Buildner is excited to announce the results of the Pape Info Point Competition!
This international competition invited architects and designers to propose a new visitor information point for Pape Nature Park, a protected area on Latvia’s Baltic coast. Participants were challenged to design a structure that enhances the park’s role in conservation and ecotourism while blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. The goal was to create an engaging and educational space that informs visitors about the park’s rich biodiversity, migratory bird populations, and unique ecosystems while maintaining a minimal environmental footprint.
Entrants were encouraged to explore sustainable building techniques, durable material choices, and climate-responsive design to ensure the info point could withstand the harsh coastal environment. Considerations such as accessibility, integration with the existing park infrastructure, and the balance between functionality and aesthetics played a key role in the competition’s evaluation criteria. The challenge aimed to demonstrate how thoughtful architecture can enhance nature-based tourism while respecting and preserving the environment.
The Kinderspace Competition jury featured a distinguished panel of architects and designers with diverse expertise: Jake Heffington, founder and Principal of …and other works, architectural professor of practice at North Carolina State University, and recipient of the 2022 AIA NC Young Architect Award; Danielle Reimers, Principal at SAOTA, with extensive experience in international design competitions and sustainable architectural practices, formerly with Renzo Piano Building Workshop; Jan Vondrák, co-founder of the renowned Czech studio Mjölk, known for its innovative and context-driven designs; and Edward Weysen, co-founder of WE-S architects, a Belgian firm recognized for its award-winning projects blending architecture and landscape. Their collective expertise brought valuable insight to the competition, evaluating submissions for their creativity, functionality, and impact on early childhood learning environments.
The first prize went to Zishen Liu and Nathaniel Loretz from Austria for “The Knowledge Feeder,” inspired by Latvian wooden architecture and fishing traditions.
The second prize was awarded to Yang Wu and Limin Wang from China for “Natural Spark,” a modular hub with birdwatching platforms and exhibition areas.
The third prize and student award went to Sungmin Lee from South Korea for a forest-integrated pavilion, while the Sustainability Award was given to Zhu Xi from China for “The Yggdrasil Pavilion,” a design inspired by Norse mythology using natural materials.
Buildner and its jury extend their gratitude to all participants for their creative and thoughtful contributions. We congratulate the winners on their outstanding designs and look forward to seeing how innovative architecture can shape the future of early childhood education.
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1st Place
The Knowledge Feeder
Zishen Liu, Nathaniel Loretz
Austria
“We believe that architecture competitions are a way to apply our knowledge, explore new ideas, and have fun in the process.”
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JURY FEEDBACK summary
The Knowledge Feeder draws from Latvian vernacular wooden architecture and local fishing traditions. Built on a trailer chassis, it is easily transportable and supports various on-site activities. The front side features rotatable panels that function as display boards or fold down into tables for workshops, lectures, and gatherings.
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2nd Place
Natural Spark
Yang Wu, Limin Wang
China
“We participate in architecture competitions because they provide a unique platform for experimentation, exploration, and innovation beyond the constraints of commercial practice. Competitions allow us to test new ideas, push the boundaries of modular design, parametric strategies, and interdisciplinary approaches, and refine our vision for the future of architecture. As a team working across London and China, competitions also allow us to engage with global architectural challenges, addressing cultural, environmental, and social issues through innovative design solutions. They provide a collaborative space where we can exchange ideas, sharpen our design thinking, and develop concepts that merge research with real-world application.”
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JURY FEEDBACK summary
Natural Spark is a modular information hub designed to integrate with its natural surroundings while supporting diverse educational and recreational activities. Built with a flexible structure, it allows for varied usage scenarios, incorporating features such as birdwatching platforms, exhibition spaces, and wayfinding elements. The design prioritizes sustainability, using adaptable installations for information dissemination and specimen display.
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3rd Place + Buildner Student Award
Laimas koks
Sungmin Lee
South Korea
“I participate in competitions in order to test the inspiration, ideals, and knowledge I possess on the world stage.”
