Camp Adventure Forest Tower
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
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Project Description
The Forest Tower in Camp Adventure Park is a new and unique experience destination. A 900 meter boardwalk connected to a 45 meter tall observation tower creates a unique opportunity to take a walk among the trees and experience the stunning nature of the preserved forest from another perspective. The tower and the boardwalk are seamlessly connected by a continuous ramp that makes the forest accessible to all - regardless of their physical condition.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
The Forest Tower in Camp Adventure Park is a new and unique experience destination. A 900 meter boardwalk connected to a 45 meter tall observation tower creates a unique opportunity to take a walk among the trees and experience the stunning nature of the preserved forest from another perspective. The tower and the boardwalk are seamlessly connected by a continuous ramp that makes the forest accessible to all - regardless of their physical condition.
Camp Adventure is located in the preserved forest, Gisselfeld Klosters Skove, one hour south of Copenhagen, Denmark. The forest is graced with several natural biotopes such as lakes, creeks and wetlands.
The route through the trees passes gently and sensitively through different varieties of forest, while minimizing the disturbance of the environment. The design of the treetop walk is split into a higher and a lower walkway. The tower and the lower walkway are located in the younger areas whereas the high walkway will pass through the oldest parts of the forest. The high walkway will also feature a series of activities for different user groups to learn and enjoy the forest qualities.
The culminating feature of the walk is the tower and observation deck located 45 meters above the ground. The geometry of the tower is shaped to enhance the visitor experience, shunning the typical cylindrical shape in favor of a curved profile with a slender waist and enlarged base and crown. This does not only increase the stability of the tower but also increase the observation deck area at the top of the tower, while allowing for better contact to the forest canopy.
The new treetop walk and observation tower are part of Camp Adventure, an existing adventure sports facility that includes treetop climbing and aerial zip lines.
Key objectives for sustainability
To build in a preserved forest and to accommodate 400,000 visitors per year in a previously undisturbed ecosystem requires special planning in terms of construction site planning, material use, maintenance, and visitor flow to make sure the ecosystem is not harmed during the process.
Communicating fragile ecosystems through a transformative experience is the main purpose of the project.
When people understand our forests better they will help protect our environment is the thesis.
The pedestrian path is elevated from the forest floor to separate visitor floor from the living natural habitat.
The tower is prefabricated and brought on site in elements to minimize harm during construction.
The tower's novel form ensures efficient material use. Low maintenance materials and locally sourced and milled wood is used to minimize impact from operational maintenance.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The main objective of the project is to enhance the experience of the visitor by providing a new perspective on nature.
The aesthetic approach aims to achieve the greater experience possible in the simplest and most minimal way.
In this case a ramp providing accessibility and the supporting structure are the only two elements needed - the spiraling ramp provides a diverse and impressive journey to the top while the diagrid structure is pragmatic and efficient.
The tower itself has a very striking and unique form made from weathered steel elements which seamlessly blend in with the trees.
The hyperboloid (hourglass-like) shape is very sculptural but also practical as it creates an efficient structure limiting its material and visual impact in the forest. It allows for visitors to engage with the three 25m tall trees in the centre of the tower before the form expands out to the platform level.
Key objectives for inclusion
The tower is designed to be fully accessible. The entire route from start to finish is wheel chair and push chair accessible.
Results in relation to category
Communicating fragile ecosystems through a transformative experience is the main purpose of the project. When people understand our forests better they will help protect our environment is the thesis.
How Citizens benefit
The tower has brought tourism to an entirely underutilized area. This is creating jobs and spin of business for the local community. The tower became one of TIME Magazine's World Greatest Places in 2019 putting the area on the map.
Innovative character
The project is completely unique, through its thesis and how it has executed this. The tower itself is like nothing else and in turn has attracted visitors from all over the the world. The innovative character and vision of the project is to create a new nature-based experience destination that shows the future of sustainable tourism in nature.
