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Floating Towers Reflecting Geological Energy

Authors:
Gota Tasaka, Hitomoi Matsudo, Lin Lin
Floating Towers Reflecting Geological Energy
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Inspired by the floating nature of basalt, three towers utilize a tensegrity structure to harmonize with geological forces while providing essential amenities for visitors and fostering community interaction.
5 key facts about this project
01
Three towers symbolize the floating nature of basalt formed by tectonic activity.
02
The design incorporates a tensegrity structure for stability and flexibility.
03
A suspended viewing platform enhances visitor interaction with the landscape.
04
The project includes a visitor center with a café and office space.
05
Elements are organized as rocks, ten-segments, and bridges for cohesive integration.

Tensegrity Stone features three towers designed to connect the continents of Europe and North America. The design is inspired by geological processes, particularly the way basalt forms when magma erupts and solidifies. By capturing the energy of tectonic plates, the buildings interact with their natural surroundings and emphasize the geological history of the site.

Structural Composition

The main tower serves as the focal point of the project, symbolizing the way basalt can appear to float in the air. Built using a tensegrity system, the structure maintains both stability and flexibility. This system allows for a lightweight design that adapts to environmental conditions while visually representing concepts of weightlessness and elevation.

Functionality and Engagement

Along with the main tower, there is a parking tower that incorporates a visitor center. This facility includes a small office and a café, offering essential services for visitors. This thoughtful design encourages people to interact with the space, making it more than just a collection of buildings. It enhances the experience for users and fosters a sense of community.

Spatial Experience

Suspended above the towers, a viewing platform allows visitors to take in the landscape from a new perspective. This area encourages exploration and engagement with both the architecture and the environment. It creates an opportunity for users to develop a deeper connection to the spaces surrounding them.

Geological Integration

The project organizes its structural elements into various components: rocks, ten-segments, and bridges. This arrangement creates a fluid connection between different parts of the design. The aim is to harmonize the architecture with the surrounding terrain, allowing the buildings to reflect the appearance of natural geological features.

The careful combination of towers and viewing platform offers an experience that highlights the relationship between geological processes and built structures. The design invites contemplation of the natural world while showcasing an innovative approach to architectural expression.

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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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Competition organisers

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.

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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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