How to Structure your Build

The following how-to is an exclusive excerpt from the Minecraft Guide to Creative. It'll be released on May 30th in the US and June 1st in the UK - but you can pre-order the book here.

It’s important to get the structure of your constructions right so that the rest of the build will go according to plan. Once you have an idea, the next step is to plan it out and begin to lay the foundations.

SHAPES

The shape of your build affects everything from the foundations to the roof. For many builders simplicity is key, but more complicated shapes, which are harder to get right, can make for a truly impressive build. Take inspiration from these simple shapes to get you started.

QUADRILATERALS

Squares and rectangles are the easiest shapes to make. Use them as a base for simple, four-sided rooms, and to create flat walls. They are perfect for simple builds

TRIANGLES

Most often incorporated into roofs, triangles can also be used as a base if you’re happy to have diagonal walls. Be aware that this could make it awkward to decorate inside, or to join to other builds.

CIRCLES

Flying in the face of Minecraft’s blocky nature, circles are often integrated into more impressive builds. The tricky part is knowing how to successfully make curves – consult the outlines above for guidance.

PYRAMIDS

The pyramid is an iconic shape from the landmarks of Egypt. Begin with a large square base, then build upwards.

TRIANGULAR PRISMS

Built in a similar way to pyramids, triangular prisms are most commonly associated with attics and tents.

SPHERES

Small spheres can be incorporated into builds to add detail, but, for a real challenge, try building a spherical base. Look at the instructions below to find out how to build one. You can even make one by adding circles to the sides of a cube.

1. Using the yellow outlines here as a guide, build five circles of increasing size.
2. Build another circle exactly the same size as the largest of the five circles. 
3. Now build four more circles of decreasing size in the opposite direction. This will give you a perfect Minecraft sphere.

If you found this handy, there are loads more tips in the full Guide to Creative. Even old pros may find some useful info! Pre-order the book here.