5 key facts about this project
### Overview
Wilder Tower is located in De Smet, South Dakota, and aims to create an architectural dialogue that reflects the region's ecological and historical context. The design integrates innovative elements with traditional materials, embodying themes of community and resilience. The structure invites visitors to contemplate the past and future of the area through its unique architectural language.
### Architectural Form and Spatial Strategy
The tower's distinctive ‘V’ shape, reminiscent of bird wings, enhances its visual presence while ensuring structural stability. Integrated viewing platforms offer visitors expansive sightlines into the surrounding landscape, encouraging engagement with the natural environment. A helical staircase facilitates vertical movement throughout the tower, creating a logical flow from one level to the next and maintaining continuous visual interaction with the scenery.
### Materiality and Sustainability
Constructed primarily of rammed earth, the tower connects intimately with its site, utilizing local materials that enhance thermal mass for improved energy efficiency. Steel elements provide structural reinforcement, particularly in crucial areas like the staircase, while wooden decking contributes warmth and tactile enjoyment to the experience. This careful selection of materials reflects a commitment to sustainability and local craftsmanship, aligning with the ecological principles of the project.