near RIGA, LATVIA

The aim of this competition was to offer new viewpoints to the Kemeri National Park’s forests, lakes, swamps, and ancient raised bogs that were universally accessible. While the competition called for a ‘tower’, the lack of electricity to the site moved this solution to a coiled ramp system that framed viewing vignettes as one ascends to the main viewing platform at an approximately 3.8 meters above grade. With little, to no, use of heavy machinery and substantially saturated soils, the project site conditions also required an innovative interpretation of foundations. A bridging strategy is taken here; incorporating treated lumber pads held in place by wood piles driven deep into the ground. A lightweight truss and framing system springs from pad to pad; intermittently coming in contact with the ground and disrupting the natural terrain. CNC fabricated supports hold metal mesh guardrails; offering safety from higher elevations while establishing a silhouette to the overall spatial composition.