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Elevated Views from a Wooden Structure with Infrared Comfort

Author:
Adela Cadar
Elevated Views from a Wooden Structure with Infrared Comfort
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With its wooden structure and integrated infrared heating, the observation tower provides visitors with a comfortable experience while they enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Five distinct observation levels facilitate varying perspectives.
02
Infrared heating panels ensure comfort across all floors.
03
A large balcony enhances outdoor viewing opportunities.
04
Elevator access improves usability for all visitors.
05
The design incorporates sustainable wooden materials throughout.

The Kurgi Observation Tower is designed to enhance the visitor experience. Located within a natural landscape, the structure serves as a place for users to observe and appreciate their surroundings. The design emphasizes accessibility and functionality while integrating into the site. The vertical orientation of the tower offers various vantage points for visitors to enjoy.

Spatial Organization

The tower features five distinct levels, each carefully arranged to provide unique views. The ground floor, with an area of 14.73 m², acts as the entry point, allowing users to access higher levels comfortably. The first floor matches this size, facilitating easy movement. As visitors ascend, the second floor expands to 17.90 m², the third to 21.30 m², and the fourth to 23.40 m². The fifth floor culminates this progression with an enclosed area of 33.60 m², designed as the main observation space, complemented by a spacious balcony measuring 81.60 m² for enjoying panoramic vistas.

Accessibility and Circulation

Accessibility is a fundamental aspect of the tower's design, clearly illustrated by the inclusion of elevators on all levels. This consideration ensures that everyone can easily navigate the building, enhancing the overall experience. The layout promotes smooth circulation, encouraging exploration and interaction while creating a welcoming environment for all visitors.

Lighting and Comfort

Smart solutions for lighting and heating enhance comfort throughout the tower. Indirect LED lighting in the handrails helps establish a warm atmosphere. To keep visitors comfortable in varying weather conditions, infrared heating panels are integrated both vertically and horizontally. These features work together to create an inviting space, allowing people to enjoy the structure throughout the year.

Materiality and Aesthetics

The design showcases a simple, vertical shape that is complemented by thoughtful details, which enhance both the structure's integrity and its visual appeal. Key materials include wood shingle roofing and wooden deck elements that connect the tower to its environment. The facades present a consistent design that captures how light interacts with the building, adding to its character.

The fifth-floor observation space stands out with its large openings that welcome natural light and offer unobstructed views of the landscape. This area invites visitors to engage with the beauty around them. The design's simplicity and careful material choice foster a strong connection between people and nature, highlighting the purpose of the Kurgi Observation Tower.

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

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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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