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Triangular Platforms with Wooden Shingles Overlooking Wildlife Habitat

Authors:
Marie Nicolazzi, François Guyon
Triangular Platforms with Wooden Shingles Overlooking Wildlife Habitat

Project in-detail

With triangular viewing platforms crafted from wooden shingles, the structure harmonizes with its natural surroundings while serving as an observatory for wildlife in the North Latvia Biosphere Reserve.
5 key facts about this project
01
Triangular viewing platforms enhance landscape visibility.
02
Wooden shingles provide durability and climate resilience.
03
The design is inspired by local stilt house architecture.
04
Visitors can observe rare horse breeds from the ground level.
05
Central spiral staircase facilitates vertical movement and exploration.

The Kurgi Observation Tower is set within the North Latvia Biosphere Reserve. It aims to connect visitors to the natural surroundings while providing spaces for wildlife observation. The design focuses on blending the structure into the landscape, resulting in a form that appears to gently sway with the terrain.

Architectural Form
The tower has an organic shape that mirrors the natural curves of the landscape. This design approach enhances its visual appeal and allows for broad views of the biosphere. Each triangular platform offers unique vantage points, fostering a deeper appreciation of the area's beauty.

Transparency and Interaction
Transparency plays a significant role in the design. Wooden shingles are used for the roof, allowing light to fill the interior. The openness invites visitors to engage with the outdoors, making it possible to observe local wildlife, including rare horse breeds, from the ground level.

Cultural Context
The structure draws inspiration from local architecture, particularly traditional stilt houses and bird observatories. This connection to the region's heritage adds cultural meaning to the design. The inclined columns are not just aesthetic; they also support the structure while contributing to its overall rhythm.

Circulation and Experience
Visitors access the tower through a central spiral staircase. This design facilitates movement between different levels. As visitors ascend, they find places to pause and enjoy the views. The design encourages reflection and interaction with the environment. Upon reaching the top, they are rewarded with sweeping panoramas of the biosphere, making the journey memorable.

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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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