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Concrete Tubes and Glass Walls Create Engaging Connection to Wetlands

Authors:
Bas Ten brinke, Anastasia Ciorici, Dragan Petrovic, Sanne Mulder
Concrete Tubes and Glass Walls Create Engaging Connection to Wetlands

Project in-detail

Concrete tubes interlace with glass walls to form an engaging visitor center that connects guests to the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve through thoughtful design and sustainable practices.
5 key facts about this project
01
Visitor center integrates ramps that enhance accessibility while connecting visitors to the landscape.
02
Sun-shaded gardens beneath the structure support local wildlife and create tranquil gathering spaces.
03
Glass walls in the auditorium offer views of the wetlands while serving as an exhibition space for local bird species.
04
Concrete-filled steel tubes mimic the visual characteristics of reeds, enhancing the site's natural aesthetic.
05
The design incorporates sustainable features like rainwater management and solar energy potential.

The Flamingo Visitor Center is located near the Al Wathba Wetland Reserve and serves as a central point for visitors to connect with the natural environment. The design centers around two ramps that emerge from a shared starting point, creating a purposeful relationship between the building and its surroundings. Accessibility is a priority in this layout, ensuring that everyone can navigate the space easily while enjoying various amenities.

Design Configuration
- The dual ramp structure is a defining feature, evolving into a well-thought-out arrangement of floors and roofs. These ramps allow for wheelchair access, making the visitor center welcoming for all. The movement through this design encourages exploration and curiosity, guiding visitors from arrival to various areas of the center.

Garden Integration
- Underneath the building, a sun-shaded space fulfills multiple roles. It accommodates vehicles and pedestrians while also supporting local wildlife. This garden serves as a buffer, enhancing biodiversity and creating a relaxing environment where visitors can unwind. The relationship between the garden and the building fosters a sense of harmony with nature.

Interior Spaces
- Upon entering, visitors find a reception desk conveniently located to the left, facilitating easy access to information and services. The toilet core, positioned to the right, ensures convenience for all. The interior also features a café, providing areas for rest and social interaction. The auditorium, located towards the rear and separated by glass walls, offers views of the wetlands while serving as a space for presentations that showcase local bird species.

Structural and Environmental Features
- The ramps are supported by a framework of concrete-filled steel tubes, arranged in a manner that reflects the appearance of reeds in the surrounding environment. This not only serves a structural purpose but also adds visual interest. The glass curtain wall surrounding the ramps allows for natural light to fill the interior, creating an inviting atmosphere. The toilet core plays a key role in connecting the two ramps and houses necessary HVAC systems, reflecting thoughtful design choices that balance practicality with overall aesthetics.

Throughout the Flamingo Visitor Center, design choices encourage visitors to engage with the natural landscape. Features like rainwater management and solar energy readiness showcase a commitment to ecological responsibility, making the center a valuable educational and interactive space for all.

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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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