particular pride in Steampunk City and Cyberpunk City: “Not because they are my best or most refined builds, but rather because I felt the greatest joy and satisfaction in creating them.”
The inspiration for the creation of the Mud Mansion stemmed from the hobbit homes depicted in the Lord of the Rings films. Instead of opting for cozy and tidy wooden cottages, Robert chose a more natural and simplistic approach—mud. When asked about potential inhabitants, he mentioned that he envisions some kind of creatures living there rather than humans, as mud does not meet all the housing needs of people. “I imagined tiny, clever beings who gather and reside together in vast caves. They can’t create tools like picks to extract materials, so a mud mansion suits them perfectly,” Robert explains.
Like many other builds, the Mud Mansion was designed for competition. Uknomimus frequently participated in contests and gradually progressed from small local events to major projects that garnered millions of views. The Mud Mansion was constructed as part of a two-week Minecraft Discord contest, where it captured the attention of thousands and even emerged victorious! From the very beginning, Robert had a clear vision for the build. “A bridge over a tranquil ocean, towering mountains with houses, and cliffs located at the edges that are not made of mud in some areas.”
Even though he lacked specific details, everything came together flawlessly! The mansion stands tall above the stunning crashing waves, and most impressively, with a touch of shader magic, this build comes to life at night! Dirt isn’t the only underappreciated block in Minecraft that has been transformed into art by the talented Robert. For instance, he utilized sponge for grassy areas, rocks, tree trunks, and even leaves. The key lies in Robert’s focus on the shape of the build rather than the materials used. Depth also plays a significant role as it provides the necessary layers for creating patterns and embellishments. However, caution is essential here. “Over-detailing, just like an empty surface, can lead to visual discomfort,” explains Robert.
When not bound by the constraints of competitions, Uknomimus enjoys creating with leaves, sea lanterns, and fir boards due to their versatility. He also incorporates red stones, as they add an appealing shine to his structures. So why participate in contests when one can embrace complete freedom and build whatever inspires them? This expands Robert’s creative horizons. “Competitions allow me to explore themes I might never have considered otherwise. Regardless of whether I win or lose, I make it a point to look at the works of other participants, as their ideas and approaches often reveal something truly innovative.”
