timber observation tower reinterprets kola bay’s industrial shoreline in russia
Design Wood Home builds timber landmark overlooking Kola Bay
Located on a hillside overlooking Kola Bay, a five-minute walk from a residential neighborhood in Murmansk, Russia, the Kola Bay Lighthouse by Design Wood Home was commissioned by the Murmansk Regional Government as part of the Living in the North program. Conceived as an observation pavilion and public recreational space, the project introduces a new destination within the existing landscape while responding to the region’s industrial identity.
The pavilion’s silhouette references the port cranes and lighthouses that define the coastline of Kola Bay. Rather than replicating these industrial structures, the design translates their geometric forms into a timber construction at a civic scale, establishing a visual landmark that connects the waterfront’s industrial history with its contemporary public realm.
all images by Alexey Arushanyan, Alexey Malenchik, Tatiana Okuneva
Timber structure and joinery define Kola Bay Lighthouse pavilion
Timber is the project’s primary structural and architectural material. The pavilion is assembled through an intricate system of wooden joinery that minimizes the use of metal fasteners, allowing the structure to withstand the region’s harsh climate while emphasizing renewable construction methods. The exposed timber construction also defines the building’s architectural expression, highlighting the relationship between material, structure, and form.
The observation deck is organized across two levels to accommodate different forms of public use throughout the year. The lower level incorporates seating and a terrace, creating sheltered spaces for gathering, while the upper platform provides panoramic views across Kola Bay and the surrounding landscape. Additional elements, including a small waiting shelter for pets, contribute to the site’s everyday functionality.
Landscape design forms an integral part of the project, developed by the Design Wood Home architectural team. Circulation routes are arranged to concentrate visitor movement and reduce impact on the fragile Arctic mosses covering the hillside, balancing public access with environmental protection. Positioned above the bay, the pavilion functions as a visible landmark within the landscape. Its elevated location and recognizable silhouette establish a new point of orientation while creating a public space that strengthens the connection between the surrounding neighborhood and the waterfront.
the pavilion overlooks Kola Bay from a hillside above Murmansk
a timber landmark rises above the surrounding landscape
the structure reinterprets the geometry of port cranes and lighthouses