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Natural Stone Facade With Classroom Views Overlooking Bog Ecosystems

Author:
Genius Loci v.h.
Natural Stone Facade With Classroom Views Overlooking Bog Ecosystems

Project in-detail

Constructed with a natural stone facade and large classroom windows, the visitor center offers panoramic views of the Great Kemeri bog while serving as an educational hub for visitors exploring the unique ecology of the area.
5 key facts about this project
01
Natural stone facade integrates with the surrounding landscape.
02
Classroom area offers expansive views of the Great Kemeri bog.
03
Swale design enhances natural stormwater management on-site.
04
Pergola structure features posts adorned with climbing plants.
05
Visitor center supports a variety of family-friendly activities.

The visitor center in the Great Kemeri National Park effectively merges architecture with its natural surroundings. Located within a unique bog landscape, the center serves as a multifunctional space for education and recreation. Its design highlights a connection to the environment, offering a warm and inviting experience for visitors as they explore the area.

Architectural Form and Layout

The design incorporates a pergola that reflects the gentle curves and shapes found in the bog environment. With posts and climbing plants, this structure creates a welcoming area that encourages visitors to engage with nature. The center's open spaces are versatile, allowing for various activities, including a café and exhibition area. These elements make the visitor experience richer and help inform guests about the local ecology.

Environmental Considerations

Environmental sustainability is a core feature of the center's design. A swale shaped like a bog captures stormwater, allowing it to filter naturally back into the ground. This method minimizes disruption to the ecosystem while demonstrating a commitment to eco-friendly practices. It helps manage rainwater effectively, ensuring that the delicate balance of the park is maintained.

Safety and Materiality

Considerations for safety are present throughout the design. The use of simple shapes and recessed openings, along with protective roller shutters, helps prevent vandalism and promotes the building's long-term use. Local natural stone clads the façade, grounding the structure in the local context. The roof features colored fibre glass, which enhances both energy efficiency and the overall aesthetics. Pathways made from bitmac and local gravel ensure an easy transition from the built environment to nature.

The visitor center includes a classroom area that provides expansive views of the bog, allowing visitors to connect with the landscape while learning about its unique flora and fauna. This careful attention to detail enriches the experience and deepens appreciation for the natural world.

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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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