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Curvilinear Timber Structure Enhancing Birdwatching Through Elevated Observation Platforms

Authors:
Robin Beele, Tim Rethwilm, Viktor Ljubschin
Curvilinear Timber Structure Enhancing Birdwatching Through Elevated Observation Platforms

Project in-detail

The hyperboloid form crafted from timber and steel rises above the Pape Nature Reserve, providing an elevated vantage point for observing bird migration while seamlessly integrating with the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
The tower's hyperboloid shape enhances structural stability while minimizing material use.
02
Three observation platforms provide diverse perspectives on bird migration patterns.
03
Timber and steel materials were selected to ensure environmental integration and durability.
04
The design incorporates natural light through large openings without compromising safety.
05
The foundation employs a pile system to address the site's high water table effectively.

### Overview

The Pape Bird Observation Tower is situated in the Pape Nature Reserve in Latvia, an area characterized by its diverse ecosystems of forests and wetlands near the Baltic Sea. The tower is designed to facilitate bird observation while integrating with the natural landscape, providing visitors with an immersive experience. The architectural intent emphasizes both functionality and ecological sensitivity, reflecting a harmony with the surrounding environment.

### Spatial Strategy

The design of the tower features a hyperboloid form that not only captures the attention but enhances various viewing experiences. It incorporates three overlapping platforms at heights of 1.90 meters, 4.60 meters, and 7.30 meters, allowing for diverse sightlines and a comprehensive 360-degree perspective on bird migration patterns. The bell-mouth shape expands outward as visitors ascend, providing larger observation areas while maintaining an inviting sense of enclosure. The thoughtful arrangement of structural members promotes transparency, allowing natural light to filter through and minimizing the visual mass of the structure.

### Material Selection

Materiality plays a crucial role in the tower's design, contributing to both its aesthetic and functional attributes. The primary materials include wood, selected for its warm appearance and natural integration with the forest, and steel, which reinforces structural integrity with flexibility. Lightweight chipboard forms part of the roofing system, complemented by waterproof membrane layers for effective moisture protection. A concrete pile foundation ensures stability within the site's high water table context. This careful selection supports a lightweight construction, promoting an airy environment that encourages visitor engagement with the adjacent landscape while adhering to sustainable practices.

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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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