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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.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge invites architects and designers to create iconic public sculptures for one of two sites in Saudi Arabia: Abu Hadriyah Road or the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar. Proposals should reflect Saudi identity, culture, and future aspirations.

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The Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is an international architecture and design competition inviting creatives to shape the future of Saudi Arabia’s public spaces. With a total prize fund of €50,000, the competition calls for sculptural proposals that merge cultural symbolism with innovative design, offering participants a chance to see their concepts brought to life in a rapidly transforming national context.

Organised by Buildner in partnership with the Mujassam Watan Initiative, the challenge focuses on two prominent locations: Abu Hadriyah Road, a major highway and gateway into the Eastern Province, and the Tharwa Sea Front in Al-Khobar, a pedestrian-focused waterfront district. Designers must select one site and develop a sculpture that engages with its surroundings—whether addressing the fast-paced dynamism of a transit corridor or creating moments of interaction along a coastal promenade.

Proposals should be bold, site-specific, and rooted in narrative—drawing on themes such as heritage, national identity, transformation, and dialogue. Environmental responsiveness, material durability, and feasibility are strongly encouraged, as winning projects may be selected for actual construction.

Each submission must include four A2 landscape presentation boards, a cover image, and a written project description. The competition is open to professionals and students alike, working individually or in teams of up to four people. No professional license is required.

Registration is open until July 24, 2025, with final submissions due by August 27, 2025. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2025.

Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge

Design iconic urban sculptures for the prestigious Mujassam Watan competition and compete for 50,000 €

50,000 € PRIZE project COMPETITION
Prize 50,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 24 July 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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