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Elevated Walkway Constructed with COR-TEN Steel Integrating Tree Canopy Experiences

Authors:
Jack Mcculla, William Turton
Elevated Walkway Constructed with COR-TEN Steel Integrating Tree Canopy Experiences
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Constructed with COR-TEN steel, the elevated walkway navigates the tree canopy, offering unique views and enhancing pedestrian connectivity within Gauja National Park.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with COR-TEN steel, the walkway develops a rust-like patina that blends with the natural surroundings.
02
The design includes super skinny rigid piers to minimize ground impact and preserve existing trees.
03
The curvilinear path promotes exploration, offering varying perspectives of the landscape.
04
Vantage points along the walkway enhance views across the adjacent lake.
05
The integration of the structure into the tree canopy enhances ecological engagement for visitors.

The GAUJA NATIONAL PARK COR-TEN WALKWAY is located in Latvia's Gauja National Park. Designed for visitors, the walkway enhances the natural experience within the park. Its elevated structure consists of a cantilever deck that weaves through the tree canopy, allowing people to enjoy unique views and a direct connection to the landscape.

Structural Integrity
A torsion box girder spline supports the walkway along its length. This structure provides strength while keeping the deck raised above the ground. Super skinny rigid piers support the spline at selected points, reducing the impact on the ground below. This design choice helps preserve the area’s ecology while ensuring steady support for pedestrians.

Pathway Design
The walkway features a curvy path that encourages exploration. This design allows visitors to move naturally through the trees while keeping close to nature. As people walk, they encounter different perspectives of the surrounding environment, including scenic views across the park's lake. The winding route promotes a sense of discovery as one travels through the park.

Material Selection
COR-TEN steel is used for the walkway's structure. This material has properties that cause it to develop a stable, rust-like appearance over time. This choice not only blends well with the colors of Gauja’s sandstone cliffs but also ensures durability. The walkway will withstand various weather conditions while maintaining its visual appeal.

The design culminates in viewpoints that highlight the natural beauty of the park. It creates a relationship between the walkway and the landscape that is both functional and respectful of the environment.

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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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