// idea
The concept of the observation tower began with the idea of balancing on the border of subtle harmony. All divisions, proportions, and expressiveness were based on experiences derived from journeys through forest paths. Our perception of the world depends on various factors. It would be more enjoyable to ascend 45 meters, moving among tall trees, paying attention to individual layers of forest vegetation, and observing the unfolding and obscuring views than directly entering such a height.
To address this disproportion, we placed the human observer at the center of our thinking when designing the space.
// context
A regular structural layout allowed for the creation of a modular support system. The division of the structure into segments reflected the division into individual floors of the forest, enabling a clear separation of elevations and the introduction of intermediate terraces, where resting places and educational elements were planned. Each floor deals with a different layer of the forest, providing a sense of ascending with the height through the ecosystem structure.
Each stair segment follows a different principle, guiding the path so that the person ascending can feel the diversity between individual sections. Thus, each of the created floors, landings, or passages appears only once, much like in nature.
This allowed us to maintain the earlier assumption of creating a unique and unconventional effect based on simple principles, making the ascent to the observation deck an experience in itself.
The construction and form of the tower remained closely aligned with what the human eye is accustomed to in the context of the forest. Using traditional cladding boards, laths, and shingles, an unimposing structure was created. Vertical divisions slenderize the object, and by placing the cladding either in the plane of the elevation or set askew, an interesting spatiality of the object is built. The path is laid out in such a way that it obscures the view in one place and provides a very distant perspective on the path already traveled in another. This approach enriches the journey to the viewing platform with numerous scenic openings, plans, and frames.
// education
Information boards along the route illustrate the upward movement through the forest floors, addressing each section in line with the floor division. For example, the first segment corresponds to forest litter, followed by the understory, forest floor, tree crowns, and the scenic crown.
Two floors feature additional perforations in the floor filled with a flexible net, allowing visitors to lie down on it. This expands the educational aspects with the empirical experience for both children and adults. Beyond the panoramic height experience, we can also confront it in a more direct form.
honorable mention
achitecture _ competition for the design of an observation
tower in the area of the roztocze national park
location _ zwierzyniec, poland
organizer _ SARP lublin
competition type _ executive
cooperation _ michał szymański, jakub wichtowski
project _ 2023
roztocze national park // observation tower
