B372 OBSERVATORY
M.Arch studio Fall 2024 / Kent State University
Professors: Sung Ho Kim, Zuzana Kubisova
B372 is a project that envisions an observatory embedded in the layered ecology of a bog. Drawing inspiration from the wetlands of Eastern Europe, the design unfolds a series of fractured planes and elevated paths that immerse visitors in shifting perspectives - sometimes above the treetops, sometimes at eye level with moss and sedges. The architecture is both pathway and pause, offering moments of reflection on the fragile yet vital balance between water, soil, and vegetation.
Sustainability is not an afterthought, but as the project’s foundation. The observatory is intended to minimize disturbance to the bog landscape, with elevated platforms preserving natural hydrology and allowing native plants to grow in integrated planting pockets between them. Durable materials such as concrete and steel are chosen for longevity and low maintenance.