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Elevated Platforms Crafted from Seasoned Timber and Integrating Natural Landscapes for Bird Observation

Author:
Richard Cottrell
Elevated Platforms Crafted from Seasoned Timber and Integrating Natural Landscapes for Bird Observation
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Crafted from seasoned timber and seamlessly integrated into the grassland topography, the elevated bird-watching platform offers dynamic viewpoints and interactive spaces for nature observation.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted entirely from locally sourced seasoned timber for minimal environmental impact.
02
Features charred wooden shingles that enhance durability and aesthetic integration.
03
Incorporates modular design elements for flexibility in placement and construction.
04
Elevated pathways designed to mimic the natural contours of the grassland.
05
Interactive viewing platforms strategically positioned for optimal nature observation.

**Overview**

Located within a natural landscape, the project serves as an elevated bird-watching platform and a space for the exploration of the relationship between the built environment and nature. The design employs a modular and linear approach that merges functionality with an organic aesthetic, creating an immersive experience in harmony with the surroundings.

**Material Integration**

The selection of materials is both intentional and sustainable. Seasoned timber provides textured surfaces that match the warm tones of the landscape while ensuring durability and low maintenance. A steel framework supports the structure, offering stability without compromising the lightweight quality of the design. The concrete foundation ensures structural integrity, while integrated glass elements enhance users' visibility and connection to the environment. Together, these materials not only fulfill aesthetic goals but also address sustainability and long-term usability.

**Spatial Configuration**

The project features vertical timber slats that generate a visual rhythm reflective of a grassy environment, providing occasional shelter while allowing for unobstructed views of local birdlife. A sinuous pathway weaves through the landscape, promoting exploration and diverse user experiences by elevating visitors for better observation opportunities. Centrally located observation towers rise above the terrain, serving as focal points that facilitate panoramic vistas. Supplementary viewing platforms are strategically positioned to encourage direct interaction with the surroundings, enhancing educational engagement with local ecosystems.

The design is characterized by its adaptive, low-impact strategies, utilizing locally sourced materials to minimize environmental disturbance. It prioritizes not only aesthetic and functional outcomes but also community engagement through potential educational programs and guided activities that promote environmental stewardship.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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