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Living Roof and Nesting Niches Enhance Visitor Engagement in Nature Reserve

Authors:
Alon Lifshitz, Shachar Lifshitz, Idan Ben hamo
Living Roof and Nesting Niches Enhance Visitor Engagement in Nature Reserve

Project in-detail

The living roof and strategically designed nesting niches create a functional and ecological environment that enhances visitor engagement in the Kemeri National Park.
5 key facts about this project
01
Living roof supports local flora and encourages wildlife movement.
02
Nesting niches in the façade enhance bird habitats and biodiversity.
03
Ecological pool acts as a natural water source and landscape feature.
04
Wooden beams create light shafts, connecting indoors with nature.
05
Inspired by the kingfisher, the building's form reflects local wildlife.

The Great Kemeri Bog Visitors' Center is located within Kemeri National Park, designed to improve visitor interaction while focusing on environmental protection. It serves as a resource for nature enthusiasts and aims to educate the public about the rich biodiversity of the area. The design emphasizes working in harmony with nature, incorporating features that support wildlife movement and create a connection between visitors and their surroundings.

Living Roof
The living roof on the building is a key aspect that allows local plants to thrive. It provides a space for wildlife to move and contributes to managing heat and rainwater. By using this green roof, the design promotes a healthy ecosystem and reduces the impact of the structure on the environment.

Façade and Courtyard
The façade of the inner courtyard includes spaces designed for birds to nest, enhancing the local wildlife community. Within the courtyard is an ecological pool that acts as both a beautiful landscape feature and a water source for animals. This thoughtful use of natural elements highlights the commitment to education and conservation issues.

Visitor Experience
Two distinct paths guide visitors through the space. One path allows people to explore galleries of exhibits and video displays before reaching the inner courtyard. The other path provides an opportunity to appreciate the building's relationship with the natural landscape from the outside, presenting a unique view before entering. This setup encourages visitors to engage with both the architecture and the surrounding nature.

Interior Organization
Inside the center, the layout supports educational activities. The ground floor includes permanent displays and operational areas, with an auditorium for presentations and community programs. The upper floor features changing exhibits and visitor amenities, enhanced by light shafts that bring natural light into the space. Wooden beams are an important design detail, providing a connection to the outdoor environment while filtering light throughout the interior. The overall design is practical and instructive, inviting visitors to learn about and appreciate the unique natural setting of Kemeri National Park.

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

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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

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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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