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Circular Visitor Center Featuring Split Palm Trunk Structure and Natural Integration

Author:
Prashant Salvi
Circular Visitor Center Featuring Split Palm Trunk Structure and Natural Integration
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Constructed with split palm trunk walls and a circular layout, the Visitor Center integrates natural landscapes to enhance the visitor experience while promoting universal accessibility.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using locally sourced split palm trunks for structural walls.
02
Incorporates a circular design to maximize natural light and views.
03
Features an inner court that blurs boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.
04
Ramps throughout ensure universal access for all visitors.
05
Offers two versions of a cantilevered boardwalk to enhance waterfront experience.

The design is situated in a landscape characterized by water, sand, and bluff. The main function is to serve as a Visitor Center, inviting the public to connect with the surrounding nature. The overall concept revolves around the use of a circular form, enabling visitors to appreciate views in all directions. This approach not only enhances the building's aesthetic but also fosters an interaction between indoor spaces and the natural environment.

Building Organization
Distinct zones are established within the layout, including a potential boardwalk and clearly identified Green and Yellow areas. These divisions guide the visitor experience and create a logical flow through the space. The layout is intentionally designed to highlight the natural features of the site, offering different experiences as guests explore.

Structural System
The structure relies on two rings made from split palm trunks, which provide support and stability. These walls are supplemented by brace walls, ensuring a strong and simple construction method. Shallow foundations have been installed manually, which is practical considering the environmental concerns associated with the location.

Accessibility and User Experience
A key feature of the design is its emphasis on universal access. Ramps are integrated throughout to assist with movement within the building, making it easy for all visitors to navigate the space. This focus on accessibility is complemented by a layout that enhances the visitor experience, with open areas connecting various levels and promoting engagement.

Inside, the design includes exhibition spaces, staff areas, and a main outdoor court. The arrangement encourages visitors to move freely and interact with the environment. Well-placed openings allow natural light to enter, creating a connection to the outdoor landscape and reinforcing the project’s goal of blending architecture with nature. Each design element works together to create a harmonious environment that reflects the character of the site.

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MICROHOME 2026
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The Next House: USA
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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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