KURGI TOWER COMPETITION

We design for those who aspire to make a change in their lives, for people who invest in their future, for those who believe that architecture can change the way we live, for those who want to achieve their goals, for those who want to support local communities and be actors of change.

We do architecture, we give contextual answers to problems of individual and/or collective scale where we bring our experience and vision to create experiences and spaces according to the needs of their users and in intelligence with the parameters of the environment.

We believe in the constant optimization of our creative process. Each project enriches the next one with new knowledge in the way of designing or building. Research on new materials (bamboo, containers, steel frame…) and unique and timeless designs are the key to satisfy our clients. We look for the right tools to analyze, design and build according to the requirements of the client, the site and the context. We work hand in hand with professionals in each area who accompany us and help us to engineer optimized solutions by crossing perspectives and fields of expertise.

When we choose to initiate a project with our client, it is the beginning of a new fruitful relationship where the exchange contributes to translate great ideas into significant achievements.

Our firm base is in Costa Rica where we work in a tropical ecosystem that facilitates experimentation. The contact with nature allows us to develop our creativity and ingenuity to the maximum in order to build projects in perfect harmony with the environment. Continuous travels and contacts with local architecture worldwide in France, Japan, Denmark, Tunisia, Italy, Mexico, among others enrich our perspective of the world in which we live.

Project Details

The Kurgi Observation Tower must be a unique and iconic landmark for the North Vidzeme Biosphere. The location at the Latvian-Estonian border is an opportunity to connect both country with a new monument to enlight the beauty of this protected territory. This almost lighthouse would represent a new milestone in the bigger scale route in the middle of the reserve where riders, walkers and loafers could enjoy a new experience to ascend and contemplate the biosphere from above.

Pakavs, which means horseshoe in Latvian, is the given name to this new installation, a bold symbol connected to the Kurgi Farm activity with breeding programmes for the Latvian Ardennes. The site with a panoramic view offers many options to rise above the canopee and break this peaceful horizontality. Pakavs proposes a horizontal tower which progress at the canopee without breaking the line, giving to contemplate the wonder of nature.

Pakavs tells a story through his multiple layers, this architecture represents a process of mimesis to the surrounding. It’s a reflection around human footprint in the nature represented by an evolution of his own shape from brutalist edification (past) to a new era of coexistence between architecture and nature forms. This emerge by a unique approach of molding, carving and aggregate layers to compose a strong dialogue between the architecture, the site and the visitors.