Crooked Wizard's Tower

In the heart of a dense, mystical forest lies a winding path that leads adventurous travellers on a spiralling trek up a small, rocky hill. At the crest of this hill stands a remarkable structure: the Crooked Wizard’s Tower. This tower, home to a kind and wise wizard, is a testament to the wizard's dedication to his craft. The wizard too immersed in his magical studies, has neither the time nor the inclination to construct a perfectly symmetrical tower, thus he constructed the tower to stand, on mere whim, charmingly crooked and unique.

The Crooked Wizard’s Tower is built on a circular base, ensuring it is visually appealing from every angle. The structure features a simply designed elevator that rises to the height of 34 LEGO bricks, emerging to a small dwelling at the tower's top. The reversed spout shaped roof of the tower is removable, allowing for a detailed view of the interior. This elevator operates through the means of a water wheel located at the back of the hill to power its ascent. Additionally, the tower includes a hidden cave full of treasure, which can be revealed by rolling aside the boulder that covers its entrance.

The concept for this set was born from a desire to create a tower unlike any other. The initial inspiration came from Disney’s classic animation, “The Sword in the Stone,” where the legendary wizard Merlin resides in a crooked tower within the castle walls. The decision to build it crooked was in the way it would challenge me in building a structure that, despite its multi directional appearance, would be stable, visually appealing, and packed with interactive features. The aim was to design a set that is not only unique but also enjoyable to build, display, and play with. For fans of fantasy and castle-themed sets, the Crooked Wizard’s Tower would make a delightful addition to any collection.

When designing this set, I focused on several key elements to ensure it stood out. First was to have it set on a hill to help it stand out from the forest and allow greater access to the towers entrance. Creating the circular base not only allowed for the ability to rotate the tower to been seen at any angle but helped with the structural support of the elevator shaft. The decision to use the water wheel to operate the elevator adds both a functional and whimsical touch, reflecting the magical theme. I then decided to utilize the extra space within the hill to create a hidden cave, to help introduce an element of mystery and adventure and encourage imaginative play.

Building the tower itself involved careful planning to ensure stability despite its deliberately crooked design. The elevator shaft serves as the central support structure, providing the necessary strength to maintain the tower's integrity. The top of the tower is offset by three studs in both length and width from the base, that helps in the design of creating the crooked appearance. This effect is achieved through the use of multiple hinge points, allowing the outer shell of the towers segments to tilt at multiple angles while still being securely anchored at both the base and the top of the shaft. This design not only ensures aesthetic appeal but also structural integrity, resulting in a tower that is both charmingly uneven and robust.