Velká Deštná Lookout Tower

Velká Deštná Lookout Tower is located in the village of Deštné in the Orlické Mountains, the top of the Velká Deštná mountain (1115 m above sea level), Czech Republic. It is a tourist lookout tower on the highest peak of the Orlické Mountains, inspired by characteristic climatic conditions -  rain and wind!

The pentagonal floor plan of the lookout tower is derived from the shape of the top contours of the mountain. The mass of the lookout tower itself was formed by a simple "drawing" of the floor plan into a plain abstract volume.

The wind-driven rain currents were transformed into thin rod elements of the lookout tower structure. The different directions of rainfall are transcribed into the directions of the elements that intersect on the individual walls. The shell of the lookout tower changes dynamically according to the angle of view from the exterior and interior. The three-armed staircase rises between the semi-transparent walls to the penultimate floor. From there, a narrow spiral staircase leads to the top plateau, as the last moment of thrill before the top. Then visitors have an unobstructed panoramic view of the wide landscape. 

The defining natural elements are also reminded by the windsock on the top plateau and the drop-shaped bench at the foot of the tower. The concrete base and the entrance portal of the lookout tower refer to the buildings of the war fortifications, reminiscent of a turbulent part of the history of the Orlické Mountains. The steel load-bearing structure ensures a long service life of the structure in demanding climatic conditions.