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A Visitor Centre Bridging Motorway and Wetland Landscapes

Authors:
Karlis Kukainis, Linda Ledina, Jatiphak Boonmun
A Visitor Centre Bridging Motorway and Wetland Landscapes
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The design explores the relationship between a visitor facility and its surrounding bog landscape, emphasizing gradual engagement with nature. It organizes circulation and functional spaces to guide visitors through distinct zones while accommodating social and recreational activities
5 key facts about this project
01
The visitor centre features two separate buildings.
02
An earth berm defines arrival and recreational zones.
03
A green wall introduces native plants at the entrance.
04
Reclaimed electrical poles are used in the structure.
05
Rainwater is harvested for café and restroom use.

The Great Ķemeri Bog Visitor Centre is proposed within Ķemeri National Park, Latvia, as a study for a facility that mediates between the active environment of a nearby motorway and the quiet bog landscape. The design seeks to gradually guide visitors into the natural setting, promoting awareness and engagement with the ecosystem. Its form and layout respond to the local topography and vegetation, fostering a sensitive connection between people and the surrounding environment.

Spatial Strategy
The centre is organized around two separate buildings, linked by an earth berm that defines arrival and recreational zones. Distinct areas accommodate an information centre, gallery space, café, and visitor amenities such as showers and toilets. A green wall at the entrance introduces native plants, while a sheltered terrace extends the café outdoors. Recreational elements, including a playground, beach volleyball court, and a platform mimicking a bog environment with a central birch tree, provide multiple opportunities for interaction and observation of the landscape.

Materiality and Sustainability
Structural and finish materials are selected for durability and ecological performance. Reclaimed electrical poles form part of the structure, while rainwater harvested from roofs is used for the café and restrooms. The roof design evokes a forest canopy, aligning with surrounding trees to offer shelter and visual continuity. The overall material strategy supports environmental responsibility while integrating functional facilities with the natural context.

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Vancouver Tall Challenge: Building Higher Downtown

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Competition organisers

The Vancouver Tall Challenge: Building Higher Downtown is an international architecture competition organized by Buildner in collaboration with the City of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA). The competition invites architects, designers, planners, and creative thinkers to explore innovative approaches to tall buildings in Vancouver’s downtown core, focusing on sustainability, livability, urban density, public space, and the city’s strong connection to nature. As Vancouver continues to grow, participants are challenged to rethink how vertical development can enhance urban life and contribute to a more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient city identity.

The competition offers a total prize fund of $15,000 CAD, with winning proposals selected by an international jury of architects, planners, academics, and city-building professionals. Key dates include the final registration deadline on October 29, 2026, submission deadline on November 30, 2026, and winners announcement on January 26, 2027. Full competition details, requirements, and registration information are available at architecturecompetitions.com/VancouverTallChallenge

Vancouver Tall Challenge

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