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Elevated Walkway Crafted From Sustainable Spruce Integrating Solar Power Within Natural Landscape

Authors:
Raffaella Bortoluzzi, Manushi ashok Jain, Shucong Wang, Labo Design Studio
Elevated Walkway Crafted From Sustainable Spruce Integrating Solar Power Within Natural Landscape

Project in-detail

Crafted from sustainable spruce and designed with an integrated solar power system, the elevated walkway traverses Kemeru National Park, facilitating immersive visitor interaction with the surrounding ecosystem.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular design allows for phased construction and minimal ecological disruption.
02
Integrated solar panels power interactive educational displays throughout the walkway.
03
Sections of the boardwalk vary in height, enhancing visitor experience and engagement.
04
Sustainable spruce wood is utilized for structural integrity and environmental harmony.
05
Observation peaks provide distinctive viewing angles of the Kemeru landscape.

## Overview
Located within Kemeru National Park, Latvia, the project emphasizes the integration of architecture with the local ecosystem, encouraging exploration and appreciation of the area's diverse natural features, including its flora, fauna, and water bodies. Central to the design is a 1.4-kilometer modular boardwalk, which facilitates varying perspectives of the landscape and enhances visitor interaction with the environment.

## Spatial Strategy and Visitor Engagement
The project reimagines the traditional observation platform by extending horizontally rather than vertically, allowing visitors to traverse undulating terrains and experience the landscape dynamically. The boardwalk comprises segments that rise and fall, creating elevated vantage points and lower engagement areas. These features are complemented by strategically located resting spots equipped with seating and view-framing openings, designed to foster reflection and interaction with the surroundings.

## Materiality and Sustainability
Sustainable practices inform the selection of materials throughout the project. The walkway and structural components feature sustainable spruce wood planks, promoting environmental harmony. Roofing elements utilize corrugated galvanized metal, treated with reflective coatings to enhance durability and efficiency. Photovoltaic panels are integrated into the design to harness solar energy, powering educational displays about the park's ecosystem. The modular design allows for phased construction, further minimizing ecological disruption and ensuring adaptive integration with the landscape.

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

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Competition organisers

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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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