Get inspired!

17,050 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Lamelas and Local Timber Create a Unique Observation Experience Amid Indigenous Heritage

Lamelas and Local Timber Create a Unique Observation Experience Amid Indigenous Heritage

Project in-detail

Constructed with locally sourced wood and layered lamelas that echo indigenous motifs, the tower offers an immersive observation experience that integrates cultural heritage with ecological awareness.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using layered lamelas, creating a dynamic facade that filters light and alters visibility throughout the day.
02
Incorporates locally sourced materials, emphasizing sustainability and minimizing environmental impact.
03
Features a bent A-frame design that maximizes structural stability while enhancing visual interplay with the landscape.
04
Integrates native plant life into the structure for ecological engagement and biodiversity enhancement.
05
Accessibility is prioritized, ensuring inclusive access to the first observation platform for all visitors.
The architectural project is a tower designed for visitor observation, positioned near Big Slough adjacent to Silver Lake along Highway 14. This structure integrates elements of indigenous culture and the surrounding natural environment, promoting interaction with both. The project serves as a lookout point, providing expansive views of the landscape and encouraging visitors to engage with the natural surroundings through a thoughtful architectural design.

The tower embodies a synthesis of traditional indigenous motifs and contemporary architectural practices. The form appears solid and enigmatic from a distance, invoking curiosity and a desire to explore the design further. As viewers approach the structure, they are welcomed into a sensory experience that reflects the seasonal variations of nature while celebrating the cultural heritage of the local indigenous community.

The primary function of the tower is to serve as an observation point. It features two observation platforms that spiral around a central core, providing diverse perspectives of the landscape at various heights. Vertical circulation is prioritized, with careful attention to inclusivity, ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities to reach the first platform. The design uses geometric and rhythmic language through the arrangement of horizontal wooden slats, which become denser at the base and more open toward the top, allowing for optimized sightlines while also offering shade and protection from the elements.

The integration of locally sourced wood and a protective black varnish emphasizes sustainability while reflecting the aesthetic qualities found in traditional indigenous totem poles. The layered wooden lamelas enable light to filter through, creating a dynamic atmosphere that changes with the time of day and seasons. This design promotes an engaging experience that encourages visitors to appreciate the surrounding environment from various viewpoints.

One unique aspect of this project is its commitment to ecological integration. The design includes native plant species around the base of the tower, allowing vegetation to weave into the structural elements. The wooden guardrails are designed to support climbing plants, enhancing biodiversity and creating a biophilic environment that evolves throughout the seasons. This concept not only connects visitors to the landscape but also reflects an understanding of environmental stewardship within architectural practices.

The project exemplifies how architecture can embody cultural narratives while fostering a sense of place. Its morphology encourages reflection and engagement with indigenous heritage, as well as the natural environment that envelops it. For further insights into this project, including architectural plans, sections, and detailed design elements, readers are encouraged to explore the project presentation for a comprehensive understanding of its architectural ideas and execution.
Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #2
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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 17,050 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy