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Bird Walks and Green Roofs in a Visitor Center Above the Wetlands

Author:
Shema John
Bird Walks and Green Roofs in a Visitor Center Above the Wetlands

Project in-detail

Elevated on stilts and integrated with green roofs, the visitor center offers immersive bird-watching experiences while promoting ecological education within the wetlands.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated structure minimizes land disturbance and protects the surrounding ecosystem.
02
Green roofs planted with native species create sustainable habitats for local bird populations.
03
A dedicated bird walk extends into the wetlands for direct wildlife observation.
04
Semi-open walls enhance natural ventilation, reducing energy consumption.
05
Educational spaces are designed to engage urban youth with environmental stewardship.

The visitor center within the reserve is designed to blend with its natural environment, taking cues from the shapes and forms of the local sand dunes. It serves as an educational space, inviting people to learn about and appreciate the local wildlife and ecosystems. The design aims to connect visitors to the surroundings, ensuring that the structure does not disrupt the existing landscape.

Design Concept

This building features a form that reflects the gentle curves of the sand dunes in the area. Large shaded verandahs enhance the experience by bridging the indoor spaces with the outdoors. A bird walk extends into the wetlands, allowing visitors to observe wildlife in a natural setting. This connection between built spaces and nature is a central idea of the design.

Sustainability Initiatives

Sustainability is an important aspect of the visitor center. Green roofs are introduced that are planted with native wild bush species. These green areas not only provide beautiful views but also create habitats for local birds. By encouraging wildlife to thrive, the design supports biodiversity and helps regulate the building's temperature, contributing to energy savings throughout the year.

Structural Considerations

The visitor center is elevated on stilts, which helps minimize digging and protects the natural ground below. This design choice also creates shaded parking spaces underneath, which keeps vehicles cool in warmer weather. The structure includes semi-open walls that allow fresh air to flow through the space naturally, reducing the need for air conditioning and enhancing comfort inside.

Interior Experience

Inside, large glass openings provide visitors with constant views of the wetlands. This layout creates a strong link between the interior spaces and nature, allowing guests to feel connected to the environment as they move through lounges, training rooms, cafés, and kitchens. The choice of materials and finishes throughout the center complements the idea of being integrated with nature, further enhancing the overall experience.

The visitor center reflects a careful balance between built space and the natural landscape, offering an engaging environment that encourages learning and interaction with the surrounding ecosystem.

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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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