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Elevated Walkway Constructed With Tempered Glass and Timber Cladding Overlooking Native Habitats

Authors:
Luca Gebhard, Pantea Rezvanipour
Elevated Walkway Constructed With Tempered Glass and Timber Cladding Overlooking Native Habitats

Project in-detail

Constructed with a gently sloped walkway of timber and large glass panels, this lakeside observation platform seamlessly integrates into its environment, offering an immersive experience for wildlife enthusiasts.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with sustainably sourced cross-laminated timber panels for enhanced structural integrity.
02
Features large tempered glass panes that provide unobstructed views while ensuring user safety.
03
Incorporates a gently sloped walkway that mimics the ascent of a bird in flight.
04
Utilizes charred wooden shingles as a protective and aesthetic cladding solution.
05
Surrounding landscape design includes native plant species to support local wildlife habitats.

### Project Overview
The Bird's Walk is located on a lakeside site that serves as an observation platform for wildlife enthusiasts. The structure integrates with its natural surroundings to enhance human interaction with avian life, reflecting a commitment to environmental awareness and user-centric design. Through careful architectural planning, the design offers a variety of experiences that facilitate an appreciation for nature.

### Spatial Organization
The design includes two primary observation platforms, an indoor space and an outdoor balcony, which provide year-round opportunities for bird watching. The main walkway features a gentle slope that simulates the ascent of a bird, guiding users through a sensory experience of their environment. Architectural elements are thoughtfully incorporated to emulate the form of bird wings, enhancing the organic aesthetic of the structure. The landscaping utilizes native flora to attract local bird species, supporting ecological stewardship and fostering a connection between the built form and its natural context. Informative signage is integrated throughout the site to educate visitors about local birdlife and promote environmental engagement.

### Material Choices
The materials selected for the Bird's Walk emphasize sustainability and structural integrity. Treated timber is used extensively for walkways, railings, and the outer cladding, providing a natural aesthetic. Large tempered glass panels in observation areas enhance visibility while ensuring safety, and structural steel frames provide stability for elevated sections. Railing systems combine wood and glass to maintain safe, unobstructed views. Helical screw piles minimize environmental impact while offering a solid foundation, and strategically designed wooden shading devices improve user comfort by controlling heat exposure during warmer months.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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