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Exploring Elevated Vistas Through Smoke and Natural Integration

Authors:
Ricardo Garcia, Freddy Weishaupt
Exploring Elevated Vistas Through Smoke and Natural Integration
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Rising above the landscape, the Tower blends smoke effects with elevated viewing decks to enhance visitor experiences within a cohesive natural setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Rising Tower enhances elevation through integrated viewing decks.
02
Surrounding smoke effects create a dynamic visual experience.
03
Bridge links two distinct geological features, emphasizing exploration.
04
Pinnacle feature offers a focal point for panoramic observation.
05
Visitor Center facilitates social interaction with essential amenities.

IL FUMO DELLA GROTTA features a central design that connects closely with its natural landscape. The setting, marked by varied topography, provides a striking backdrop for the Tower, which acts as both a prominent feature and a symbol of upward movement. The design encourages visitors to engage with the environment while creating a sense of exploration.

Architectural Elements

The Tower serves as a key focal point. It rises upward, designed to evoke a feeling of height and connection to the sky. As guests approach, they become enveloped in a mist of smoke that enhances the atmosphere. This smoke signifies the relationship between human-made structures and the natural world. A bridge spans a chasm, providing a pathway that symbolizes the connection between different areas, inviting exploration and interaction with the surrounding landscape.

Site Organization

Careful planning organizes the site for an engaging visitor experience. Viewing decks are positioned strategically around the area, offering expansive views of the landscape. Another key feature is The Pinnacle, which enhances the themes of elevation and perspective. It invites visitors to ascend and enjoy the vistas, providing a rich sensory experience as one moves through the space. The arrangement allows for a natural flow, guiding visitors as they explore the area.

Visitor Center

The Visitor Center serves as a crucial point of access for guests. It includes important functional spaces, such as an open kitchen, café, and lobby. These areas create a welcoming environment where visitors can gather and orient themselves. The layout is designed for easy navigation, ensuring that individuals can comfortably begin their exploration of the site.

Facade Considerations

The Facade Tower Elevation reflects a focus on form and proportion, contributing to the overall aesthetic as it interacts with its natural surroundings. The elevation offers an engaging visual experience, enhancing the site's dramatic qualities. The design makes a clear statement about the relationship between the built structure and the landscape, aiming to create a strong sense of place.

This combination of elements results in a cohesive experience, where height, light, and perspective engage visitors, fostering a deep appreciation for both the structure and its environment.

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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

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    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
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