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Canopy of Wooden Flowers Crafted with Regional Spruce in an Interactive Pavilion

Author:
Michaela Maresch
Canopy of Wooden Flowers Crafted with Regional Spruce in an Interactive Pavilion
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A canopy of wooden flowers crafted from regional spruce creates an immersive environment in a pavilion designed for educational engagement with the significance of wood and its applications.
5 key facts about this project
01
The pavilion's design features a canopy of wooden flowers that enhances the visitor experience.
02
Interactive QR codes are integrated into the joinery, allowing educational engagement with the wood's significance.
03
Crafted primarily from regional construction spruce to support local materials and sustainability.
04
Visitors walk on soft wooden pellets, adding a unique tactile experience to the structure.
05
The pavilion offers 360-degree accessibility, allowing varied perspectives and interactions.

The HolzHerz pavilion serves as a unique installation designed to reflect nature through its engaging form. Located within a picturesque landscape, the pavilion acts as an educational space, emphasizing the significance of wood in modern design. The overall concept draws inspiration from the shape of a heart, symbolizing the bond between architecture and the environment, while aiming to create an inviting experience for its visitors.

Concept and Atmosphere

The design features a canopy made up of wooden flowers, resulting in an interior that feels vibrant and alive, reminiscent of being in a forest. Natural light and shades of green fill the space, contributing to its immersive quality. This arrangement allows visitors to experience the building as an extension of the surrounding nature, effectively combining indoor and outdoor elements.

Interactive Features

One notable aspect of the pavilion is its use of technology. QR codes are laser-etched into the joinery, providing an opportunity for visitors to engage with an online quiz about the importance of wood in Austria. By participating in this quiz, guests can learn about the environmental roles and economic significance of wood, thereby enriching their visit and making each interaction educational.

Materiality and Sustainability

The pavilion is primarily constructed from regional spruce, which highlights sustainable design practices and supports local resources. It showcases various types of wood finishes, such as natural, coated, and oiled, allowing visitors to view the different applications of wood in building projects. By focusing on local materials, the design establishes a connection to its environment and illustrates the qualities of wood as a material.

Spatial Experience

Designed for accessibility, the HolzHerz pavilion offers visitors views and interactions from multiple angles. The layout promotes exploration, encouraging individuals to engage with the structure throughout their visit. A soft layer of wooden pellets on the floor enhances the tactile experience, leading guests through the space while deepening their relationship with the pavilion's architectural story.

Within the wooden framework, the pavilion provides a rich sensory experience that combines sight, sound, and touch, contributing to an architecture that harmonizes with its natural surroundings.

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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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