Architecture

Kristie Wolfe turns 1950s fire lookout tower into a room with a view

Kristie Wolfe turns 1950s fire lookout tower into a room with a view
Crystal Peak Lookout is currently available to rent on Airbnb
Crystal Peak Lookout is currently available to rent on Airbnb
View 18 Images
Crystal Peak Lookout measures 196 sq ft (18.2 sq m)
1/18
Crystal Peak Lookout measures 196 sq ft (18.2 sq m)
Crystal Peak Lookout's interior consists of one large open-plan space
2/18
Crystal Peak Lookout's interior consists of one large open-plan space 
Crystal Peak Lookout's interior includes some shelving filled with books
3/18
Crystal Peak Lookout's interior includes some shelving filled with books
Crystal Peak Lookout's basic kitchenette should be sufficient for making snacks and hot drinks
4/18
Crystal Peak Lookout's basic kitchenette should be sufficient for making snacks and hot drinks
As well as a fire lookout station, Crystal Peak Lookout was previously used as a hunting lodge
5/18
As well as a fire lookout station, Crystal Peak Lookout was previously used as a hunting lodge
While there's no bathroom in Crystal Peak Lookout, it does boast its own sauna
6/18
While there's no bathroom in Crystal Peak Lookout, it does boast its own sauna
Crystal Peak Lookout has a simple outhouse, so guests don't need to go in the woods
7/18
Crystal Peak Lookout has a simple outhouse, so guests don't need to go in the woods 
Crystal Peak Lookout's interior includes one bed
8/18
Crystal Peak Lookout's interior includes one bed
Crystal Peak Lookout's sauna is made from an old woodshed
9/18
Crystal Peak Lookout's sauna is made from an old woodshed 
A wood-burning stove keeps Crystal Peak Lookout warm
10/18
A wood-burning stove keeps Crystal Peak Lookout warm
Obviously, with it being a former fire lookout, Crystal Peak Lookout offers excellent views all-round
11/18
Obviously, with it being a former fire lookout, Crystal Peak Lookout offers excellent views all-round 
Crystal Peak Lookout's kitchenette is basic
12/18
Crystal Peak Lookout's kitchenette is basic
Crystal Peak Lookout is accessed by wooden steps and a trapdoor
13/18
Crystal Peak Lookout is accessed by wooden steps and a trapdoor
Crystal Peak Lookout measures 196 sq ft (18.2 sq m)
14/18
Crystal Peak Lookout measures 196 sq ft (18.2 sq m)
Crystal Peak Lookout is currently available to rent on Airbnb
15/18
Crystal Peak Lookout is currently available to rent on Airbnb
Crystal Peak Lookout is located on a 13 acre (5.2 hectare) plot in Fernwood, Idaho
16/18
Crystal Peak Lookout is located on a 13 acre (5.2 hectare) plot in Fernwood, Idaho
Crystal Peak Lookout's sauna is made from an old woodshed
17/18
Crystal Peak Lookout's sauna is made from an old woodshed
Though built in the 1950s, Crystal Peak Lookout was moved to its current location back in 1983
18/18
Though built in the 1950s, Crystal Peak Lookout was moved to its current location back in 1983
View gallery - 18 images

Dressmaker and designer Kristie Wolfe previously built a Hawaiian treehouse on a shoestring budget, as well as a hobbit house in Washington State. Her latest project is a fire lookout tower dating back to the 1950s, which she has renovated into an Airbnb rental.

Fire lookout towers used to be prevalent in the US and some are even still in use today, though most have been replaced by technology. This particular example is called Crystal Peak Lookout and was transported to its current location, a rural 13 acre (5.2 hectare) plot in Fernwood, Idaho, back in 1983. It was previously used as a hunting lodge before being acquired by Wolfe, who recently finished renovating it.

Access is gained by wooden steps and a trapdoor. Inside, it measures 196 sq ft (18.2 sq m), and consists of a single space containing a double bed, some seating and shelving, a kitchenette with stove, a cooler, a sink, and a wood-burning stove.

There don't appear to be any curtains or blinds, so we're guessing visitors will wake up with the sun, but with all that glazing, the views on offer should make the early rise well worth it. There's also no toilet up in the tower, so visitors use a log cabin outhouse on the ground. Wolfe turned an old woodshed nearby into a sauna, too.

Crystal Peak Lookout's interior includes one bed
Crystal Peak Lookout's interior includes one bed

Crystal Peak Lookout has some basic off-grid gear installed. Wolfe added solar lights and a solar panel setup for charging small electronics, like a tablet or phone.

If you'd like to spend some time in Crystal Peak Lookout, it's up for rent on Airbnb. Rates start at US$200, per night.

Source: Tiny House On The Prairie

View gallery - 18 images
1 comment
1 comment
Nik
Humping the loads of firewood required in winter, up to that height, would be no fun. Nor would trying to get to the lavatory in the middle of the night, in winter, or any other time for that matter. Insulation seems non-existent. So I guess that this would be a summertime habitation, which questions why the stove is there, as cleaning it and carting the debris away would also be a real chore. For me, a fun exercise in construction, but not a ''des-res!''