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Transparent Glass Facade and Winding Steel Staircase Elevate Waterfront Observation Experience

Authors:
Joachim Surdy, Anna Olczak
Transparent Glass Facade and Winding Steel Staircase Elevate Waterfront Observation Experience
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A winding steel staircase spirals through a transparent glass facade, offering expansive views of the waterfront while serving as a communal space for exploration and observation.
5 key facts about this project
01
A transparent glass facade maximizes natural light while providing unobstructed views.
02
The winding steel staircase encourages active exploration throughout the structure.
03
Multi-functional spaces at the base facilitate public interaction and community engagement.
04
Panoramic observation platforms offer diverse viewpoints of the surrounding urban landscape.
05
Sustainable materials, including high-performance glazing, enhance energy efficiency.

## Project Overview
The contemporary observation tower is situated along a waterfront area in Riga, Latvia, reinforcing its connection to neighboring Baltic capitals such as Tallinn and Vilnius. The design adheres to a modernist approach, integrating functional elements that engage with the surrounding environment and serve a diverse range of user groups.

### Spatial Organization and User Engagement
The design prioritizes a spatial experience that fosters interaction between individuals and both natural and urban landscapes. The tower’s height and slender profile promote this connection, symbolizing the unity among the Baltic states. The ground floor serves as an entry point, functioning as a multi-purpose area with ticketing facilities and social spaces. Intermediate levels host a series of observation platforms interconnected by accommodating staircases, ensuring varying perspectives of the urban environment. The top floor is designed as an observation deck, offering panoramic views of Riga’s architectural diversity.

### Materiality and Structural Considerations
The façade consists of a glass and steel assembly, enhancing transparency and energy efficiency while providing extensive views of the surroundings. High-performance glazing contributes to the structure's sustainability by optimizing natural light while minimizing heat loss. The use of a structural steel frame supports the slender form, while concrete elements in the foundation and lower levels ensure stability. The integration of vertical slits within the façade not only allows for air circulation but also contributes to visual complexity, harmonizing the tower with the dynamic urban fabric.

The design includes a central winding staircase, promoting an engaging ascent that encourages exploration. Additionally, the tower’s positioning near water enhances the interplay between the built and natural environments, reflecting design principles that advocate for sustainability and cultural identity within the architectural narrative.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

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Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
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Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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