Welcome Pinecreek Lookout!

The Lookout Tower has returned for Series 11, now under a new name; Pinecreek Lookout! I felt that calling the model just “Lookout Tower” was a bit boring, so I figured I’d give it a proper name like most real lookouts. The model has also seen a few changes since its appearance in Series 10 which are listed below. I also intended on lowering the piece count, but as you can see we’ve actually gone up by a couple dozen parts. I did try to simplify the design as best as I could, but the additional features easily overwhelmed any subtraction I was able to make. It was never going to be dropped down to a lower piece count bracket anyway, so I ultimately didn’t see the point in trying too hard.

Change Log:

Added a sign with the new name at the base of the tower. Just a fun detail I wanted to add since I had plenty of room left in the sticker budget.
Added a large water tank below the tower, gotta get your drinking water from somewhere!
Added some slight weathering to the exterior of the tower cabin. The design felt a little too clean in comparison to the worn down look of the storage shed, so I made it a bit rougher around the edges.
Other very minor design changes.

Design Process and Inspiration

I LOVE lookout towers! I don’t know what it is, but there’s just something about the aesthetic of them that gives me this cozy feeling. Honestly, I would love to spend a summer in one some day. But since that is unlikely to happen any time soon, for now I’ve decided to do the next best thing! And that is to combine a lookout tower with something I love even more, Lego! And so, this Lego Lookout Tower was born!

When it came to the design of the model, one the most important things to me was definitely capturing the slight angle seen in the support pillars. I didn’t want to take the easy way out and make them stand straight, even though many real life examples do also sport that look. Perfecting the supports, not only to make them durable, but also easy to align and put together was definitely where a good majority of my design hours were spent.

When it came to the cabin itself, while the exterior design was quite clear to me from the start, the interior however, not so much. This is where one of my main inspirations comes in, the game Firewatch. Not only is Firewatch a major reason for my love of these structures, it also allows me to take a look at the inside of one without actually visiting one. And while pictures exist online, which I of course took advantage of, nothing beats walking around and being able to take an even closer look yourself. The game also heavily influenced the time period I decided to set the model in. While I have chosen to leave it mostly ambiguous, you may notice a lack of any modern technology such as smartphones and other more modern electronics. Another game I wish to highlight is Fears to Fathom, which 4th episode, Ironbark Lookout, also takes place in and around a lookout tower. The shed side build especially was heavily influenced by the one found within FTF.

The smaller environmental details around the base of the tower were of course also just as important as the tower itself. The little things matter just as much as the main features. I mention this as this is where I must thank the Lego MOC making community! My forte is in space ships and the more nature oriented details don't come as naturally to me (haha). This was the only time where I actually took a look at other models set deep in the woods. So thank you to anyone who has ever built a forest out of Lego, this model would not have been complete without you!

Main Builds: This model is composed of 3 separate structures: the titular lookout tower, a small shed for storing fire wood as well as the most important building of them all, an outhouse!

Lookout Tower

The tower is equipped with all the necessities one could need to survive the long summers of fire watching! A small pot belly stove for warmth, an oven for cooking, a refrigerator for storing food and some cabinets for general storage.

To pass the time in your solitude you can listen to some funky beats on the stereo or play them yourself with that guitar on the wall. Perhaps you could write something with the typewriter, or read someone else's works from the bookshelf. Or you could just simply sleep all day on that comfy bed, that might hinder you from spotting any fires though.

If a fire is to actually break out, then you can pinpoint its position with that fancy Osborne fire finder, smack dab in the middle of your tower! And if a smaller fire is to break out near you or perhaps you cooked your breakfast a bit too hot, that fire extinguisher is gonna come in real handy!

There’s also a large map on the wall of the surrounding area marked with your as well as 2 of your neighbouring towers. And next to the bed a lantern for night time reading or going down for a starlit bathroom break!

At the base of your tower is also a generator for powering up your whole operation!

Storage Shed

The shed is filled with fire wood to last all summer and even if you're to run out you can always use that axe on the wall to chop down some more. There’s also a brand spanking new workbench and toolkit which you could use for all kinds of crafting if the amenities up in your tower don’t tickle your fancy.

Outside we’ve also got some more fuel for your generator!

Outhouse

It’s an outhouse what else did ya expect, and yes we’ve got toilet paper! Remember to bring a lantern or flashlight after dark though!

Minifigures: Included with the model are 6 (mostly) distinct minifigures!

Lookout: The man of the hour! He’s here to make sure most of the forest is still standing tomorrow and by extension all our homes. It even looks like he’s brought his daughter along on the job as well. Not sure if that’s entirely allowed, but hey, who’s here to judge.
Lookout’s Daughter: She’s quite handy with the camera and in high hopes of snapping some pictures of the local wildlife!

Rangers: Well they might judge, I’m sure they’re nice folks though. They’re just here to make sure no one’s up to any funny business after all.
Maintenance Worker: Has your generator gone down? Well, he’s your guy! And if anything else breaks I’m sure he can handle that too!
Hiker: Looks like she might’ve gone a bit off trail, maybe you could show her the way back to civilization with that map of yours!

Animals: This model also includes 11 animals in total; a deer, a squirrel, 5 small birds, a frog, a snail and 2 butterflies! Can you find them all hiding amongst the luscious greenery?

Plant life: The surrounding terrain is speckled with loads of varied plant life such as; a large pine tree, a birch tree, small spruce tree, various flowers and mushrooms as well as other greenery!

Stickers: I knew I had to create at least one stickered element for the model, that of course being the Osborne fire finder, a necessity for any good lookout tower. And since I was going to be designing some kind of map for the model, I figured why not take all I can get out of one design and add a large wall map as well and hit 2 birds with 1 stone! Well 3 actually, since I decided to add a smaller map as well, which is identical in design to the larger one.

Now I’m not a graphic designer by any stretch, but I do hope they at least get the idea across!

TLDR: Key Features & Details

The model is composed of 3 separate structures; the lookout tower, a storage shed and an outhouse.
All buildings feature fully detailed interiors.
The lookout tower's roof and the shed’s roof and front wall are fully removable for easy access inside.
The terrain surrounding each building features plenty of varied plantlife as well as a removable generator at the base of the tower.
6 minifigures
11 animals
6 stickers

Model Dimensions

Lookout Tower

W: 35.2 cm / 13.9 in

L: 36.5 cm / 14.4 in

H: 54.9 cm / 21.6 in

Storage Shed

W: 12.1 cm / 4.8” in

L: 17.6 cm / 6.9 in

H: 11.0 cm / 4.3 in

Outhouse

W: 12.8 cm / 5.3 in

L: 13.6 cm / 5.0 in

H: 15.8 cm / 6.2 in

If you love Lookout Towers even half as much as I do, your support would be greatly appreciated! As well as any and all feedback and/or questions, I’ll try to get back to as many of you as possible! Thank you in advance and for reading this way too long a description!