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Slatted Facades and Brass Accents Enhance Sustainable Birdwatching Tower Design

Authors:
JOANA OLIVEIRA, Giacomo MEZZADRI
Slatted Facades and Brass Accents Enhance Sustainable Birdwatching Tower Design

Project in-detail

With slatted wooden facades and anodized brass details, the structure provides a seamless blend of transparency and accessibility, aimed at enhancing the birdwatching experience within the surrounding wetlands.
5 key facts about this project
01
Observation levels designed to provide varied perspectives without disturbing local wildlife.
02
Slatted wooden facades promote natural ventilation while minimizing environmental impact.
03
Anodized brass handrails enhance durability and add an aesthetic contrast to wooden finishes.
04
Pathways ensure accessibility, allowing all visitors to engage evenly with the natural setting.
05
Integration with wetland features supports local biodiversity while facilitating educational experiences.

### Project Overview

The Pape Bird Observation Tower is situated in Pape Park, adjacent to a lakeside area, and aims to create a space conducive to birdwatching while honoring the local avian ecosystem. The design focuses on fostering an appreciation for wildlife through an immersive architectural experience that integrates human activity within the natural landscape. The tower features three distinct observation levels that enhance visitor engagement and provide varied perspectives of the surrounding environment.

### Spatial Configuration

The strategic positioning of the tower within the park is informed by its proximity to the water, promoting interaction between visitors and the local ecosystem. An accessible pathway system connects the observation tower to existing birdwatching features, facilitating navigation for all visitors, including those with disabilities. The layout not only encourages exploration but also allows direct access to different elevations, offering unique vantage points that enhance the birdwatching experience.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The construction of the tower employs a carefully selected array of materials that emphasize durability and ecological sensitivity. Steel square tubes form the primary structural framework, providing robustness, while wooden planks are used for the façade and flooring to introduce a natural aesthetic. Anodized brass handrails ensure safety and elegance, and slatted wood façades contribute to a dynamic interplay of light and shadow while maintaining visual connection with the environment. The use of these materials reflects a commitment to sustainable design, reinforcing the structure’s harmonious integration with its surroundings.

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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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