dear designboom reader,

observatories may take unconventional forms to heighten the experience of landscape viewing. in japan, kengo kuma constructs a rising cafe that resembles a staircase to the sky. when visitors reach the top, they are offered an unobstructed sight of the vista. this is akin to what bjarke ingels group's marsk tower can achieve with its observation helix spiraling upwards through its rotating steel steps.

architects may also be inspired by nature in building an observatory platform. take the meandering walkway in japan by takashi suo where the curves of the structure mimic the contours of the surrounding mountains. working with nature seems to be the ethos of marte marte architects too as they construct a small concrete observation cabin around an old tree in an austrian forest.

thanks for reading!

matthew burgos | editor