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
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
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

Vancouver Tall Challenge: Building Higher Downtown

`
Competition organisers

The Vancouver Tall Challenge: Building Higher Downtown is an international architecture competition organized by Buildner in collaboration with the City of Vancouver and the University of British Columbia’s School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA). The competition invites architects, designers, planners, and creative thinkers to explore innovative approaches to tall buildings in Vancouver’s downtown core, focusing on sustainability, livability, urban density, public space, and the city’s strong connection to nature. As Vancouver continues to grow, participants are challenged to rethink how vertical development can enhance urban life and contribute to a more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient city identity.

The competition offers a total prize fund of $15,000 CAD, with winning proposals selected by an international jury of architects, planners, academics, and city-building professionals. Key dates include the final registration deadline on October 29, 2026, submission deadline on November 30, 2026, and winners announcement on January 26, 2027. Full competition details, requirements, and registration information are available at architecturecompetitions.com/VancouverTallChallenge

Vancouver Tall Challenge

Design the future of Vancouver’s skyline

Building higher downtown ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 29 October 2026

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
New York High Falls 
Riverfront Market

Design a New Riverfront Market in Rochester, New York

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 7 October 2026
Valli Wine 
Tasting Room

Design a wine tasting room in Italy

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 8 October 2026
The 
Quiet 
Tower

Design an observation tower in Latvia

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 October 2026
Vancouver 
Tall Challenge

Design the future of Vancouver’s skyline

Building higher downtown ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 29 October 2026
The Oak 
Moon 
Pavilion

Design a yoga pavilion in Italy

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 5 November 2026
Portugal Long Table 
Restaurant

Design a slow-living restaurant in Portugal

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 9 December 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 28 October 2026
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #9 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 12 November 2026
The 
Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Stockholm Furniture Fair Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award + Exhibition at Stockholm Furniture Fair
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 3 December 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a 50,000€ prize

50,000€ Prize / 2027 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 4 February 2027

Media, partners and clients

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