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Elevated Observation Space Crafted with Translucent Polycarbonate and Charred Cedar Wood

Authors:
YUTIAN WANG, Xiaoyu Wang, SHIXIN CHEN
Elevated Observation Space Crafted with Translucent Polycarbonate and Charred Cedar Wood

Project in-detail

Crafted from charred cedar wood and translucent polycarbonate, this elevated memorial offers a reflective space for visitors to engage with the surrounding landscape while honoring the history of the site through its unique design and materials.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted using charred cedar wood to enhance fire resistance and integrate with the natural environment.
02
The observation platform's design allows for 360-degree views while maintaining structural transparency.
03
Incorporates polycarbonate panels that filter natural light, creating dynamic shadow patterns throughout the day.
04
Features vertical gaps in the structure, inviting interaction between indoor and outdoor spaces.
05
Utilizes lightweight steel framework to minimize the visual impact on the surrounding landscape.

### Overview

The Levitation Memorial is strategically situated in a landscape marked by historical destruction, functioning as both a memorial and an observation tower. Its design seeks to reflect the themes of memory, renewal, and the relationship between humans and nature. By replacing a previously burned structure, the memorial stands as a symbol of loss while encouraging reflection and interaction with its surroundings through a thoughtful exploration of lightness and elevation.

### Spatial Experience and User Interaction

Entering the observation tower involves a transition from a more enclosed, dimly lit area to an expansive observation platform. This shift enhances the user experience, allowing for an array of perspectives on the surrounding landscape through vertical gaps that connect visitors with both the natural environment and the structure itself. The design guides occupants towards a central vantage point, where a connection between earth and sky is established, providing both a literal and metaphorical elevation in perspective.

### Material Selection and Construction

The Levitation Memorial employs a carefully curated selection of materials that contribute to its aesthetic and functional objectives. Polycarbonate cladding ensures the structure is flooded with natural light, creating a translucent boundary between the interior and exterior. Inside, burned cedar wood siding provides warmth and a tactile link to the history of forest fires in the area. Complementing these materials, steel tube members and timber beams ensure structural integrity while fostering a minimalist design. The use of metal grating for flooring further emphasizes the concept of lightness, allowing visitors to engage visually with the ground below, while scaffold bracing contributes to the overall safety without compromising the open, airy design.

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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

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