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Filtered Light Tower with Cold-Rolled Steel and Wood Integration

Authors:
Jia-zeng Lin, Yan-cheng Wang, Yun-feng Chen, Feng-chun Yen
Filtered Light Tower with Cold-Rolled Steel and Wood Integration
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Constructed with a light grid system and cold-rolled steel, the observation tower offers a unique vantage point to engage with wildlife while minimizing human visibility in its natural surroundings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a semi-helical pathway for enhanced privacy and movement.
02
Incorporates a unique grid system to filter incoming sunlight.
03
Designed specifically to accommodate unobstructed flight paths for flamingos.
04
Surface treatment with cold-rolled steel minimizes environmental impact.
05
Reduced height facilitates closer interactions with the surrounding landscape.

The design titled "Blurry Existence" is situated within a natural landscape, creating an observation tower that blends with its surroundings while providing minimal disruption to local wildlife. The overall concept focuses on concealment, emphasizing how the structure can hide human presence while also being discreet within the environment. Through careful design, the observation tower acts as a contemplative space for visitors and shows respect for the habitats of local animals, particularly flamingos.

Design Intent

The central theme of "Blurry Existence" questions traditional ideas of visibility in architecture. The observation tower features an opening that prevents direct sunlight from entering but allows soft, filtered light to pass through a grid system. This design reduces glare and creates interesting patterns of light and shadow inside. The tower's reduced height enhances these interactions, enabling birds to fly freely without obstructions from above, promoting ecological awareness.

Structural Composition

The tower consists of three layers, each serving a distinct purpose. The first layer provides the primary structural support, ensuring the tower is stable and secure. The second layer includes wood for the pavement and railings, allowing visitors to engage more closely with the space. The third layer contains a light grid system, which supports the structure and helps manage the light coming into the observation area.

Circulation and Privacy

A semi-helical pathway runs through the design, helping with movement while also providing privacy for users. This pathway is strategically placed to obscure direct lines of sight, creating more intimate spaces within the broader environment. This approach encourages visitors to connect with both the structure and the landscape, fostering a feeling of seclusion and tranquility.

Environmental Considerations

The underground construction for the central column reflects a dedication to lowering the project's ecological impact. This part of the design ensures structural strength while minimizing the tower's footprint on the land. The choice of materials supports this commitment; cold-rolled steel is utilized for its practicality and low environmental footprint, and the inclusion of wood elements adds a tactile warmth to the observational experience.

The grid system not only functions as structural support but also softly filters sunlight as it enters the space. As the day progresses, the changing patterns of light create a dynamic atmosphere, allowing visitors to experience the tower in different ways as they observe their surroundings.

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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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