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A Vertical Walkway for Forest Exploration and Observation

Author:
Aaron Ramírez Montero
A Vertical Walkway for Forest Exploration and Observation
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Located within a forested area of Kemeri National Park, Latvia, the structure provides elevated viewpoints that encourage exploration and observation of the natural landscape. Its design emphasizes a gradual ascent through the forest, guiding visitors along ramps that lead to multiple platforms.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design encourages an ascending journey through the forest.
02
The tower features a vertical sequence of ramps.
03
Distinct perspectives are provided at each platform level.
04
Materials minimize environmental impact and blend with surroundings.
05
Sheltered spaces offer calm settings for visitor observation.

The conceptual project is situated within a forested area of Kemeri National Park, Latvia, and functions as a lookout point that encourages exploration and engagement with the natural environment. The design emphasizes an ascending journey through the forest, guiding visitors along a defined pathway that culminates in elevated platforms with varied viewpoints. The structure provides visual access to the surrounding landscape while offering sheltered spaces for observation and pause.

Spatial Strategy
The tower is organized around a vertical sequence of ramps leading to two primary platforms. Each level presents a distinct perspective of the forest, creating a layered experience of the site. The gradual ascent allows for moments of reflection and emphasizes the spatial progression through the canopy and understory, fostering a measured engagement with the environment.

Materiality and Environmental Integration
Materials are selected to minimize environmental impact and to allow the structure to integrate with its surroundings. Platforms and ramps are designed to be unobtrusive within the forest, respecting the existing landscape. The tower also interacts with natural light, casting shifting patterns of shadow that change throughout the day, enhancing the sensory experience of the forest while maintaining a restrained architectural presence.

User Experience
The observation points provide sheltered spaces for visitors, offering calm and contemplative settings within the forest. The arrangement of ramps and platforms facilitates both movement and stationary observation, allowing visitors to engage with the landscape at varying scales and perspectives.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

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