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A Visitor Facility with a Vertical Observation Tower

Author:
Max Fabris
A Visitor Facility with a Vertical Observation Tower
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The proposal examines a visitor-oriented facility situated within a natural park landscape, designed to accommodate both recreational and educational functions. The study considers how spatial organization, vertical circulation, and cultural elements can enhance the visitor experience while addressing operational needs such as security and staff requirements.
5 key facts about this project
01
A vertical element provides a visual landmark visible from various points in the landscape.
02
The building is elevated from the ground, creating additional usable space beneath.
03
Foldable stairs enhance security while allowing controlled access to the structure.
04
An amphitheater facilitates outdoor cultural events and community engagement.
05
The decorative screen is inspired by traditional patterns, adding cultural significance.

This proposal outlines a visitor facility located within a natural park setting, intended as a multifunctional space that accommodates staff, exhibition areas, and a café while fostering engagement with the surrounding landscape. The design is structured around a courtyard that organizes these programmatic elements into a coherent layout. A central vertical element serves as both an observation point and a recognizable landmark, offering panoramic views and guiding orientation within the park.

Spatial Organization and Program
The layout distinguishes between staff functions, exhibition spaces, and café operations to ensure clarity of circulation and diverse user experiences. Outdoor gathering is supported by an amphitheater, designed to host cultural events and performances that strengthen community interaction. The integration of a decorative screen featuring traditional patterns adds a cultural dimension to the architecture, wrapping around the glass volume and contrasting with the white exterior.

Security and Structural Strategy
The facility is elevated above ground level to reduce vulnerability to vandalism and to create additional functional space beneath the structure. Access is controlled through foldable stairs, balancing security requirements with ease of entry. The vertical observation tower extends this structural strategy, offering elevated viewpoints across the park and reinforcing the relationship between architecture and its natural surroundings.

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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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