Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

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

Lattice-Structured Tower Featuring Cross-Laminated Timber and Charred Shingles in a Marshland Setting

Author:
Mohamed Ismail
Lattice-Structured Tower Featuring Cross-Laminated Timber and Charred Shingles in a Marshland Setting

Project in-detail

Built with a lattice structure of cross-laminated timber and accented by charred wooden shingles, the observatory tower invites visitors to engage with the surrounding marshland while providing critical insights into local wildlife.
5 key facts about this project
01
Lattice structure enhances visual transparency while providing structural integrity.
02
Usage of charred wooden shingles promotes fire resistance and aesthetic appeal.
03
The bent A-frame design optimizes natural light and views from multiple vantage points.
04
Cross-laminated timber offers sustainability and reduces carbon footprint.
05
Integrated observation platforms encourage active engagement with local wildlife.

### Project Overview

Located within a marshland conservation area, the observatory tower serves as a platform for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, facilitating an interactive experience with the surrounding ecosystem. The design emphasizes environmental harmony and aims to enhance visitors’ engagement with wildlife while promoting ecological awareness. The concept centers on the interplay between structure and landscape, guiding users toward a deeper appreciation of their natural environment.

### Spatial Strategy and User Experience

The structure is characterized by a lattice-like arrangement of vertical and diagonal beams, which not only offers structural support but also contributes to a visually lightweight presence. As visitors ascend through the tower, they are met with a sequence of diverse viewpoints that gradually reveal the marshland and its avian inhabitants. The design incorporates spiral pathways and communal gathering spaces, fostering a rhythm that resonates with the natural behaviors of birds, thereby enriching the experience for both visitors and wildlife.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The use of wooden elements as the primary material underscores a commitment to sustainability and aesthetic integration with the marshland environment. Secondary materials, including steel fasteners for structural integrity and glass panels to enhance visibility, are strategically incorporated to maintain unobstructed views of nature. The finishes applied to the wood are designed for durability while preserving its organic character, thus reinforcing the project's ethos of environmental respect and functional elegance.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
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
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 17,725 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