Bee Breeders Architecture Competitions has announced the Kemeri National Park Observation Tower architecture competition to design a new observation tower in one of the largest national parks in Latvia. The competition provides a chance for architecture enthusiasts to design a project that takes advantage of the stunning scenery afforded by the national park, and places a strong focus on ensuring that every visitor will be able to experience it to the same degree.

The Kemeri National Park Observation Tower architecture competition is now open until April 27, 2018. As the Nature Conservation Agency has expressed an interest in the construction of this tower, winning designs will be put forward for consideration for construction.

Kemeri National Park. Image © Daiga Ellaby

Third-largest national park in one of Europe’s greenest country, Kemeri is a stunning and eclectic mix of forests, lakes, swamps and ancient raised bogs. Situated just a 1-hour train ride from Latvia’s capital, Riga, the park is home to a wide range of fauna including rare birds like the black stork, as well as moose, deer, elk, foxes, wolves, and wild cattle and horses. These were all reintroduced into this unique ecosystem with some help from the World Wildlife Fund.

The park is criss-crossed with a large network of wooden boardwalks and nature paths that allow visitors to explore the natural wonders up close. The most popular trail being The Great Kemeri Bog Boardwalk. It offers visitors a chance to explore the bog and its inhabitants, taking them through the natural world of moss, small pine trees, deep pools, tiny dark lakes, all enveloped in the smell of wild rosemary. 

Board Walk. Image © Mihails Voloscuks, Kemeri National Park Pine. Image © Daiga Ellaby

For the Kemeri National Park Observation Tower competition, participants are tasked with designing a new tower that will allow visitors to view and experience the Kemeri Bog in a new way. Its main purpose should be to provide a new viewpoint to visitors, especially those with disabilities that are less able to enjoy the national park up close. As such the observation tower must have disabled access included throughout the entirety of its functioning.

As the Latvia Nature Conservation Agency has expressed an interest in the construction of this tower, designs will need to be both in keeping with the look and purpose of the national park, while having the potential to become an iconic landmark in its own right.

Current park's infrastructure is not accessible to people with disabilities, Kemeri Park Observation tower, Boardwalk

Eligibility

Competition is open to all. No professional qualification is required. Design proposals can be developed individually or by teams (4 team members maximum).

Language

Correspondence with organizers must be conducted in English. All information submitted by participants must be in English

Prizes

1st prize: US $3,000 / Publications Certificate of Achievement

2nd prize: US $1,500 / Publications Certificate of Achievement

3rd prize: US $500 / Publications Certificate of Achievement

BB Student Award: US $500  (more details here) / Publications Certificate of Achievement

The Accessible Tower Award: US $500 (more details here) / Publications Certificate of Achievement

The competition will select 6 Honorable Mentions

Construction: Winning designs for the Kemeri National Park Observation Tower will be considered for construction by the Latvia Nature Conservation Agency as a way to help boost Latvia's tourism.

Publications: The winners will get international art and design media coverage and will be featured on the Bee Breeders website and social pages. 

Certificate: Bee Breeders will also acknowledge the outstanding performance of all winners and honourable mentions with Certificates of Achievement.

Jury panel is composed of Audrey McKee from Renzo Piano Building Workshop in France, Carlos M Guimarães – depA, correspondent of A10 magazine in Portugal, Daniel Jacobs from SHoP Architects, New York City, USA, Gemawang Swaribathoro from OMA, Hong Kong, John Paul Rysavy from SHoP Architects, New York City, USA; And-Either-Or Austin, Texas and Brooklyn, New York, USA. See the competition's full jury panel here.

Key dates for the competition

Closing date for registration: 27 April, 2018

Closing date for project submission: 31 May, 2018 (11.59pm GMT)

Announcement of the winners: 15 June, 2018

Competition brief, photographs and 2D - 3D images of the site can be downloaded from the competition website. Contact Bee Breeders to receive special student rates for group registrations (discount applies for 3+ registrations from one university/school) and to receive further information and support for getting your students involved in architecture competitions. 

World Architecture Community is media partner for Bee Breeders Architecture Competitions. 

Top image courtesy of Bee Breeders 

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