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Birch-Skinned Visitor Center Featuring Rainwater Harvesting and Outdoor Recreation Spaces

Authors:
Laurent Saint-val, Olivier Amat, Clara FAURE
Birch-Skinned Visitor Center Featuring Rainwater Harvesting and Outdoor Recreation Spaces

Project in-detail

Constructed with a birch skin and equipped with a rainwater harvesting system, the visitor center enhances ecological engagement while providing essential outdoor recreation spaces within the Pope Nature Park.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a birch skin that enhances environmental integration.
02
Incorporates a rainwater collection system for sustainable water management.
03
Features a large volumetric opening that fosters community interaction.
04
Includes a camping area specifically designed for family engagement.
05
Utilizes prefabrication techniques for efficient on-site assembly.

The Pope Nature Gateway is located at the entrance of the Pope Nature Park, designed to enhance visitor interaction while respecting ecological balance. The goal is to create a smooth transition between the architecture and the natural surroundings, emphasizing the park’s diverse wildlife and plant life. Functional spaces accommodate various activities, inviting visitors to engage with both the facility and the landscape.

Arrival Zone

The Arrival Zone is strategically placed at the entrance, providing essential features like pedestrian pathways and parking areas. This design ensures easy access for visitors, making the entrance an inviting point to connect with nature. From the moment visitors step into this zone, they begin their journey into the park, surrounded by the promise of exploration and discovery.

Infrastructure

A large volumetric opening characterizes the Infrastructure section, leading into a more private third space that includes a camping area and a playground. This part of the design caters to families and nature lovers, providing spaces for recreation and relaxation. By offering different activities within close proximity, the design encourages social interaction and community bonding.

Integration with Environment

This design emphasizes the importance of connecting with the natural environment. The structure is carefully integrated into the landscape, avoiding any sense of separation. Each element is thoughtfully placed to enhance visitors' experience of the surroundings. This integration invites a deeper appreciation of the ecological richness that the park has to offer.

Sustainable Features

Sustainability is a key consideration in the design. A wooden structure combined with birch skin supports efficient building practices. The roof incorporates triangular photovoltaic panels that collect solar energy for the facility. Additionally, a rainwater collection system directs water from the roof into an underground cistern, promoting responsible water management and reflecting a commitment to the environment.

Gutters are designed to efficiently channel rainwater, demonstrating the project's focus on sustainability while engaging with the landscape in a practical manner. This attention to detail supports both ecological stewardship and user experience, highlighting the balance between functionality and nature.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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