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Reflective Steel Frame With Chain Link Fencing Overlooking Countryside Views

Author:
Kateřina Blahutová
Reflective Steel Frame With Chain Link Fencing Overlooking Countryside Views

Project in-detail

An elegant steel frame adorned with mirror glazing and chain link fencing rises above the landscape, offering stunning views while serving as a welcoming observation tower for community engagement in the rural setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
The tower features a unique mirror glazing façade that reflects the surrounding landscape, merging the structure with its environment.
02
Chain link fencing allows for community art installations, promoting local engagement and dynamic visual changes.
03
The design incorporates tilting windows for natural ventilation, prioritizing user comfort and energy efficiency.
04
Mobile electric heating panels provide flexible climate control based on seasonal needs.
05
The observation tower is fully accessible, ensuring that all community members can experience its panoramic views.
The Kurgi Sky Hut is an architectural project designed as an observation tower that merges functionality with artistic expression within a tranquil rural setting. This project represents a thoughtful response to the surrounding landscape and serves as a landmark for visitors and locals alike. With its unique design approach, the Kurgi Sky Hut goes beyond mere observation, promoting community interaction while remaining deeply connected to the agricultural heritage of its location.

At its core, the Kurgi Sky Hut functions as an observation point, providing panoramic views of the picturesque countryside. The design prioritizes openness and accessibility, allowing visitors to appreciate the beauty of the environment from various vantage points. The structure is elegantly tall and slender, constructed from a steel frame that supports a series of platforms connected by L-shaped staircases. This minimalistic approach ensures that the tower remains lightweight and visually unobtrusive, a nod to the simplicity of traditional agricultural buildings.

One of the standout features of the Kurgi Sky Hut is its innovative use of materials. The external façade is clad in mirror glazing, which reflects the surrounding landscape, effectively blending the structure into its environment. This thoughtful choice reduces the visual impact of the tower during daylight while creating an intriguing interplay of light and shadows. Additionally, the outer layer of chain link fencing adds another dimension to the project, allowing for artistic contributions from the community. This integration of art into the architecture not only enhances the tower's aesthetic appeal but also fosters a sense of ownership and engagement among local artists and residents.

The roof design is carefully considered, integrating tilting windows that facilitate natural ventilation, promoting comfort for visitors while also adhering to sustainable design principles. The choice to incorporate photovoltaic panels highlights the project’s commitment to energy efficiency, allowing the tower to harness solar energy and reduce its environmental footprint. In striving for sustainability, the Kurgi Sky Hut utilizes mobile electric heating panels and LED lighting, ensuring that the building operates efficiently while minimizing its impact on both the landscape and the local ecosystem.

Accessibility is another critical focus in the architectural design of the Kurgi Sky Hut. The project is engineered to be inclusive for all visitors, including those with mobility challenges. Safety railings accompany the staircases and platforms, ensuring that people of all ages can experience the space without concern. The use of anti-slip surfaces further enhances safety, making the observation tower a welcoming destination for everyone.

The lighting design of the Kurgi Sky Hut is understated yet effective, using a minimalist approach to reduce light pollution while providing adequate illumination for safety. The strategic placement of warm LED strips creates a cozy ambiance for evening events, fostering a gathering space that encourages social interaction within the community.

In summary, the Kurgi Sky Hut serves as an exemplary model of contemporary architecture that embraces its rural context while providing a functional, sustainable, and accessible space for community engagement. Its design effectively combines the principles of architecture with the needs of its users, showcasing a unique approach that invites exploration and appreciation of both the structure and the surrounding landscape. For those interested in diving deeper into its architectural plans, sections, and design elements, further details about this project can be explored, providing valuable insights into its execution and vision.
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100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
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100,000€ Prize / 2025

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

Competition organisers

The 10th edition of the MICROHOME architecture competition invites architects and designers from around the world to explore the possibilities of compact, sustainable living. Hosted by Buildner in collaboration with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this special edition challenges participants to design an off-grid, modular microhome for a young professional couple, with a maximum floor area of 25 m². Designs should prioritize innovation, efficiency, and real-world feasibility. 

A total prize fund of 100,000 € will be awarded, including three main prizes, the Kingspan Award, and the Hapi Homes Award, which will grant 15,000 € and lead to the construction of the selected design. The final registration deadline is September 25, 2025, and winners will be announced on Decebmer 9, 2025. For full competition details and submission guidelines, visit microhome.info.

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
Early bird registration deadline 22 May 2025
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