Rocking Stone Belvedere | Barna Architects

One of the proposals for the Bence Hill Rocking Stone Belvedere Competition was from the Barna Architects studio. The concept of the building was of minimal interference with the surroundings. The design was thought to “symbolically and visually connect with the rocking stone sites around the hill”. The area is known as a place for meetings and resting, both for tourists and for the locals. The tower is hosting an helicoidal stair that goes all the way to the top.

The structure is made of six prefabricated curved concrete pillars that will be brought, assembled and post-tensed on site, both at the ground level and at the top level. After stabilizing the structure on the ground, it will be erected into vertical position. The covering is made from carbon textile composite, with 4 cm thickness. It is durable and easy to maintain. The whole process was thought of in a way so that it would take minimal presence on site during construction.

Along the stairway there are a few cut-out windows that allow the visitors to engage with the surroundings at different points in their ascension. The building would be open 24/7, because it is “vandal proof”. All the wires and the electrical and lighting installations will be integrated into the pillars, and connected to nearest power supply. The ventilation process will happen naturally, with air entering at the bottom and rising up. The sensation the building inspires is very light and airy.