Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Acoustic Structures and Circular Climb Crafted from Native Timber in a Wildlife Observation Space

Author:
Eric Senne
Acoustic Structures and Circular Climb Crafted from Native Timber in a Wildlife Observation Space
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Crafted from native timber and galvanized steel, this structure features a spiral ascent and integrated acoustic elements, creating an immersive space for wildlife observation in Pape Nature Park.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using locally sourced conifer wood to minimize environmental impact.
02
Features a spiral ascent that enhances visibility for wildlife observation.
03
Incorporates sound funnels to enrich the sensory experience of the park.
04
Provides accessible pathways designed for individuals with mobility challenges.
05
Utilizes self-watering planters to support native landscaping while conserving water.

## Overview

The Bird Observation Tower is situated near Pape Nature Park and designed to facilitate wildlife observation and education. The facility enhances the connection between visitors and the local environment, focusing on birdwatching and engagement with native flora and fauna. The design prioritizes sustainability, striving to minimize ecological disruption while providing accessible educational facilities.

## Integration with Natural Features

The tower is strategically located to deliver expansive views of Pape Nature Park, enhancing the visitor experience. Its placement reflects careful consideration of both aesthetic appeal and environmental impact. The structure combines native conifer wood for walkways, galvanized steel for the framework, and sustainable wood planks for flooring, all sourced locally to reduce transportation emissions. Additionally, integrated solar panels contribute to the energy needs of the facility, underscoring the commitment to renewable resources.

## Accessibility and Educational Design

The pathways leading to the tower feature a gentle gradient of approximately 6%, allowing individuals with mobility challenges to access the site comfortably. Design elements include sound funnels that capture and amplify ambient sounds from the natural environment, helping educate visitors about local wildlife and habitats. The observation deck incorporates a spiral configuration, providing varying viewpoints while facilitating a smooth ascent. Higher levels are designed for unobstructed observation, complemented by a pedestrian bridge crafted from horizontally tensioned stainless steel, linking the tower to surrounding areas.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

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.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
Rome 
Rain Rooms

Design a rain room for Rome

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 14 January 2026
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 28 January 2026
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 22 January 2026
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 4 February 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

Media, partners and clients

To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy