Edu Menezes

History Blocks

War-torn monuments rebuilt block by block in Minecraft, by schoolchildren.

History Blocks — posterPlay case film — sound on1:53
Client
UNESCO
Agency
Africa Creative DDB
Role
Motion Design
Year
2019

The brief

UNESCO protects cultural heritage, but hundreds of monuments in war zones are being destroyed and often cannot be rebuilt. The Temple of Bel, the Aleppo Citadel, the Monastery of St Elian, the Al Saffar Mosque and the Mosque of al-Nuri were among them.

The idea

If it is impossible to rebuild them here, rebuild them in another world. Researchers and historians worked with Minecraft's programmers and artists to reconstruct the monuments in Minecraft: Education Edition, where students rebuild them in class, guided by a lesson plan.

The result

Over 30 countries have adopted the project and thousands of students learn while they play. Bronze Lion in Design at Cannes 2019 and three Yellow Pencils at D&AD 2020.

History Blocks — frame 1History Blocks — frame 2History Blocks — frame 3

Credits

Creative Leadership — Sergio Gordilho, Sophie Schonburg

Creative — Daniel Ogawa, Raphael Vandystadt, Juliana Leite, Felipe Duarte

Art Direction — Rick Garcia, Adriana Barreto

Special Projects — Monique Lopes Lima

Motion Design — Edu Menezes

Awards
Cannes Lions 2019Bronze · Design
D&AD 20203× Yellow Pencil2× Wood Pencil
The One Show 2020Silver Pencil · Branded Entertainment / Games
El Ojo 2019Gold4× Silver4× Bronze