Christendom alumni Sean ’14, Michael ’19, and Mark ’22 LaRochelle — along with several fellow alumni — are capturing national attention after building a fully functional roller coaster for YouTube star Mark Rober. The video, which has already surpassed 10 million views, showcases the alumni-led team designing, fabricating, and delivering the ride in just one week, resulting in a one-of-a-kind experience that is delighting millions across the country.
This isn’t the first time the LaRochelles have gone viral. In 2020, they and the team at their company, Magictecture, built Matterhorn: Alpine Escape — a 400-foot steel coaster complete with waterfalls and an animatronic yeti. The project went viral online, landing them national media coverage on CNN, Fox, ABC, Daily Mail, and more. The very next year, they went even bigger with another, even more ambitious coaster — Little Thunder — that garnered them even more attention.
Their latest project, however, is their most ambitious yet. Utilizing Magictecture’s proprietary “Coaster in a Box” system — developed by Sean and his team — the coaster features a unique launch mechanism, dramatic hills, and thrilling twists and turns. Most impressively, it was completed on one of the tightest timelines imaginable — just eight days from start to finish.
For Sean, who spent his time at Christendom designing elaborate sets for Christmas Formal dances and Christendom Players productions, building coasters, like the one for Mark Rober, have been the next big step in his dream to keep pushing and promoting creativity. The experience of building this coaster in particular was incredibly thrilling and a testament to the hard work that his team at Magictecture has been putting in since the company first went viral five years ago.
“It was the most intense project we’ve ever taken on — but also the most rewarding,” said Sean LaRochelle, who earned a B.A. in political science and economics from Christendom before going on to earn a master’s degree in architecture from Clemson University. “Working with a team of friends, many of whom I met at Christendom, made the experience even more meaningful. The liberal arts formation we received helped us think outside the box and problem-solve quickly, even under extreme pressure.”
Sean and his team connected with Rober back in April after he reached out, looking for a group that could build a roller coaster for a Phineas and Ferb-themed birthday party video. Sean, Michael (a philosophy major), Mark (a history major), and several other alumni jumped at the opportunity, quickly assembling in California to get to work.
Over the course of just eight days, the team designed, constructed, tested, and delivered the coaster — an incredible accomplishment that highlights not just their creativity and craftsmanship, but also their tenacity and collaborative spirit. They’ve since released a behind-the-scenes video that gives viewers a closer look at the intense build process and the ingenuity behind it.
Sean, who also works at an architecture firm, has more plans in the works for Magictecture. Whether it’s designing themed experiences or building the next viral coaster, his goal remains the same: to inspire others to bring their dreams to life.
“Our mission is to bring joy and wonder through imaginative design,” said LaRochelle. “Christendom taught me how to see the beauty in the world — and how to share that beauty with others in creative ways.”
To view the viral video, visit here.
To watch more of Magictecture’s coaster creations, view their YouTube channel.