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Transparent Transitions and Panoramic Views Enhanced by Lexan and Concrete

Author:
Leonid Emdin
Transparent Transitions and Panoramic Views Enhanced by Lexan and Concrete
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Constructed with a combination of transparent Lexan and reinforced concrete, the observation tower offers visitors sweeping views and a multi-functional guest house, set within a landscape designed to enhance the connection to nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a combination of transparent Lexan and reinforced concrete for improved durability and visibility.
02
The design incorporates four intermediate viewing platforms that enhance interaction with the surrounding landscape.
03
Transitional areas feature glass floors and railings to create a sense of openness and connectivity.
04
Green spaces envelop the balcony, visually integrating the tower with its natural environment.
05
The guest house is equipped with essential amenities, allowing for extended visitor stays and nighttime use.

The Kurgi Observation Tower is designed to enhance the experience of observing the surrounding environment. Located in a carefully selected area, the tower serves as a viewing point that allows visitors to engage with expansive views. The design combines two main structural volumes, focusing on the relationship between observation platforms and vertical circulation spaces that connect them to the ground.

Design Concept

The overall structure features a square volume for the observation platforms and a circular volume for vertical communication. This separation creates a noticeable contrast between the two shapes and supports both functional use and visual interest. The upper observation deck, which includes a small guest house and a balcony, is the main element of the design and aims to maximize the connection to the outside landscape.

Connectivity and Experience

Transparent transitions link the two volumes and use glass floors and railings to create a sense of openness. Visitors can easily move between the different parts of the tower, taking in views from various angles. The vertical circulation includes a staircase and a panoramic elevator with a transparent cabin. This design choice allows for an engaging experience, as users enjoy the scenery while moving up and down.

Functional Spaces

The design incorporates smaller intermediate viewing platforms that add to the variety of experiences available to visitors. Surrounding green spaces help to connect the upper platform to the surrounding environment. Glazed walls at eye level in the intermediate floors promote comfort and foster a connection to the outside. The guest house is equipped with essential amenities, such as an entrance hall, dressing room, shower, and kitchenette, ensuring functionality is a key aspect of the design.

Structural Integrity

A solid foundation of reinforced concrete slabs and piles provides stability to the tower. The framework is made of metal, which contributes to a lightweight but sturdy configuration. This structural choice supports the various forms of the building while addressing environmental factors.

The walls of the upper deck gently extend towards the balcony, creating a continuous transition that invites visitors to explore the panoramic views, allowing the landscape to interact with the architecture in a thoughtful manner.

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The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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