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Observatory Views Integrated With Educational Spaces in a Nature-Focused Visitor Center

Author:
Akinari Hirose
Observatory Views Integrated With Educational Spaces in a Nature-Focused Visitor Center

Project in-detail

The observatory at the top allows for panoramic views of the unique bog ecosystem while the multi-level design offers integrated educational spaces, enhancing visitor engagement with nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
The observatory provides unobstructed views of the bog's unique flora and fauna.
02
An underground exhibition room enhances interactive learning opportunities.
03
The design incorporates a sculpture garden for art and nature integration.
04
Community spaces include a playground and outdoor kitchen for social interaction.
05
Multi-level accessibility ensures engagement with all visitor demographics.

The Great Kemeri Bog Visitor Center is set within the lush surroundings of Great Kemeri National Park. The building serves as a meeting point for visitors, providing essential information and services while connecting them with the rich ecosystems of the area. The design focuses on blending the architecture with its natural environment, highlighting the importance of coexistence between built structures and the landscape.

Site Plan

The site plan is thoughtfully arranged to facilitate visitor movement and interaction. At its center is the Visitor Center, which functions as a key location for information and services. Surrounding this main building are additional amenities, including a spa, outdoor kitchen area with seating, and a playground. Each of these features encourages social engagement in a setting that celebrates nature. The car park is placed carefully to allow easy access while reducing impact on the delicate ecological balance of the site.

Ground Level Functionality

On the ground level, important functional spaces include the entrance, information center and ticket sales, staff area, exhibition room, and sculpture garden. This layout not only streamlines traffic flow but also enhances the overall visitor experience, providing various opportunities for learning and enjoyment. The exhibition room plays a vital role, serving as a space for educating guests about local ecology and promoting conservation efforts.

Vertical Circulation and Spaces

The building spans several levels, each designed for specific visitor needs. Level 2 presents a lobby, coffee bar, and terrace, which provide spaces for relaxation and socializing. An underground exhibition room enhances educational possibilities, offering immersive experiences that engage visitors more fully with the area's natural environment.

Unique Features

Levels 3 and 4 house additional exhibition rooms and a studio, allowing for creative expression and ongoing interaction with the space. A notable aspect is the observatory on Level 5, which gives visitors the chance to observe the unique plants and animals of the bog. The overall design effectively demonstrates how architecture can enrich educational experiences while remaining sensitive to the ecological context of the area.

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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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