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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.
The Pape Nature Park Gateway is a purposeful architectural intervention designed as the primary entrance to Pape Nature Park. Situated within a natural landscape, this project integrates seamlessly with its surroundings while serving vital visitor functions. The design emphasizes a connection to nature and facilitates the flow of visitors entering the park.

The gateway consists of multiple volumes, each catering to specific operational needs such as ticket sales, visitor gathering areas, and accommodations. This arrangement supports both functional requirements and the architectural intent of creating a welcoming environment. The overall layout encourages exploration and interaction with the surrounding landscape.

Unique Design Approaches

A fundamental aspect of the Pape Nature Park Gateway is its emphasis on sustainability and local resource utilization. The structure employs locally sourced timber, integrating natural materials into the architecture, contributing to a warm aesthetic while minimizing environmental impact. The inclusion of steel for structural support and large glass panels enhances the building's transparency, promoting an unobstructed view of the park scenery.

The adaptive energy systems, including solar panels and wind turbines, showcase the design's commitment to environmental responsibility, allowing for energy independence and reduced reliance on external power sources. These features make the building not just a functional entry point but also a model for sustainable architecture in natural contexts.

Architectural details such as outdoor seating areas and pathways lead visitors from the entrance into the heart of the park, enhancing their experience and encouraging them to engage more deeply with nature. The design incorporates careful consideration of spatial relationships, guiding users through varied elevations and vistas, facilitating an immersive journey from architecture to landscape.

Functional Spaces and Visitor Experience

Key functional spaces within the Pape Nature Park Gateway include the ticket booth, a common area equipped with kitchen facilities, and adjacent sleeping quarters designed for staff and visitors. Each area is thoughtfully separated yet visually connected, allowing for ease of movement and interaction. The design promotes social gatherings while maintaining areas for solitude and reflection, catering to diverse user needs.

Careful attention to the spatial organization enhances visitor flow, with entrances that respect the natural topography. Unique features such as colored planters are integrated throughout the site, reinforcing thematic connections to the surrounding landscape and providing visual interest.

The Pape Nature Park Gateway stands out in architectural practice due to its emphasis on creating a dialogue between structure and environment. By reviewing architectural plans, sections, designs, and ideas related to this project, readers can gain insight into the project's concepts and its role within the landscape. Exploring the presentation further will provide a comprehensive understanding of the architectural strategies employed in this design.
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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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