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Charred Wood Shingles and Natural Stone Create a Seamless Visitor Experience in a Nature Reserve

Authors:
Jose Lacruz vela, Naomi Njoki nyaga njonjo
Charred Wood Shingles and Natural Stone Create a Seamless Visitor Experience in a Nature Reserve

Project in-detail

Utilizing charred wood shingles and local stone, the visitor center enhances the immersive experience of Great Kemeri National Park while fostering education and environmental engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes locally sourced charred wood shingles for enhanced durability and aesthetic integration.
02
Incorporates cross-laminated timber panels to optimize structural performance and sustainability.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that harmonizes with the surrounding landscape.
04
Includes a network of permeable pathways to minimize environmental impact.
05
Integrates educational exhibition zones that promote awareness of local biodiversity.
The project presents a visitor center designed for Great Kemeri National Park in Latvia, aiming to enhance the visitor experience while maintaining a strong connection to the natural environment. This architectural design integrates functional spaces with the landscape, creating a seamless interaction between built and natural elements. The center serves as an educational hub, offering information and resources about the park's biodiversity and cultural significance.

The visitor center operates as a multifunctional space. It includes exhibition areas, observation points, and play zones, catering to a wide range of audience needs. The design emphasizes accessibility and promotes exploration through a network of pathways that guide visitors while minimizing ecological disruption. Various zones are created within the layout, allowing for social interaction, passive observation, and active engagement with the environment.

The project's distinctive approach lies in its sensitivity to the local context and emphasis on using regional materials. The architecture features a strong reliance on local stone and timber, ensuring the structures resonate with the natural landscape. This focus on materiality supports sustainability objectives and reflects an understanding of the ecological narrative inherent to the park.

Integration with the landscape is another unique aspect of the design. The use of a linear format allows the visitor center to flow with the topography, providing panoramic views and fostering a deep connection to the surrounding ecosystem. This architectural approach emphasizes the sensory experience of nature, inviting visitors to engage with the environment on multiple levels.

The inclusion of specific features such as the observation tower offers unique vantage points for visitors, fostering a sense of discovery. The design of play areas promotes interaction through nature-based elements, encouraging children and families to experience the outdoors in a dynamic way. Moreover, the building’s glass facades enhance visibility and transparency, contributing to a harmonious relationship between interior and exterior spaces.

The project exemplifies a commitment to celebrating the local culture and ecology, providing a model for future architectural endeavors in natural settings. Its careful consideration of function, material, and context delivers a visitor center that meets diverse needs while respecting the environment. To gain a deeper understanding of the project’s architectural plans, sections, and design ideas, readers are encouraged to explore the complete project presentation.
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MICROHOME
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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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