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Charred Wooden Shingles and Expansive Glass Façades Define A Sustainable Visitor Gateway

Authors:
Hendrik Verlinden, Nathalie Havelange, Andreu Vélez
Charred Wooden Shingles and Expansive Glass Façades Define A Sustainable Visitor Gateway

Project in-detail

Crafted with charred wooden shingles and a transparent glass façade, the visitor gateway enhances the natural environment while providing essential access and services to Pape Nature Park.
5 key facts about this project
01
Designed with a bent A-frame structure to enhance natural light penetration.
02
Incorporates locally sourced charred wooden shingles for durability and aesthetic harmony.
03
Features extensive glass façades to create visual connectivity with the landscape.
04
Utilizes screw piles for foundational support, minimizing site disruption.
05
Includes colored planters integrated into the design to emphasize environmental engagement.

## Overview
The Pape Nature Park Gateway serves as the primary entrance to Pape Nature Park, located within a lush landscape. The structure is purposefully designed to integrate with its natural surroundings while providing essential services to park visitors. This project focuses on functionality and a cohesive architectural presence, facilitating the movement and experience of individuals entering the park.

## Architectural Forms and Volumes
The design includes several distinct building volumes, each serving a specific role. The gateway functions as a recognizable landmark that directs visitors into the park. Adjacent, the ticket booth ensures the smooth flow of visitors as they enter. A common room, equipped with kitchen and recreational facilities, fosters gathering among guests and staff. Separate sleeping quarters are designed for restful stays while maintaining a visual connection to the main structure.

### Spatial Organization
The spatial arrangement is crafted to enhance the visitor experience, with small, inviting entrances leading to expansive views of the park. Varying ceiling heights and sloped roofs create a dynamic atmosphere that stimulates curiosity and exploration, encouraging visitors to engage with their environment. Pathways and outdoor seating extend from the building, inviting individuals to linger and interact with the natural landscape.

## Materiality and Construction
The project emphasizes sustainability through the selection of materials that are both locally sourced and environmentally responsible. Prominent use of local timber provides warmth while reinforcing the regional character. Steel provides structural integrity with minimal environmental impact, and abundant glass creates a visual connection between indoors and outdoors, optimizing natural light throughout the building.

Additional features include colored planters that enhance the connection between the structure and the landscape, along with screw piles for foundation support, which minimize disruption to the grounds. These elements collectively support a construction ethos that prioritizes ecological sensitivity and well-being.

### Energy Efficiency and User Engagement
The design incorporates energy-efficient systems, such as solar panels and wind turbines, to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources. The architectural elements are configured to promote sensory engagement with the environment, allowing visitors to experience the sights, sounds, and scents of the natural surroundings vividly. The calculated visual axes direct attention to significant vistas, enriching visitors' experiences and encouraging deeper exploration of the landscape.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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