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Elevated Pathway of Recycled Wood Featuring Tubular Steel Supports in Wetland Reserve

Authors:
Jorge esteban Avilán ospina, Valeria Duarte guerrero, Miguel hernando Mayorga gil, Jorge andres Rodriguez angel
Elevated Pathway of Recycled Wood Featuring Tubular Steel Supports in Wetland Reserve

Project in-detail

Constructed with recycled wood and supported by tubular steel columns, this elevated boardwalk provides visitors with a unique vantage point to observe the diverse wildlife within a Ramsar wetland reserve.
5 key facts about this project
01
The boardwalk elevates visitors above sensitive wetland flora.
02
Observation points are designed to mimic the form of flamingos in flight.
03
Structural supports are made from durable tubular steel.
04
Recycled wood forms the floor, promoting sustainability.
05
The pathway curvature enhances visual exploration of the landscape.

The Takeoff is located within a Ramsar site and aims to improve the visitor experience of the surrounding wetland area. It functions as both a walkway and a viewing platform, allowing individuals to connect with the landscape while minimizing harm to the local ecology. The design takes its inspiration from the flight patterns of flamingos, creating a strong connection between earth and sky.

Structural Design

The project features an elevated boardwalk supported by tubular steel columns. This arrangement allows the walkway to hover above the ground, limiting direct contact with the delicate ecosystem below. The columns are thoughtfully placed to mimic the shape of flamingos during flight, highlighting the project's conceptual ties to nature and emphasizing its environmental awareness.

Observation Points

Along the boardwalk, three observation platforms are integrated to provide visitors with places to pause and take in the scenery. Each platform includes shaded areas that ensure comfort in hotter weather conditions. These vantage points are designed to focus attention on the diverse wildlife of the reserve, enhancing the overall experience of those who come to observe.

Pathway Geometry

The pathway incorporates a flowing geometry, defined by inward curving shapes formed from the intersection of two circles. This design invites exploration and adds to the movement along the walkway. As visitors progress, they encounter new views of the landscape, which keeps the experience engaging and varied. The varying widths of the path also create opportunities for both solitude and gathering, depending on the visitor's preference.

Materials and Finish

The flooring is made from recycled wood, aligning with ecological considerations while also promising durability. The structure is anchored in reinforced concrete foundations, which provide stability within the sandy environment typical of the site. These material choices reflect a commitment to sustainability and ensure that the design will endure over time.

The final observation point offers visitors a wide view of the reserve, where they can see Greater Flamingos in their natural habitat, reinforcing the project's intention to bridge the gap between architecture and 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

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