Luis Felipe Vasquez Palacios, 
Constructed with weathered steel and concrete, the elevated structure provides panoramic views of the surrounding prairie while facilitating community interaction through its accessible observation platforms.
5 key facts about this project
01
Weathered steel components develop a unique patina over time, enhancing visual integration with the landscape.
02
The tiered design allows for multiple elevated viewpoints, engaging users with diverse sightlines.
03
A low-profile I-beam structure supports an accessible ramp, ensuring inclusivity for all visitors.
04
Strategically placed openings maximize natural light, fostering a dynamic interior atmosphere.
05
Community interaction is prioritized with pathways that encourage exploration and connection to the environment.
General keywords
The Observation Tower project, located in De Smet, South Dakota, is an example of modern architecture that emphasizes the relationship between the built environment and natural surroundings. Designed primarily as an observation point, the tower aims to enhance user engagement with the landscape while integrating seamlessly into the prairie setting. The project combines functional design with aesthetic considerations and aims to provide a comfortable, accessible space for observation and interaction with the environment.
The tower comprises three main rectangular volumes, arranged in a staggered configuration with heights of 8, 10, and 12 meters. This tiered design not only provides elevated views over the surrounding fields and water bodies but also creates a visual relationship between the structure and the horizon. The significant integration of movement through the design is evident in the ramp system, which facilitates access and encourages a gradual ascent as users approach the observation decks.
Materiality is a key aspect of the Observation Tower. The structure uses concrete for its base, selected for durability and functionality, while the weathered steel components contribute to the robustness and longevity of the design. These materials help anchor the tower to its site and enhance its visual characteristics, allowing it to blend harmoniously into the natural landscape. Wooden elements have been incorporated into walkways, enhancing the user experience by providing warmth and comfort while maintaining a natural aesthetic.
Unique Design Approaches
The Observation Tower distinguishes itself through its thoughtful exploration of user experience. By integrating angled observation platforms at various levels, the design allows for diverse visual perspectives of the prairie landscape. Each platform offers a different vantage point, encouraging users to engage actively with their surroundings rather than simply observing from a static location.
The design emphasizes accessibility, incorporating a low-profile I-beam structure that supports a gently sloping ramp leading up to the observation levels. This approach ensures that the tower is accessible to a wide range of visitors, including those with mobility challenges, thereby expanding its usability within the community.
Another noteworthy aspect of the project is the integration of natural light. Large openings throughout the structure create a dynamic relationship between interior spaces and the external environment, allowing light to permeate and change the atmosphere within the tower as the day progresses. This attention to light and shadow enhances the overall sensory experience for users.
Interactions with Surroundings
The careful placement of the Observation Tower facilitates interaction with its environment, as the design respects and emphasizes the local geography. By focusing on the surrounding features, including nearby Silver Lake and the expansive flat plains, the project becomes more than a mere observation point; it acts as a connector between the community and nature.
The pathways leading to the tower encourage exploration and invite visitors to wander through the landscape, establishing a sense of discovery. This aspect of the design reinforces the idea that architecture can shape not only physical spaces but also experiences.
For those interested in understanding the layers of this architectural design, reviewing the architectural plans, architectural sections, and architectural ideas will provide deeper insights into the thoughtful considerations and refined aesthetics of the Observation Tower project. Exploring these elements will enhance appreciation for the relationship between structure, function, and the natural environment established within this architectural endeavor.
The tower comprises three main rectangular volumes, arranged in a staggered configuration with heights of 8, 10, and 12 meters. This tiered design not only provides elevated views over the surrounding fields and water bodies but also creates a visual relationship between the structure and the horizon. The significant integration of movement through the design is evident in the ramp system, which facilitates access and encourages a gradual ascent as users approach the observation decks.
Materiality is a key aspect of the Observation Tower. The structure uses concrete for its base, selected for durability and functionality, while the weathered steel components contribute to the robustness and longevity of the design. These materials help anchor the tower to its site and enhance its visual characteristics, allowing it to blend harmoniously into the natural landscape. Wooden elements have been incorporated into walkways, enhancing the user experience by providing warmth and comfort while maintaining a natural aesthetic.
Unique Design Approaches
The Observation Tower distinguishes itself through its thoughtful exploration of user experience. By integrating angled observation platforms at various levels, the design allows for diverse visual perspectives of the prairie landscape. Each platform offers a different vantage point, encouraging users to engage actively with their surroundings rather than simply observing from a static location.
The design emphasizes accessibility, incorporating a low-profile I-beam structure that supports a gently sloping ramp leading up to the observation levels. This approach ensures that the tower is accessible to a wide range of visitors, including those with mobility challenges, thereby expanding its usability within the community.
Another noteworthy aspect of the project is the integration of natural light. Large openings throughout the structure create a dynamic relationship between interior spaces and the external environment, allowing light to permeate and change the atmosphere within the tower as the day progresses. This attention to light and shadow enhances the overall sensory experience for users.
Interactions with Surroundings
The careful placement of the Observation Tower facilitates interaction with its environment, as the design respects and emphasizes the local geography. By focusing on the surrounding features, including nearby Silver Lake and the expansive flat plains, the project becomes more than a mere observation point; it acts as a connector between the community and nature.
The pathways leading to the tower encourage exploration and invite visitors to wander through the landscape, establishing a sense of discovery. This aspect of the design reinforces the idea that architecture can shape not only physical spaces but also experiences.
For those interested in understanding the layers of this architectural design, reviewing the architectural plans, architectural sections, and architectural ideas will provide deeper insights into the thoughtful considerations and refined aesthetics of the Observation Tower project. Exploring these elements will enhance appreciation for the relationship between structure, function, and the natural environment established within this architectural endeavor.
