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A Wildlife Observation Tower with Tiered Viewing Platforms

Author:
Paul Jones
A Wildlife Observation Tower with Tiered Viewing Platforms
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The proposal examines a viewing structure within a protected natural environment in Latvia. It explores how elevated platforms can provide varied visual experiences while maintaining minimal ecological impact.
5 key facts about this project
01
The viewing structure integrates with natural forms.
02
Tiered platforms provide varied viewing conditions.
03
Manual winch system ensures accessibility for all visitors.
04
Foundations use auger-bored techniques to protect ecology.
05
Light influences the atmosphere within the structure.

This proposal explores a viewing structure within Kemeri National Park, Latvia, intended to heighten visitors’ connection with the surrounding landscape. Rising above the terrain, it frames a range of perspectives—from close observations of wildlife to expansive views across the park. The intent is to provide varied visual experiences that encourage reflection on the natural environment while minimizing ecological impact.

Spatial Strategy and Accessibility
The design references natural forms such as trees and reeds, allowing the structure to integrate with its setting. Tiered platforms create multiple viewing conditions, from intimate vantage points to panoramic horizons. The main platform, positioned as the largest viewing area, offers wide-ranging views of the park’s ecological diversity. Accessibility is supported by a manual winch system, enabling visitors of different abilities to reach elevated levels and participate fully in the viewing experience.

Materiality and Environmental Considerations
The project suggests the use of a lightweight framework to reduce environmental disturbance, with foundations installed through auger-bored techniques to protect vegetation and wildlife. Light plays an important role in shaping the experience, as shifting conditions throughout the day alter the atmosphere within and around the structure. By combining careful siting with minimal intervention, the proposal emphasizes a balance between human presence and ecological preservation.

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

`
Competition organisers

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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