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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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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.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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