Nature Observatory of Amazonia

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NOA - 1477
Vienna UT / at Austria
2 members
Alex Diebalek
Lisa Geiszler

Project type:

Designing an observatory for the Amazonian Rainforest, our proposal is driven by the idea of developing a new principle of “sustainable tourism” rather than creating just an architectural object.
Our main focus for the design is to create a eco-friendly tour along a arranged path through the forest. Visitors will be introduced into a huge variety of Amazon’s flora and fauna and get in touch as close as possible with a minimum of physical impact.
The route leads the participants, beginning from the starting point, a Pier at the Amazon river to several checkpoints. Those checkpoints, called ‘cabana’ (portuguese, kind of a ‘gazebo’) provide information about the Amazon region. Through observation spots precious and rare animals can be observed. After a long way through wild forest resting points give shelter and protection for the typical heavy rain-showers, or easing the heat and humidity through air circulation. Visitors are getting educated in the cycle of the rainforest without disturbing the peaceful environment.

The goal was to design a self maintaining system, adaptable to different conditions and to be assembled by traditional crafting techniques. All crafted parts are sustainably prefabricated, modestly chosen from the local region, and gently assembled. Therefore visitors can experience traditional culture in a modern setting.

Despite the fact that each cabana provides different functions there are some major similarities which all have in common.
For material management regarding efficiency and sustainability the concept is following:

Levitated from the ground, to keep water and small mammals out, enable a improved circulation
The main construction are build with on sight material - which determines there shape and size
Artichoke- like tiling protects against rain and sun
The facade tiles and the floor finish are woven basket-structures based on the local crafting method of the indigenous community, these structure are durable and easy to substitute.

In case of legacy the structures won’t influence the nature negatively but will be overcome by the vegetation and be transferred into the natural cycle.

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It was fun! thank you for the challenge! :D

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