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Elevated Platforms Inspired by Flamingo Nesting

Author:
Marwan Basmaji
Elevated Platforms Inspired by Flamingo Nesting
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Elevated platforms emerge from the landscape, reflecting the stages of flamingo nesting while providing functional spaces for education and engagement in a visitor center.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated platforms mimic the natural nesting patterns of flamingos.
02
Continuous curves define distinct functional zones within the visitor center.
03
The layout promotes seamless interaction between visitors and the surrounding landscape.
04
Designed to enhance educational experiences about local ecology.
05
Features a prominent mount that offers panoramic views of the habitat.

The design embodies the essence of flamingo nesting and is situated in a landscape that complements its role as a visitor center. The concept captures the growth and evolution of flamingo nesting behaviors, creating spaces that resonate with the natural environment. The building serves as an educational hub, aiming to engage visitors with both architecture and nature.

Design Concept

The visitor center features a series of elevations that rise from a flat base to a small mounted hill. This transition reflects the stages of nesting, drawing connections to the natural world. Continuous curves define the different zones within the facility, promoting an easy flow between areas. This design encourages interaction, allowing visitors to navigate the space freely.

Functional Layout

The ground floor plan is well-organized, showcasing key public areas that serve crucial functions. Areas include a café, a souvenir shop, a knowledge space with panoramic views, a reception area, offices, and storage. This arrangement prioritizes accessibility, ensuring a straightforward experience for all visitors. Each section is positioned to enhance interaction, guiding people to engage with both the visitor center and its surroundings.

The Mount

A notable feature of the design is “The Mount,” which rises from the ground to provide elevated platforms with views of the landscape. This element acts as a focal point, connecting visitors to the natural habitat around them. The height encourages exploration and allows for observation, reinforcing the connection between the architecture and its environment.

Details of the design reflect its inspiration, with forms that echo the shapes found in nature. The overall layout invites visitors to experience the space fully, blending the building into the landscape while enhancing their engagement with the ecosystem nearby.

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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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