Kurgi Observation Tower Architetcure Competition

Kurgi farm is located in the North Latvia Biosphere Reserve, one of the most beautiful and scenic locations in Northern Europe and listed as a nature conservation area of international importance by UNESCO. Kurgi farm is owned by a young couple, Kristaps and Laura, who were mesmerised by the natural beauty of the area. So much so that they decided to live there permanently. Kurgi farm’s primary focus is horse breeding, but not just any horses.

Kurgi farm is one of the only breeding programmes in place for the Latvian Ardennes, a rare breed of local horse that is dangerously close to extinction, and Kurgi has one of the last four  Latvian Ardennes studs in existence. The  Latvian Ardennes is a breed of horse that the local community value highly as part of their historical heritage, and have been working hard to save from extinction.

For the Kurgi Observation Tower competition, participants are tasked with designing a tower that will allow visitors to view and experience the North Latvia Biosphere Reserve in a new way.The proposed observation tower will be located on top of the hill of the Kurgi estate, to take in the spectacular views.

Kristaps and Laura intend the tower to be a part of their ecotourism concept, offering guests a refuge from the busy city life, a chance to find harmony in the spectacular views of nature, and to provide them with therapeutic experiences with the horses.

As Kurgi farm 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 North Latvia Biosphere Reserve, while having the potential to become an iconic landmark in its own right.

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

• Early Bird Registration: NOVEMBER 30 – JANUARY 24, 2020
• Advance Registration: JANUARY 25 – MARCH 6
• Last Minute Registration: MARCH 7 – MAY 8
• Closing date for registration: MAY 8, 2020
• Closing date for submission: JUNE 16, 2020 (11:59pm GMT)
• Announcement of the winners: JULY 9, 2020

PRIZES

• 3 winning proposals
• 3 special award recipients
• 6 honorable mentions will be selected.

Bee Breeders will award a total of US $7,000 in prize money to competition winners as follows:

• 1st Prize – US $3,000
• 2nd Prize – US $1,500
• 3rd Prize – US $500
• + 6 honourable mentions
• “Competition Client’s Favorite” Award – US $1000
• BB Student Award – US $500
• BB Green Award – US $500

Go to the competition’s website