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Living Roof Integration with Untreated Pine in Nature Education Center

Author:
Andrew Lane
Living Roof Integration with Untreated Pine in Nature Education Center

Project in-detail

The integration of a living roof and untreated pine cladding enhances the visitor experience at this nature education center, designed to immerse guests in the ecological richness of the Great Kemeri Bog.
5 key facts about this project
01
Living roof features native plant species to enhance ecological awareness.
02
Light tubes illuminate restrooms with natural daylight, improving energy efficiency.
03
Interactive children's wall displays oversized local wildlife for educational engagement.
04
Strategic window placements offer views directly into the surrounding bog landscape.
05
Untreated pine exterior is designed to weather naturally, blending with the environment.

The Great Kemeri Bog Visitor Center is located in the Great Kemeri Bog, serving as an important point of access for visitors. The design focuses on the concept of an ecotone, which represents the area where different ecosystems meet. Through this concept, the center is made up of two interrelated buildings that use different roofing materials to reflect the various biomes. This thoughtful approach enhances both the visual experience and the interaction for visitors.

Reception Area

The Reception area is central to the visitor experience, offering ticketing and general information. Its design is welcoming, with a living roof that introduces guests to native plants found in the bog. Accessibility is a priority; there is a clear and inviting path from the entrance to the ticket counter. Campers also benefit from nearby public restrooms and showers that are easily accessible.

Public Restrooms

The restrooms are designed with practicality in mind. Light tubes are installed to bring natural light into both the shower and toilet areas. This thoughtful detail improves visibility and creates a pleasant atmosphere, while also promoting energy efficiency by using daylight instead of artificial lighting.

Discovery Center

The Discovery Center is located next to the Reception and is dedicated to fostering community interaction and education. It features a café, a children’s play area, and an interactive wall displaying local wildlife in larger-than-life images. The exhibition space has a higher ceiling and an open layout, making it suitable for a scaled model of the bog and its surroundings. Windows are positioned to provide views of the natural landscape, enhancing connections with the environment.

Camp Store and Souvenir Shop

Accessible from the Discovery Center, the camp store and souvenir shop have been placed to allow easy access for visitors. Their location helps reduce crowding in the main exhibition areas. The design maintains a clear relationship with the other buildings, supporting the center's overall goal to enhance the visitor experience.

The building materials include structurally insulated panels and cross laminated timber, which provide the primary structure. Interior finishes comprise architectural grade plywood, wood flooring, and wood veneers. The exterior features untreated pine, which is intended to naturally weather over time. This aging process will create a silver patina that blends with the surrounding landscape, reinforcing the connection to the natural environment.

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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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