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Steel Veils and Salt Crystals Enhancing Wetland Engagement

Authors:
Guanghui Lu, Xuewen Ping, Xu Zhang, Xiangquan Yang
Steel Veils and Salt Crystals Enhancing Wetland Engagement

Project in-detail

Accumulating salt crystals on a steel veil reflects seasonal changes in the wetland, enhancing the visitor experience while promoting local biodiversity through elevated pathways and unobtrusive wildlife access.
5 key facts about this project
01
Accumulation of salt crystals on the steel facade enhances seasonal visual interest.
02
Elevated pathways allow unobstructed wildlife movement beneath the structure.
03
Metal pillars minimize visual impact while supporting the walkway.
04
Design adapts to wetland's dynamic water levels during winter months.
05
Focus on local biodiversity promotes ecological awareness among visitors.

The design at Al Wathba Wetland aims to enhance the natural beauty and ecological function of its diverse habitats while offering meaningful experiences for visitors. Located within a unique landscape of wetlands, the project focuses on supporting local wildlife, particularly the Greater Flamingo, while seamlessly integrating with the surrounding environment. The approach centers on accessibility and the preservation of natural features.

Elevated Pathways

The design includes elevated pathways and viewing platforms that allow wildlife to move freely beneath them. These walkways are supported by slender metal pillars, ensuring that the structures have minimal physical and visual impact on the landscape. The elevation provides visitors with a unique vantage point to observe the wetlands, creating an interaction with the habitat without intruding upon it.

Seasonal Adaptation

Seasonal changes play a significant role in the design. A steel veil is incorporated to respond to rising water levels during the winter months. This feature allows for the collection of salt crystals on the tower's facade, which visually reflects the wetland’s transformations. The structure adapts to the rhythm of nature, making the built environment responsive to its surroundings.

Material Choices

Materials selected for the project serve both functional and aesthetic purposes. Steel is used to provide structural strength while maintaining a clean, modern appearance. This choice of material is practical and supports the overall theme of environmental awareness, as it connects the built elements back to the natural landscape.

Delicate Details

The focus on details is evident in the design's interaction with the site. Pathways transition smoothly into the landscape, while the salt accumulation on the steel facade adds a dynamic visual element that changes with the seasons. This interplay between nature and the built environment creates an experience that highlights the relationship between architecture and ecology, encouraging visitors to engage with the wetland in a thoughtful way.

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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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