Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Floating Observation Decks with Wood and Steel Integration

Authors:
Katharina Janz, Mara Firnkorn
Floating Observation Decks with Wood and Steel Integration

Project in-detail

The multi-level observation tower, constructed with wood and steel, offers panoramic views amid the pristine environment of Kemeri National Park, enhancing wildlife observation and visitor accessibility.
5 key facts about this project
01
Multi-level design allows for varied viewpoints throughout the tower.
02
Ramps with different gradients ensure accessibility for all visitors.
03
Wood and steel construction emphasizes resilience in a natural setting.
04
Observation decks extend outward, enhancing the sense of being in the treetops.
05
Integrates seamlessly with existing park boardwalks for improved connectivity.

The observation tower in Kemeri National Park, Latvia, is designed to enhance the experience of visitors while maintaining harmony with the surrounding landscape. Located among tall pine trees, the tower provides a vantage point for watching wildlife, including species such as black storks, moose, foxes, and wolves. The design centers on creating a multi-level platform structure that encourages exploration and allows for a close interaction with nature.

Design Concept

The concept revolves around a tower with multiple observation decks. These decks are arranged at different heights, offering wide views of the natural environment. This layout encourages visitors to engage with both the park and its inhabitants. As people ascend the tower, they encounter new perspectives that highlight the diversity of the landscape.

Accessibility Features

Accessibility is a key focus of the design. It includes ramps that lead to the tower, connecting it to existing boardwalks in the park. These ramps have been designed with varying slopes, so they can accommodate visitors of all abilities. This thoughtful decision improves the experience for everyone, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in public spaces.

Material Selection

Wood and steel are the main materials used in the tower. Wood provides a warm and natural look that fits well within the park’s environment. Steel is used to ensure the strength needed for the observation areas. Together, these materials create a structure that is both functional and suitable for its location.

Narrative Experience

The tower also creates a journey for visitors. Walking through the park and ascending the tower offers a chance to engage with the environment from different heights. This experience draws attention to the surrounding nature while transforming the tower into more than just a lookout point. It becomes a place for discovery and appreciation.

The observation platforms reach out from the tower, giving visitors a feeling of being in the treetops. This design feature deepens the connection to the landscape and invites visitors to pause and take in the views.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

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

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy