Lookout tower in the primeval forest
The summit of Boubín is one of the most breathtaking destinations in the Czech Republic. Standing apart from the main Šumava massif, its unique position provides an exceptional vantage point—offering views that stretch far beyond the surrounding mountain forests to the distant Alpine crest along the Austrian and Italian border.
Location:
Boubín, Czech Republic
Client:
Kubova Huť
Status:
Permitting phase
Project year:
2025
Height:
22 m
Authors:
Mjölk architekti, Jan Mach, Jan Vondrák & Bridgestructures, Petr Tej, Oto Melter
Design engineer:
Mjölking s.r.o.
Historically, the peak was crowned with a wooden triangulation tower, which was dismantled in the 1970s due to safety concerns. Early historical sources even mention an earlier observation structure standing on the site.
The structure is designed to minimize construction logistics. Individual elements can be transported and maneuvered without heavy machinery, with cross-sections resembling traditional timber planks. While visually echoing the outline of the existing tower, this innovative engineering achieves maximum structural lightness. The components are joined using concealed steel connectors, and each piece is engineered so that two workers can handle it on-site, streamlining assembly in a delicate environment. Furthermore, concrete offers complete chemical stability without requiring any protective coatings or surface treatments.
The material selection, component design, and overall structural logic prioritize maximum lifespan, minimizing technical interventions over the building’s life cycle. In the harsh mountain climate of Boubín's upper reaches, traditional timber structures decay rapidly, requiring frequent repairs and disruptive maintenance within a ecologically sensitive zone. UHPC eliminates these interventions, making it an ideal choice for the core of a Protected Landscape Area (CHKO). Through thoughtful material selection and sensitive design, the project demonstrates how to build within our most precious natural environments: modern, yet deeply respectful of its surroundings.
The lookout tower features no exterior cladding—concrete requires none. Exposed to the wild alpine environment, the structure will gradually soften beneath a patina of lichens and moss, dissolving into the landscape over time. The absence of cladding also allows daylight to filter through the open framework, mirroring the way light naturally trickles through the branches of the forest canopy.
Together with nature conservation authorities, the project aims to set a precedent for architectural intervention in protected wilderness: learning to observe and appreciate nature without disturbing it.
