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Hollow Structural Tubes and Wooden Platforms Elevate Birdwatching Experience in Natural Surroundings

Authors:
Alkis Dikaios, Athos Dikaios, Iasonas Nicolaou
Hollow Structural Tubes and Wooden Platforms Elevate Birdwatching Experience in Natural Surroundings
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Elevated observation platforms crafted from hollow structural tubes and warm wooden surfaces provide a unique vantage for birdwatching, seamlessly integrating into the wetlands ecosystem.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using lightweight hollow structural tubes for enhanced stability and reduced ecological impact.
02
Incorporates wooden observation platforms that provide warmth and tactile engagement for visitors.
03
Features micropile foundation technology to preserve the integrity of the surrounding wetland ecosystem.
04
Includes a seamlessly integrated wooden footbridge for accessible transition to elevated views.
05
Designed with staggered observation levels to offer varied perspectives of the natural landscape.

### Project Overview

The Bird Observation Tower is situated near Pape Nature Park, designed to foster a connection between built structures and the natural environment. The primary intent is to create a facility that minimizes ecological impact while enhancing the visitor experience. The design prioritizes efficiency and sustainability, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding landscape.

### Structural and Spatial Strategy

The tower incorporates a lightweight prefabricated scaffold system composed of hollow structural tubes, ensuring both strength and ease of assembly. It features staggered observation platforms connected by a central staircase, providing varying perspectives that elevate the user's experience of the natural setting. This verticality encourages exploration and engagement with the landscape, inviting visitors to ascend and appreciate their surroundings from different vantage points.

### Material Selection and Environmental Considerations

The choice of materials plays a crucial role in achieving the project's environmental objectives. Lightweight hollow structural tubes constitute the primary framework, allowing for a low overall weight. Wooden platforms are used for observation areas, offering durability and a tactile experience, while steel handrails enhance safety without obstructing views. Micropiles serve as foundational supports, minimizing ground disturbance in wet soil conditions and allowing for secure anchoring of the structure with minimal ecological disruption.

In terms of construction, the use of prefabricated elements facilitates efficiency, and modular design allows for straightforward on-site assembly. The project illustrates a commitment to sustainable practices and environmental mindfulness within the architectural framework.

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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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