The Watchtower is situated within the Akamas National Forest Park on the west coast of Cyprus, on a rocky elevation locally known as ‘Melanos’. The Akamas peninsula is a unique part of the island due to its diversity of flora and fauna, that led to its integration in the Natura 2000 protected areas network.
To safeguard the region, the Department of Forestry patrols the area to protect it from fires that can occur throughout the year. Melanos Hill offers panoramic views of the southern areas of Akamas, making it an ideal location for constructing a new watchtower and enhancing monitoring efforts.
The aim of the project was to design and construct a watchtower that would become a prototype for future towers needed within the department’s jurisdiction. Therefore, the proposal required a contextless design approach with a sensitive implementation achieved with a compact footprint and a raised viewing platform providing unobstructed views in all directions. The material palette selected aims to highlight the natural local materials of the area, integrating the building with the landscape while also remaining resistant over time.
The ground floor is composed of a cluster of independent volumes constructed out of reinforced concrete embedded with rocks from the local area. These volumes divide the base into three sections upon which the upper level is situated upon. They contain the staircase leading to the upper level, the staff WC, a water tank, and solar panel batteries. Galvanised heavy-duty doors shield the ground floor when the building is not in use.
The sheltered staircase leads up to a balcony, shielded by a cantilevered roof, that wraps around the watchtower, offering unobstructed panoramic views of the landscape. An enclosed room located centrally on this level is constructed out of glue-laminated timber and clad externally in thermally treated timber boards. Internally, the room is clad in spruce plywood and features a compact kitchen and bench. The roof, also constructed out of cross laminated timber, is cladded in standing seam zinc panels to ensure durability against the harsh weather conditions of the coastal area of Akamas.