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A Creative Housing Prototype with Floating Cabin Concept

Authors:
Shutian Wang, Xuefei Tian, Junyi Zhao
A Creative Housing Prototype with Floating Cabin Concept
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The proposal explores a residential environment designed to balance private creative work with communal interaction in a natural landscape. It considers spatial organization, modular adaptability, and material strategies as methods for supporting both solitude and social engagement.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with charred wooden shingles, enhancing durability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Modular cabin design allows for seasonal reconfiguration based on resident needs.
03
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for improved structural efficiency and insulation.
04
Emphasizes a bent A-frame design to maximize interior space and natural light.
05
Integrates natural barriers to create intimate spaces within the larger landscape.

Floatage is a conceptual proposal for a residential retreat in Latvia, developed to support writers and artists seeking both solitude and opportunities for community interaction. The study envisions modular living units, described as poet’s cabins, dispersed across a natural landscape in a configuration reminiscent of boats floating on water. The program is organized around a central communal hub for shared activities, complemented by individual cabins that provide spaces for creative retreat and reflection.

Spatial Strategy
The design balances collective and individual needs by situating the communal gathering space at the center, with cabins distributed outward to form a network of private and semi-public zones. Cabins are conceived as mobile units, allowing residents to reposition them in response to seasonal conditions or desired proximity to others. Variations in cabin size accommodate both individual residents and small groups, with terraces and outdoor spaces extending opportunities for interaction with the landscape. Natural barriers such as trees and hedges are integrated to ensure privacy while maintaining a sense of openness.

Materiality and Construction
Timber is proposed as the primary material, emphasizing connections to local craftsmanship and ecological practices. Extensive glazing enhances daylight and views, while sliding doors create fluid transitions between interior and exterior spaces. Steel elements are incorporated to enable the mobility of the cabins and to reinforce structural stability.

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MICROHOME 2026
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The Next House: USA
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20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
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100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

`
Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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