5 key facts about this project
The observation platforms located atop a volcano provide a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with their surroundings. Designed for both functionality and adaptability, these platforms utilize modular construction methods that make assembly and relocation straightforward. Their varying sizes and heights create an interesting profile against the landscape, inviting exploration and interaction with the environment.
Functionality and Access
The platforms are constructed from modular steel elements that allow for quick deployment. Each unit has a diameter ranging from 2.5 meters to 4.5 meters and heights between 5 meters and 10 meters. This variation in dimensions contributes to a visually appealing structure that contrasts with the ruggedness of the volcano. Access is facilitated by ladders, encouraging visitors to immerse themselves in the experience, while enhancing the connection between the structures and the natural world.
Sustainable Design Features
A key component of the design is the all-glass building skin. This amorphous silicon glass serves two primary functions: it provides clear views of the landscape and acts as a solar energy collector. By capturing sunlight during the day, the glass enables the platforms to be illuminated at night. This feature not only emphasizes sustainability but also creates a visual presence that remains noticeable after dark.
Integration with Landscape
The observation platforms are thoughtfully arranged to offer a 360-degree view of the surrounding terrain. This layout encourages visitors to appreciate the volcanic landscape from multiple vantage points. The change in elevation among the platforms fosters a sense of curiosity and exploration. The combination of the structural framework and the transparent façade allows the architecture to coexist harmoniously with the natural features of the site, highlighting both the built and the unbuilt environment.
Light filters through the glass, creating shifting patterns within the observation spaces. As the sun moves across the sky, these patterns change, connecting visitors to the passage of time and the natural rhythms of the landscape.