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Heavy Timber Boardwalk Exploring Visitor Experience in Natural Landscape

Author:
Corey Sosebee
Heavy Timber Boardwalk Exploring Visitor Experience in Natural Landscape

Project in-detail

Integrating a heavy timber boardwalk with engaging visitor pathways, the design emphasizes a strong connection to the natural landscape and enhances educational experiences in the area.
5 key facts about this project
01
The design incorporates an elevated boardwalk that minimizes ground contact to reduce ecological impact.
02
Educational kiosks are integrated into the landscape to enhance visitor engagement and interaction.
03
The tower provides a parallax experience, changing perspectives as visitors ascend and descend.
04
Distinctive heavy timber beams support the boardwalk, promoting sustainability in construction.
05
Strategically placed pathways guide visitors through the landscape while fostering exploration.

The design is set in a landscape characterized by significant geological features that shape its forms and spaces. The concept focuses on the interactions between the natural world and built environments, drawing inspiration from the movement of the earth's tectonic plates. This approach reveals layers of beauty in the terrain while prioritizing the experience of visitors as they navigate through the site.

Site Configuration
The planning of the site carefully guides visitors through a sequence of spaces that connect with the surrounding landscape. As people approach, they encounter a mix of horizontal forms and a towering structure that stands tall against the skyline. This arrangement not only attracts attention but also facilitates natural flow, offering multiple pathways that encourage exploration of the area.

Spatial Organization
The main structure is designed with distinct sections, optimizing the use of space according to different functions. This separation promotes versatility, allowing the spaces to accommodate various activities. Important areas are strategically organized, enhancing user experience and providing opportunities for quiet moments amid the lively environment.

Environmental Integration
The design pays great attention to the ecosystem, especially through the use of an elevated boardwalk held up by heavy timber beams. This choice reduces the impact on the ground below while offering clear views of the landscape. Additionally, the proposed parking area is placed away from sensitive areas to protect the fragile caves nearby, showing a commitment to environmentally friendly design.

User Engagement
Interactive features are central to the experience, with an information kiosk providing visitors with insight into the site’s history. This hub enhances understanding and promotes awareness of the environment. Furthermore, entry signage aligns with the overall architectural forms, guiding visitors as they transition from arrival to exploration.

The design concludes with the thoughtful detail in the tower’s slanted stairs, which create a special experience by changing the view as one ascends. This simple yet effective design choice connects the upward journey of visitors with the landscape below, drawing them into the natural beauty surrounding the site.

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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

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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