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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

Project in-detail

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 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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