Mexican artist Santiago Borja has built a thatched observatory on the roof of one of Holland's best-preserved Modernist houses (+ slideshow). More about Thatched observatory installed on roof of 1930s Sonneveld House in Rotterdam
This cylindrical, larch-clad observation tower was designed by Icosis Architects to provide an elevated vantage point over picturesque bogland and night skies in Scotland (+ slideshow). More about Icosis Architects create stargazing lookout tower in the Scottish highlands
Circular "peek holes" pierce the flanks of this observation tower by Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter, to reference the portholes of ships and offer views over Aarhus harbour (+ slideshow). More about Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter installs perforated observation tower in Aarhus harbour
A glass-enclosed "skyslide" is being added to the US Bank Tower in downtown Los Angeles, offering thrill seekers the opportunity to glide down the building's exterior. More about Glass Skyslide to be added to exterior of California's tallest skyscraper
Italian architect Carlo Ratti has unveiled plans to build a mile-high observation tower, envisioned as a vertical alternative to New York's Central Park. More about Carlo Ratti designs mile-high observation tower with a park on top
Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava has won a competition to design an observation tower for Dubai – a landmark that aims to rival the 828-metre-high Burj Khalifa. More about Calatrava wins contest for observation tower in Dubai harbour
Rotterdam studio Monadnock used a variety of brickwork techniques to create the patterned facade of this viewing tower, designed to offer a new landmark for the small Dutch town of Nieuw-Bergen. More about Monadnock's Abstract Tower features patterned walls of red and green brickwork
London Eye designer Marks Barfield Architects has reached the final stage in its construction of the UK's highest observation tower outside the capital (+ slideshow). More about "World's first vertical cable car" to open on Brighton beach in summer 2016
This triangular structure by BTE Architecture provides an elevated viewing platform on the edge of Scotland's Loch Lomond (+ slideshow). More about Wedge-shaped viewpoint by BTE Architecture overlooks Loch Lomond
A 101-metre slide winds down through this coiling structure by Fránek Architects, perched on a mountain in the Czech Republic (+ slideshow). More about Fránek Architects' mountainside Sky Walk loops up around a giant slide
Bblur Architecture has won approval to wrap a giant slide around the Anish Kapoor-designed ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. More about "World's longest and tallest tunnel slide" to wrap Anish Kapoor sculpture in London's Olympic park
Israeli illustrator Noma Bar has created a wooden pavilion shaped like a bird with a leafy back among the trees of a wood in central Japan (+ slideshow). More about Noma Bar's bird-shaped treehouse provides a vantage point over a Japanese woodland
Architecture firm Snøhetta has designed a pair of ring-shaped platforms linked by a cable car, which will offer expansive views of the Alps to residents and visitors in Bolzano, Italy. More about Snøhetta wins competition for cable car and Alpine viewing platform in Italy
This steeply slanted platform by architects John Lin and Olivier Ottervaere forms a roadside market and elevated viewing point for a Chinese town being rebuilt after two earthquakes (+ slideshow). More about Undulating viewing platform by John Lin and Olivier Ottevaere features built-in market stalls
Raised up by a framework of slender steel supports, this wooden holiday home offers a unique vantage point over a Sri Lankan rubber plantation and the jungle beyond (+ slideshow). More about Treetop holiday home by Narein Perera stands between a rubber plantation and a jungle
Tasked with designing a Colorado campsite with unique views, architect Kevin Hirth produced these dreamlike illustrations depicting a cloud-shaped viewing platform floating amongst the trees. More about Cloud-shaped campsite designed to float among the trees of a Colorado valley
A huge lightbox is wedged underneath a wave-shaped viewing platform at the end of this pier, designed by Dutch architect René van Zuuk for a lake in the city of Almere (+ slideshow). More about René van Zuuk creates a wavy pier with an integrated lightbox over an Almere lake
Architects Anton Pramstrahler and Alex Niederkofler have unveiled their proposal for a wooden viewing tower near Bruneck, northern Italy, with a twisted body shaped like a tree trunk (+ movie). More about Twisting observation tower could be built in a northern Italian forest
When visitors step inside this viewing tower on the coastline of Lincolnshire, England, an inner chamber tilts forward so the nearby beach becomes visible through a pair of aligned horizontal slots (+ slideshow). More about Angular seaside tower by Gruff and MSA contains a viewing platform that moves underfoot
This concrete tower of interconnecting red staircases was designed by Thai firm Supermachine Studio for an elevated game of hide and seek (+ slideshow). More about Supermachine Studio adds labyrinthine staircase to seaside park in Thailand