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Natural Logs and Ecological Engagement in a Baltic Observation Tower

Authors:
Mateusz Binkowski, Joanna Targowicz
Natural Logs and Ecological Engagement in a Baltic Observation Tower

Project in-detail

Situated within a protected natural reserve, the tower provides elevated observation points that allow visitors to engage with the surrounding landscape. The design emphasizes accessibility, ecological education, and the use of locally sourced materials.
5 key facts about this project
01
The tower features three observation levels for diverse views.
02
The first level has a 4% slope for accessibility.
03
Local logs and branches are used for construction.
04
Designed to enhance interaction with local wildlife.
05
Light plays a role in the structure's sensory experience.

Kemeri Natural Tower is located within Kemeri National Park, Latvia, and functions as an observation structure designed to facilitate visitor engagement with the surrounding natural environment. The tower provides three observation levels arranged to enhance accessibility and offer varied perspectives of the landscape, encouraging interaction with the park’s ecological and visual features.

Design and spatial organization
The tower’s observation platforms are arranged with gradually increasing slopes: 4% on the first level, 6% on the second, and 8% on the third. This progression ensures accessibility for a range of visitors while integrating movement as part of the experience. Each level supports different forms of engagement with the landscape, allowing visitors to observe and appreciate the park from multiple vantage points.

Materiality and ecological engagement
Constructed primarily from natural logs and branches, the tower draws on local building traditions and complements the surrounding environment. The use of locally sourced materials enhances sustainability and creates a tactile connection to nature. The design also highlights local wildlife, including sea eagles, woodpeckers, and black storks, supporting educational engagement and fostering environmental awareness. The interplay of light through the structure and its organic form reinforces the connection between visitors and the park, enhancing both visual and sensory experiences.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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