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Light-Filled Tower with Iron Core Promoting Nature Connection

Author:
Tudoran Sergiu
Light-Filled Tower with Iron Core Promoting Nature Connection
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A tower with an iron core and strategically placed openings captures natural light and frame views, creating a serene retreat that fosters connection with the surrounding landscape.
5 key facts about this project
01
Tower features a central iron core for structural stability.
02
Strategic openings throughout enhance natural light and views.
03
Design integrates a canvas cloth for creative light play.
04
Top level provides a sheltered space for reflection and privacy.
05
Elevator access ensures inclusivity for all visitors.

The design at Kurgi Farm is located in the scenic landscape of the Latvian Ardennes, aiming to create an environment for solitude and reflection. The central element of the design is a tower that acts as both a visual reference and a multifunctional space. The approach emphasizes a relationship with the natural surroundings, allowing for an experience that encourages contemplation and engagement with the ecosystem.

Core Structure

The tower’s core acts as the main structural component, designed to support various levels while enabling movement through thoughtfully placed openings. These openings not only provide access but also enhance the entry of natural light, contributing to an open and airy feel inside the structure. This core is essential for both stability and flexibility, allowing the design to maintain its architectural integrity.

Supportive Framework

The stability of the tower is bolstered by a network of beams that vary in length to accommodate different loads from each level. Their specific shapes enhance strength and ensure an even distribution of weight throughout the entire structure. This approach allows the design to clearly express its intent while maintaining safety and usability.

Interior Experience

Light plays a significant role in the experience of the tower. The ground floor is designed with a special cloth that filters light into the basement, offering a lively interplay of light and shadow. As visitors ascend, they encounter different lighting conditions on each level. The second floor features walls with openings that provide views, inviting users to connect with the landscape while also gaining insights into the local ecology.

Final Design Details

The top level of the tower serves as a dedicated space for quiet reflection. It invites users to engage with their surroundings from a more personal viewpoint. The adjustable curtains afford a level of privacy and adaptability to the environment. Also, an elevator platform ensures that this reflective space is accessible to all visitors, enhancing the overall experience offered by the design. The thoughtful elements throughout enrich the time spent within the tower, reinforcing its purpose as a place for contemplation and connection with nature.

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

`
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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