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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
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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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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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