Build an Oriental Pearl Tower MOC: Step-by-Step Guide
The short version: this Oriental Pearl Tower MOC is built around three angled columns and two spheres. Curved pieces form the spheres, Technic parts make the angled supports, and the model uses about 900 parts. A 32 cm tall tower takes roughly 3 hours to assemble. It is a compact architectural build rather than a large display model, and the instructions are available as a free download on brickplan.cn.
Step 1: Build the base and three columns. Start with a round baseplate and add two reinforcement rings. The base sets the footprint, and the rings stiffen it before any load goes onto the columns. The three columns are made from long Technic rods set at an angle. Their bottom spacing is about 12 cm and the top closes to about 6 cm. That change creates the tower's classic wide-at-the-bottom, narrow-at-the-top profile. Because these columns are the structural core, set their spacing and angle before adding the spheres, and keep the three mounting points even so the spheres do not sit tilted.
Step 2: Build the lower sphere. The lower sphere is about 10 cm in diameter. Build it from curved plates, working from the equator toward the two poles and reducing each ring by 2 studs. A cross axle runs through the center and locks the sphere onto the point where the columns meet, so the sphere stays in place. The lower sphere is the larger visual anchor of the model, which makes it a good place to check that the rings close evenly. Sort the curved plates by size first; the rings use the same family of pieces but in shrinking counts.
Step 3: Build the upper sphere and observation level. The upper sphere is about 6 cm in diameter. Use the same ring method, but with half as many rings. Above the sphere, transparent pieces form the observation-level railing. The build then narrows into an antenna made from three stacked 1x6 rods, about 8 cm tall in total. Keep this upper assembly light and centered so the tower's top does not look off-axis, and align the transparent railing with the top of the sphere.
Step 4: Add details and lighting. Add a gray podium base at the bottom of the columns, with 1x2 bricks forming steps. Red transparent pieces can be dotted across the sphere surfaces to suggest nighttime lights, and a red round piece caps the antenna. The overall color scheme is white and pink, matching the real tower's palette. These details are small, but they break up the large sphere surfaces and make the model read more clearly as the Shanghai landmark. The podium also hides the bottom of the columns and gives the model a clean ground line.
When the model is complete, check that the column angles are symmetrical: the three columns should sit 120 degrees apart. brickplan.cn has a detailed parts list and step-by-step build diagrams. Curved pieces are the biggest cost item at about 120 needed, so confirm your stock before you start. If you plan to display the model, check that the base sits flat and that the tower stands without leaning.
FAQ
Q: How do you build the sphere in an Oriental Pearl Tower MOC? A: Build it from curved plates, working from the middle toward the top and bottom and reducing each ring by 2 studs. Close the top with a round plate. A 10 cm sphere needs about 8 rings of curved pieces. Run a cross axle through the center to fix the sphere, and it will hold firmly on the columns.
Q: Can you build the Oriental Pearl Tower without curved pieces? A: Yes. You can replace the curved pieces with 1x2 bricks and 1x1 bricks stepped inward layer by layer. The resulting sphere looks faceted rather than smooth, but it reads well from a distance. The surface is less smooth than with curved pieces, and the brick count rises by about 30 percent.
Q: Is the Oriental Pearl Tower MOC worth building? A: Yes. At about 900 parts and roughly 3 hours, it is a medium-small architectural MOC. The finished model is 32 cm tall and highly recognizable on a shelf. It works well as a gift or display piece, and it feels more rewarding than buying a finished model.
Q: What is the difference between an Oriental Pearl Tower MOC and an Eiffel Tower MOC? A: The Eiffel Tower is a four-sided lattice structure that narrows symmetrically. The Oriental Pearl Tower uses three columns to support two spheres, so the structure is more complex, and the spheres are the unique building challenge. Both take up little floor space at the base, but the Oriental Pearl Tower uses more curved pieces.