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Cave-Inspired Structure With Solid Walls Enhancing Pedestrian Connectivity

Authors:
Guanghui Lu, Bowen Zuo, Jizhao Peng
Cave-Inspired Structure With Solid Walls Enhancing Pedestrian Connectivity

Project in-detail

The underground section mimicking natural caves, combined with solid walls, creates an engaging bridge that enhances pedestrian connectivity while enriching the cultural experience in Sigulda, Latvia.
5 key facts about this project
01
The bridge incorporates an underground section resembling natural cave formations.
02
Solid walls blend with the landscape to reflect the region's historical context.
03
A nighttime botanical garden enhances user engagement with the environment.
04
Observation platforms provide varied perspectives of the surrounding natural beauty.
05
The design prioritizes barrier-free accessibility for all visitors.

In Sigulda, Latvia, a new bridge design merges with the natural beauty of Gauja National Park. The structure serves two main functions: it acts as a pathway for pedestrians and also provides an engaging educational space. By integrating elements of a mini museum, the design connects visitors with the area's cultural and historical context, establishing a dialogue between the environment and the past.

Design Concept

The bridge incorporates an underground section that resembles natural caves, creating a unique spatial experience. Visitors can explore this area, promoting interaction with the surroundings. Above ground, the bridge connects significant sites such as Spieķu Parks and the Sigulda Evangelic Lutheran Church. This careful positioning encourages people to traverse the area, enhancing their understanding of the landscape and its features.

Spatial Dynamics

The design leverages differences in elevation to create varied experiences for users. Elevated platforms and viewing points invite visitors to appreciate the scenic vistas while ensuring accessibility. The inclusion of a nighttime botanical garden and a Green Tower serves both practical and aesthetic purposes. These elements enrich the environment and help raise awareness of local ecology, creating a multifunctional space for all.

Materiality and Integration

Solid walls and landscape features are key components of this project. They blend with the site, reflecting the historical significance of the region. By emphasizing natural textures, the bridge creates a connection between the structure and its surroundings. It invites users to engage with both the architecture and the landscape, fostering a deeper appreciation for the area.

Elevating the Design Experience

Attention to detail is evident throughout the structure. Textured surfaces evoke a connection to the natural environment, enhancing the overall sensory experience. Light interacts with the materials, creating a shifting visual landscape that alters with the time of day. Each visit presents a new perspective, allowing users to engage with nature in diverse ways that enrich their experience of the site.

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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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