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1. Tower at the Mur River by terrain:loenhart&mayr near Gosdorf, Austria (2009). This observation tower allows visitors to enjoy rotating views of the surrounding landscape as they walk up and down the continuous spiral stairs which form a double helix. The viewing platform at the top also offers a panoramic views of the nature reserve and surrounding landscape, but as Confucius would say, "the journey is the reward".
2. Pinohuacho Observation Deck by Rodrigo Sheward Giordano near Villarica, Chile (2006). Built on former logging territory from leftover trees, the shelter can be used by hikers in the summer and hunters during the winter. 3. Bird-apartment by Nendo in Momfuku Ando Centre, Japan (2012). Built for observing birds, this tree house is constructed from 78 nesting spaces on one side. On the other side, there is an opening for humans to climb into the tree house, where they can look through multiple peep-holes and into the bird boxes opposite. 4. Hotel for Bees by AJEANCE in Muttersholtz, France (2012). The structure of the pavilion mimics the shape of honeycomb and the compartments can be used as micro-habitats for wild bees, storage or simply for viewing the nature outside. The integrated furniture also allows it to be used as a space for refuge or reflection. 5. Quilotoa Viewpoint by Javier Mera, Jorge Andrade and Daniel Moreno above the Quilotoa Crater, Equador (2014). Built onto the rim of the crater, the platform allows visitors to view the sights at two different levels. The upper level extends over the cliff, which could result in a feeling of vertigo, while the lower level is quieter & protected from the elements. To help the viewpoint blend in the landscape, the timber surfaces also have a pre-weathered finish. 6. Shelter of Nostalgia by Worapong Manupipatpong in Bangkok, Thailand (2012). Built around an existing column like a tree house, this whimsical structure is designed to remind visitors of their childhood. They are invited to climb inside and take a moment to relax, allowing them to temporarily escape from reality and the stresses of adult life. 7. Evolver by ALICE Studio near Zermatt, Switzerland (2009). This spiral structure rotates 720 degrees and the opens up new views along the journey, which are intended to have the visitor focus on distinct areas, allowing them to take in the vast landscape slowly. 8. Lookout Point by HHF Architects near Guadalajara, Mexico (2009). One of eight architectural structures along La Ruta del Peregrino, a 117km-long pilgrimage route, its spiral shape is a formal anticipation of the visitors' movement through the platform which offers views of the surrounding countryside. Opened in 1852, the Arboretum is Nottingham's oldest public park and is home to collection of over 800 trees, some of which are from the original collection planted in the 19th century. Having won a Green Flag award, it is a space for relaxation, contemplation, learning, exercise & enjoying the clean air. Four entrance points allow public access to the park & the network of pedestrian walkways follow a naturalist style of winding paths & sweeping lawns. The layout of the park remains largely unchanged, but many of the original trees were lost early on due to the air pollution at that time. The design was carried out under the supervision of Samuel Curtis, a botanist & horticultural publicist who was also involved in the layout of Victoria Park in London. The Bell Tower is one of nine Grade II listed buildings & structures contained within the Arboretum. It was designed by Marriott Ogle Tarbotton in 1857 & built in 1862. Standing on a rectangular platform of pink sandstone, the monument commemorates two unrelated military campaigns. Two of the cannons, which are placed at each corner, were captured at the siege of Sebastopol (1859) in the Crimean war & the other two are replicas. The original bell was captured by the British army during the Opium Wars, but was donated to the East Lancashire Regimental Museum in Preston in 1956. A replica now hangs in its place. http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=47779&p=0
http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/arboretum http://www.heritage-explorer.co.uk/web/he/searchdetail.aspx?id=9691&crit= The first thing I noticed about the Arboretum is that it's much bigger than it looks from the street. There are several main features; the lake, the aviary, the Chinese bell tower, the Victorian flower garden, the old rose garden & the bandstand. True to its name, the Arboretum is also home to lots of different trees, many of which are signposted as part of the 'tree trail' which runs through the park. In certain areas, the terrain is fairly sloped & uneven, which could be a potential design issue.
The Arboretum can be accessed via four entrances; Waverley Street, Arboretum Street, North Sherwood Street & Addison Street. Individually, you are invited to design AN OBSERVATION TOWER, which is to be located on a site of your choosing within the Arboretum in Nottingham. The tower must relate as closely as possible to its location:
● giving expression to its context (including respect for existing wildlife and planting, for regular park users and for neighbouring residents in order to ‘fit in’ appropriately with its surroundings) ● acting as an ‘environmental filter’ (using the local topography to ensure good visibility both towards and outwards from the viewing area, at the same time as landing lightly but effectively upon the site itself). The purpose of the tower is to provide a vantage point, enabling up to 4 visitors at a time to perform any or all of the following activities: ● watching birds and other park wildlife ● observing the surroundings and so enhancing the security of the park overall ● connecting both to the immediate site and to the wider environment through the enjoyment of views over the landscape. The tower must provide adequate shelter for short-term inhabitation – either standing or seated (according to the kind of activity given precedence). You are urged to consider the hard/soft landscaping layout around the base of the tower, in order to enhance public interface with an otherwise alien structure. The tower is to be built entirely of timber. You are therefore expected to undertake research into alternative structure and cladding solutions and their associated detailing (preferably by reference to the detailing of built examples). The ‘footprint’ of the tower must not exceed 25m2 (not including ramps or staircases for access at the base). |
Florence KnightsHi! I'm an Architecture student at Nottingham Trent University. This blog documents my work & experiences so far. Categories
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