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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
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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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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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