Watching Wild

Fig: 1 - Connecting with nature is made possible through not just vision but the proximity experience of the fauna.

NATURE TRAIL

Humans have enjoyed a quaint relationship with nature. On one end we go to great lengths to create habitats and shelters that are away and protected from nature. On the other hand each year thousands of tourists are drawn to various sites across the world in search of nature. 

We seek nature in various capacities ranging from small retreats to national parks. In each case, the goal is to be able to interact with nature in ways that our modern lives don't often allow. A popular consequence of this need to connect with nature is seen in natural parks- wildlife observation decks. These decks are often tall constructed spaces that humans can safely occupy in their quests to see, engage and observe natural species. 

Unfortunately, these structures are often awkward and imposing structures in the places they inhabit. Can we reimagine them to blend more seamlessly into their environments? 

Fig: 2 - Many hills around the green lands offer vantage over the stretch of Lake Nakuru for trek enthusiasts. (Credits: Global Alliance of National Parks)

LAKE NAKURU

The Lake Nakuru National Park is a relatively young national park in Kenya having only been established in 1961. Nevertheless, the premium game park has quickly become popular with tourists who seek to observe the abundant wildlife in the region.

The saline lake is most popular for the flamingos that feed in its saline waters, however, the Lake Nakuru park is also home to over 400 bird species and animals such as waterbucks, impalas, hippopotamuses, endangered rhinos and giraffes.

The lake along with its surrounding national park and village on the northern shore offers various opportunities for tourists to be able to engage with the natural wildlife in the location. Intriguingly though the popularity of such spaces works counterintuitively to the relative solitude and anonymity needed for wildlife observation. 

H3: Can we recreate these opportunities in smaller, more anonymous scopes for tourists?

Fig: 3 - Observation decks can provide an attractive opportunity for people to witness the fauna in their natural habitat. (Credits: Global Alliance of National Parks)

BRIEF OF THIS COMPETITION

Wildlife observation decks are exceedingly simple propositions. For them to be successful one merely needs to address two concerns- Safety by distance for both the animal and the human, and opportunities to observe wildlife. Nevertheless, these simple structures often tower over their landscapes and thus become awkward fixtures in their environment that may not always be anonymous. 

Brief: For this challenge, you must design a wildlife observation tower on the shores of the Lake Nakuru National Park that blends into its surroundings. 

The aim of this competition is to be able to imagine spaces that will be frequented by tourists but are successfully hidden to the animals so as to not disturb their natural behaviours. 

OBJECTIVES

Design: The design outcome must exhibit your novel approach to this age-old structure but must not impose on the existing natural landscape

Sustainable: The material of the structure should ideally be natural and local allowing it an increased degree of anonymity in its habitat

Cost-Effective: The design must not require expensive materials or be expensive to maintain even with regular usage. 

SITE 

The Lake Nakuru Park is located in the central part of Kenya. It is characterized by woodlands as well as grasslands that are inhabited by various wildlife species that tourists can see during game viewing experiences in Lake Nakuru national park. 

The park is fenced in by a 188 sq. km electric fence to protect its endangered population of rhinos and giraffes from poachers. The site for this project is located on the eastern bank of the lake and is a short distance away from the Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge. 

Site Area: 16986 sq.m
Ground coverage: 60% 
Maximum FAR: 1
Setbacks as per CAD plan 
Coordinates:  Lake Nakuru Park

Design Constraints

You may choose to use any part of the area within the designated location specified above. However, your final design outcome must adhere to the following constraints:

1. The observation tower must be a maximum of 11m tall
2. The design must have at least 2 observation platforms
3. The largest platform must not be any larger than 12sq.m

You may choose to add any details that you deem fit as long as it doesn’t take away from the central intent of the observation deck.