Westerpunt Observation Tower by studio MOTO: A Seamless Connection Between Land and Sea

Located in De Panne, Belgium, the Westerpunt Observation Tower, designed by studio MOTO, is a striking example of contemporary public architecture and urban design. Completed in 2024, this 200 m² structure offers visitors an immersive experience that harmonizes with the surrounding coastal landscape, including the dunes, beach, and promenade connecting Belgium and France.

Context, Integrating Nature and Human Experience

From the outset, studio MOTO recognized the sensitivity of the site. The location is where multiple elements converge: the sea with its tides, sandy beaches, dunes, and the bustling promenade. Birds and walkers share the space, alongside natural and man-made materials: water, sand, and concrete. The design goal was to create a structure that enhances these elements without overwhelming them. The result is a permanent yet unobtrusive observation point, seamlessly integrated into the environment, offering a meaningful and intuitive visitor experience.

Connecting the Landscape

Strategically positioned on the slope of the promenade, the observation tower extends the walking experience along the coastline. Visitors ascending the structure remain connected to the promenade and beach, creating a continuous journey. The tower functions as a link between land and sea, bridging natural and urban landscapes.

Unique Positioning and Dynamic Experience

The view from Westerpunt is exceptional due to the large nature reserve and open dunes that characterize De Panne. The tower’s design respects this landscape through its scale, height, shape, color, and materials, enhancing the town’s unique coastal identity. Its dynamic form transforms the traditionally linear promenade walk into a looped, spatial experience, with staircases offering shifting perspectives of the dunes, beach, and sea. At high tide, parts of the structure interact with the water, further blending nature with human experience.

Landmark Identity

The tower’s nearly ring-shaped form gives it a distinctive presence on the promenade’s slope. Despite its modest scale, it stands out as a photogenic landmark, attracting visitors and serving as a destination point. Transparency within the structure frames the surroundings, acting as a lens that encourages exploration from different vantage points, whether approaching from De Panne or Dunkirk.

Symbolism and Journey

Inspired by the Confucian quote, “The journey is the destination,” the observation tower emphasizes movement rather than arrival. Visitors experience the structure as a resting point along the walk, seamlessly integrating it into the promenade. Its circular form symbolizes the connection between humans and nature, as well as the cultural link between Belgium and France.

Sustainable Materials and Resilience

Constructed entirely of concrete, the tower is robust enough to withstand the harsh coastal climate while maintaining minimal maintenance needs. The material complements the surrounding promenade and allows for the potential expansion of dunes beneath the structure, ensuring it can stand independently while remaining harmonious with the environment.

Architectural Plan and Functionality

The structure’s plan is an elongated pentagon, with equal stair segments connected at 108° angles. Each landing acts as a resting point, providing unique views of the landscape. These stair segments also serve as the structural pillars, allowing the tower to cantilever over the beach and sea. An additional bench on the east side offers visitors a contemplative spot to enjoy the scenery through the structure. In this design, form, function, and structure are unified, creating a seamless and immersive experience.

Westerpunt Observation by studio MOTO exemplifies sensitive coastal architecture, enhancing the Belgian seaside experience while respecting nature and offering visitors an unforgettable landscape perspective.

All photographs are works of  Michiel Hendryckx, Pink Appartment, studio MOTO