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Sustainable Visitor Centre Featuring Prefabricated Timber Panels and Steel Framing Within a Bog Landscape

Authors:
Nik Maksimenko, Robert Barker, Michael Croghan
Sustainable Visitor Centre Featuring Prefabricated Timber Panels and Steel Framing Within a Bog Landscape

Project in-detail

Constructed with prefabricated timber panels and galvanized steel, the visitor centre integrates seamlessly into the bog landscape, serving as an educational hub that enhances visitor awareness of the unique ecological environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using locally sourced timber to minimize environmental impact.
02
Incorporates a rainwater harvesting system for sustainable resource management.
03
Features an open frame design to provide expansive views of the surrounding landscape.
04
Utilizes prefabricated insulated timber panels for efficient construction.
05
Designed to adapt to seasonal changes, enhancing year-round visitor engagement.
The visitor centre at Kemeri boglands in Latvia is an architectural project designed to facilitate visitor engagement with the natural landscape. This structure serves as a gateway to the unique bog ecosystem, providing essential services such as ticketing, information dissemination, and recreational amenities. It aligns with environmental sustainability initiatives and promotes an understanding of the surrounding ecology.

Emphasizing a connection with the landscape, the design features a structure that appears to emerge from the earth, incorporating forms and materials that resonate with the immediate environment. The open frame design frames views of the marsh and woodlands, creating a sense of immersion and connection with nature.

Sustainable Design Approaches

This project integrates sustainable architecture principles through the use of locally sourced materials. Galvanized steel frames provide structural support, while locally sourced timber makes up walls and cladding, maintaining ecological sensitivity and reducing environmental impact. Prefabricated insulated timber panels enhance energy efficiency during construction. The building also utilizes a rainwater harvesting system for non-potable uses, showcasing a commitment to resource conservation.

The design process has also included considerations for seasonal variation, enabling the centre to function effectively across different times of the year. With designated zones for activities such as picnicking and exhibits, the facility adapts to user needs regardless of changing climates.

Interactive and User-Centric Features

Central to the design is the accessibility and engagement of users. Open sight lines and strategically placed public spaces encourage exploration and interaction. Areas designed for children, families, and community gatherings enhance user experience, allowing visitors to connect with both the space and each other.

Efforts to integrate the building into the landscape without disrupting existing wildlife and vegetation further emphasize the project’s sensitivity to the environment. The visitor centre, therefore, stands not just as a place for information but as a component of the broader landscape, fostering appreciation for the Kemeri boglands.

For further details and to gain deeper insights into this architectural project, readers are encouraged to explore the architectural plans, sections, and designs, which illustrate the unique architectural ideas and strategies employed in this visitor centre.
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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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