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Canopy Structure Featuring Charred Wooden Shingles Overlooking Wetlands for Community Engagement

Authors:
Bas Ten brinke, Ewelina Bugajewicz, Bartosz Matuszek, Azat Dzhunushev
Canopy Structure Featuring Charred Wooden Shingles Overlooking Wetlands for Community Engagement

Project in-detail

The combination of a canopy structure with charred wooden shingles creates a seamless transition between interior and exterior environments, enhancing visitor engagement while serving as a functional center for education and recreation in the wetlands.
5 key facts about this project
01
Canopy structure enhances visitor interaction with the surrounding wetlands.
02
Charred wooden shingles provide both aesthetic appeal and fire resistance.
03
Cross-laminated timber panels reduce carbon footprint through sustainable sourcing.
04
Innovative bent A-frame design maximizes interior volume while minimizing site disruption.
05
Flexible spaces accommodate diverse educational programs and community activities.
The Kemeri Visitor Center is an architectural project designed to enhance visitor engagement with Kemeri National Park's natural environment. Situated in a region characterized by vast wetlands and woodlands, the center serves as an educational and recreational hub for visitors seeking to explore the park. The building incorporates sustainable design principles, ensuring minimal disruption to the natural landscape while providing essential amenities for users.

The center is composed of multiple functional spaces, including a central plaza, exhibition areas, ticket sales, restrooms, and a café. This arrangement promotes ease of movement and interaction among visitors while offering a diverse range of activities within a cohesive setting. The emphasis on open spaces leads to fluid connectivity between indoor and outdoor areas, inviting visitors to experience the natural beauty surrounding the site.

Unique Design Approaches

What distinguishes the Kemeri Visitor Center is its integration of the surrounding environment into the architectural design. The use of natural materials such as wood and glass was intentional, creating harmony with the local ecosystem and facilitating a sense of place. Unlike typical visitor centers, which may adopt a more conventional form, this design draws on existing features of the site, such as the region's pathways, influencing the overall layout and circulation.

The structure employs a canopy system that extends outward to provide shade and shelter, enhancing comfort for visitors and fostering a connection with the landscape. Large glass panels enable transparency, allowing natural light to permeate the interiors while offering views of the adjacent wetlands. This approach emphasizes the importance of experiencing nature even while within built spaces, encouraging mindfulness and environmental appreciation.

Sustainability and Community Engagement

Sustainability is a key focus of the project. The choice of energy-efficient materials and systems reflects a commitment to reducing environmental impact while enhancing the visitor experience. Features such as rainwater harvesting and strategic landscaping work together to support local ecosystems. The design promotes community engagement by providing flexible spaces that can accommodate various events, workshops, and educational programs, thereby enhancing the role of the visitor center as a community resource.

This project represents a thoughtful response to both ecological and social needs, providing a space that is functional, engaging, and in tune with its natural surroundings. For more in-depth information, including architectural plans, sections, and design concepts, interested readers are encouraged to explore the full details of this project presentation.
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

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

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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