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Cylindrical Restroom Facilities in a Reinforced Concrete Tower

Authors:
Francesco Bottaro, Cesare Cantoni
Cylindrical Restroom Facilities in a Reinforced Concrete Tower

Project in-detail

An inverted cone-shaped observation tower, constructed with reinforced concrete and featuring cylindrical restroom facilities, offers panoramic views of Kurgi Farm while facilitating public engagement with the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Inverted cone structure enhances verticality and visual impact.
02
Central reinforced concrete nucleus supports the tapered design.
03
Cylindrical restroom facilities optimize space and accessibility.
04
Panoramic terrace promotes engagement with the natural environment.
05
Natural lighting is maximized through open 360-degree layouts.

The observation tower located in the Nord-West section of Kurgi Farm stands at a height of 35 meters. It features an inverted truncated cone shape, which starts with a circular base of 6.70 meters in diameter and tapers to a width of 15 meters at the top. The tower functions as an observation point, allowing visitors to engage with the surrounding landscape while also serving as a noticeable landmark.

Structural Integrity
The tower is supported by a base that is buried 5 meters deep, adding stability necessary for such height. The building comprises five covered levels, featuring a central nucleus made of reinforced concrete that secures the tapering slabs. This setup ensures that the tower remains robust while providing open spaces at each level that enhance the visitor experience.

Access and Mobility
Visitors can move between levels through an internal elevator and helical stairs which wrap around the central nucleus. This design promotes ease of movement while encouraging exploration of the various areas within the tower. The upper levels are designed to provide wide-ranging views, culminating in a terrace that encourages observation of the Kurgi Farm landscape.

Amenities and Functionality
The fourth floor includes cylindrical restroom facilities that meet the needs of all visitors, including those with disabilities. The attention to functionality continues on the fifth level, which features a fully glazed circular area that allows for abundant natural light and clear views of the environment. Furnished with a bar counter, it creates a comfortable space for relaxation and social interaction.

Lighting and Atmosphere
Natural light plays a key role in the design of the tower, made possible by the open layout on each floor. The lighting strategy incorporates embedded light points within the lower surfaces of the concrete slabs, providing illumination at night. Additional small spotlights between the wooden columns at the base enhance the tower's visibility, creating an inviting environment after dark.

The uppermost terrace offers visitors unobstructed views of the expansive landscape, making it a place for contemplation and appreciation of the surrounding nature.

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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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