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Elevated Steel Platforms with Perforated Grids Offering Scenic Views

Authors:
Elias Knecht, Gereon Siévi
Elevated Steel Platforms with Perforated Grids Offering Scenic Views
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With cantilevered steel platforms and perforated grids that facilitate drainage, the observation tower offers expansive views from its elevated lounge, enhancing the visitor experience while seamlessly integrating with the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
The tower features H-profile steel columns that are slightly tilted inward for enhanced visual effect.
02
Wide cantilevering decks surround the heated lounge, offering unobstructed panoramic views.
03
Perforated steel grids allow rain and snow to drain away, reducing maintenance concerns.
04
The structure is designed to minimize land use while maximizing visitor engagement with the landscape.
05
Elevated platforms create varying spatial experiences, encouraging exploration at different heights.

The Kurgi Observation Tower is located within the Kurgi horse farm in the eastern Baltic region. It is designed to improve the visitor experience by offering wide views of nearby lowland fields, rolling pastures, and forests. The concept focuses on using minimal land and promoting sustainability, allowing the structure to fit into the natural setting while providing a space for relaxation and observation.

Structural Framework

The design features a strong framework made of steel columns with H-profiles. These columns are angled slightly towards the center of the building, providing both support and visual interest. To ensure stability, each column rests on separate concrete point foundations. This construction helps to handle the challenges presented by the surrounding terrain and contributes to the tower’s durability.

Visitor Experience

The observation tower includes a combination of a staircase and an elevator, offering various ways for visitors to reach the upper levels. The top lounge area is heated for comfort throughout the year, making it suitable for any season. Large windows enclose this space, allowing visitors to enjoy unobstructed views of the landscape and feel closely connected to the surroundings.

Functional Design Elements

Multiple platforms are integrated into the design, serving as both viewing points and support elements for the structure. These platforms vary in size, providing different experiences as visitors ascend. The use of perforated steel grids in the platforms and the staircases allows rain and snow to drain easily, preventing water accumulation and reducing maintenance needs. This detail increases safety and enhances the overall usability of the tower.

Materials and Aesthetics

Steel and concrete are the main materials used in the Kurgi Observation Tower. These materials are chosen for their strength and longevity, aligning with the project's focus on sustainability. The combination creates a modern look that fits well with the natural surroundings. The tower’s elevated platforms create a clear profile against the sky, while the angled roof draws the eye upwards, emphasizing the connection to the landscape.

The outdoor deck that extends from the lounge invites visitors to step outside and enjoy the views directly. This design choice encourages interaction with the environment while reinforcing the relationship between the built structure and the natural world.

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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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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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