orma architettura's series of timber 'mirador' observatories rise from rocks of corsica

among a protected forestland of corsica, orma architettura perches its collection of timber ‘mirador’ observatories, as a series of lookouts for viewing an endangered species of corsican deer. the animal, which had disappeared in 1969, has been revitalized due in part to a resurrection program led by the corsica regional natural park in 1985. found to be highly successful, the program is entering a second phase which intends mainly to inform, educate, and sensitize visitors about the fragility of the species.

images by julien kerdraon, david giancatarina

made of locally sourced wood, corsica-based orma architettura’s series of ‘mirador’ observatories stands as an architecture which services its natural context. made evident by the rhythmic play of shadowing and natural lighting that filters the slender slats of wood from the nearest forests, the project aims to blend in with the sloping, rocky landscape of the french mediterranean island without actually disappearing.

designed by orma architettura and built by local artisans, the ‘mirador’ observatories are expressed with vertical, rectilinear profiles which recall those of the surrounding trees. built with respect for the landscape, the delicate observatories are uniquely designed to adapt to the irregular ridges of the rocks on which they sit. with each structure formed to adapt to its landscape context, some of the observatories are more vertical than others, depending on the distances of the views to observe the deer.

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project info:

project title: mirador

architecture: orma architettura

location: corsica, france

photography: julien kerdraon, david giancatarina