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JURY FEEDBACK summary
This project explores the relationship between architecture and the forest, creating a pavilion that blends into its surroundings while providing a space for contemplation, education, and quiet interaction. The structure is defined by a grid of modular units, elevated off the ground to minimize environmental impact. Open frameworks and fabric panels allow light and shadow to shift throughout the day, reinforcing a sense of connection with nature.
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Buildner Sustainability Award
YGGDRASIL
Zhu Xi
China
“I participate in architectural competitions to challenge myself creatively and refine my design skills. They provide a platform to explore new ideas, experiment with concepts, and push the boundaries of what is possible within given constraints. Competitions also help me think critically and solve complex design problems while receiving valuable feedback. Moreover, they allow me to showcase my work to a wider audience, which is a great way to build my portfolio and gain recognition. Ultimately, I see competitions as an opportunity for personal and professional growth, as they help me develop both my technical expertise and creative vision.
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JURY FEEDBACK summary
The Yggdrasil Pavilion is a modular, mobile information point in Pape Nature Park, designed to support biodiversity conservation and visitor engagement. Inspired by the Norse World Tree, it symbolizes the connection between past, present, and future. The pavilion integrates layered functions, including exhibition tools, educational displays, and communication systems, using sustainable materials like spruce wood and reed.
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HONORABLE MENTION
POLYVERT
Roxana-Andreea Irimia, Mihai Bogdan Ionită
Romania
“Competitions serve as a platform for us to explore fresh ideas, challenge ourselves, and experiment with cutting-edge design concepts. They grant us the freedom to think creatively and approach problems in unconventional ways, which fosters a culture of innovation within our team. This environment also enables us to continuously refine our skills as we engage with diverse design briefs and problem-solving scenarios, offering a sense of growth and development. Moreover, competitions provide an opportunity to inspire others and, in turn, increase our visibility and recognition within the architectural community and beyond. This exposure can significantly enhance our presence and reputation, amplifying our impact on the field. In essence, participating in architecture competitions resonates with our commitment to innovation, collaboration, social responsibility, and historical preservation. It empowers us to stretch the boundaries of our creativity, advance professionally, expand our professional network, gain acknowledgment, and contribute positively to our society.”
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HONORABLE MENTION
Austrās Punkts (Austra’s Point)
Sami Sahib Kassim
United Kingdom
“I made the decision to start participating in architectural competitions in order to creatively test myself as a student, especially during periods where I am not currently studying.”
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HONORABLE MENTION
LIMINAL FRAMEWORK: INVITATION TO UNSCRIPTED INTERACTION
Yulha Noh, Park Sung Yon, Jihoon Choi
South Korea
“As a team of university friends who share a common curiosity for architecture, competitions offer us a chance to collaborate beyond the constraints of academic assignments and real-world commissions. They allow us to engage in experimental, radical, and sometimes even playful explorations of architectural ideas. Competitions push us to challenge conventions, develop our own voices, and refine our skills in problem-solving and communication. We focused on the process—learning to balance concept and feasibility, theory and materiality. Through these challenges, we grow as designers, questioning what architecture can be and how it can shape human experiences. Most importantly, competitions allow us to exchange ideas with a global community. They offer a space to test new methodologies, engage with diverse perspectives, and contribute to larger discussions about the future of architecture. For us, they are an intellectual playground—an opportunity to take risks, experiment, and evolve our architectural thinking.”
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HONORABLE MENTION
Pape Info Point – Modular Cube System
Dragoş Calmuc, Marco Seliger
Austria
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HONORABLE MENTION
Trials
Jenny Margaretha Elisabeth Mäki
Sweden
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HONORABLE MENTION
Perimetro Zero
Giulia Alario, Delfino Siracusano, Antonino Caputo
Italy
“Participating in a competition is a way to better understand oneself and one’s limits, confront others, and expand one’s knowledge. It should be approached with curiosity, the will to surpass oneself, and the desire to surprise.”
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SHORTLISTED PROJECTS
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