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If you've ever played with Lego, chances are one of your first projects was to create a Lego house - and if it's good enough for small projects, then it's good enough for plans on a much larger scale.

With this in mind, an Israel-based developer has designed Smart Bricks - a range of construction blocks that look and fit together like the classic children's toy.

The company claims the bricks can cut constructions costs and time by up to 80 per cent, and could even lower energy bills. 

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The concrete brick prototype was designed by Israel-based Ronnie Zohar and his firm Kite Bricks. Each brick would be custom made and designed to slot together (illustration pictured). This makes them amenable for building houses, offices, bridges and other large-scale structures

The Smart Bricks prototype is the brainchild of Ronnie Zohar and his firm Kite Bricks.

Zohar envisions that each block will be custom made using concrete, based on architect plans, and when a company orders a construction kit, all the component parts will be sent as a package.

They would then be slotted into place and are amenable for building houses, offices, bridges and other large-scale structures.

According to the plans, all of the infrastructure is accessible through patented removable faces on the blocks, meaning insulation can be laid and replaced easily.

'Bricks are designed to be easily joined together, with open internal spaces for insulation and infrastructure elements to be run through the bricks and allow for easy access to these elements,' said Kite Bricks.

It also means broken pipes and cables can be accessed much easier than in current buildings. 

Building houses with 'Lego-style' bricks

Designer Ronnie Zohar envisions that when a company orders a construction kit, all the component parts are sent as a package. They are then slotted into place and are amenable for building houses, offices, bridges and other large-scale structures. Prototype pictured

Kite Bricks' Smart Bricks look and fit together like Lego blocks (pictured)

Furthermore, the blocks come 'finished', so no extra work is needed to waterproof the buildings, or similar.

Due to the tailor-made sizes and insulation options, the firm claims the blocks can offer significant energy savings.

'The block allows for faster, cheaper, more precise, and stronger building than is available through traditional building methods,' continued the firm.

'Architects consulted in brick development see a whole new world of possibilities and opportunities with the brick for making inexpensive, revolutionary structures, from single homes to multi-storey towers.

'The brick's patented design is flexible enough to be relevant from Vietnam to London.'

Other benefits quoted by the company include a 50 per cent reduction in building costs, controlled room temperatures for significantly lower running costs and 'virtually no debris left at building sites'.

Currently, Zohar has only created a prototype and filed for patents of his bricks. He needs an extra $3 million (£1.75 million) in funding to make the Smart Brick available.

All of the infrastructure is accessible through patented removable faces on the blocks, meaning insulation can be laid and replaced easily. It also means broken pipes and cables can be accessed much easier than in current buildings. The bricks could be put into place using robots (illustration pictured)

Other benefits quoted by the company include a 50 per cent reduction in building costs, controlled room temperatures for significantly lower running costs and 'virtually no debris at building site' (illustration pictured)