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Bamboo and Recycled Cork Floating Homes with Integrated Garden Spaces

Authors:
Anahita Dasgupta, Douglas Tsui, Emad Abdulwajid, Mayuki Sasagawa
Bamboo and Recycled Cork Floating Homes with Integrated Garden Spaces

Project in-detail

Floating above water, the homes utilize reinforced bamboo and recycled cork while incorporating integrated garden spaces to create self-sufficient living environments in response to climate challenges.
5 key facts about this project
01
Floating platform allows for rotation to maximize solar energy collection.
02
Integrated desalination tank provides potable water while cooling the home.
03
Garden pods convert waste into fertilizer for sustainable gardening.
04
Screen doors create seamless indoor-outdoor living experiences.
05
Compact design allows adaptability for various family sizes and needs.

The Lilypods project presents an innovative approach to the challenges posed by climate change, especially in areas facing rising sea levels and increased flooding. Floating micro-homes are designed for modern living, providing sustainability and adaptability for various family structures. Set against the backdrop of potential environmental displacement, The Lilypods embodies a forward-thinking vision for residential living.

Design Concept

The core idea behind The Lilypods is to create water-friendly housing. The design focuses on flexibility, allowing the initial layout for young professional couples to be expanded for larger families. This adaptability makes the homes suitable for changing needs and demographics.

Sustainability Features

Sustainability is an essential part of The Lilypods. The homes include spaces for self-sustainable gardening, promoting ecological awareness among residents. Solar panels on the roofs enable energy generation, reducing the need for conventional power sources and supporting a self-sufficient lifestyle. By using passive design elements, the homes increase energy efficiency while connecting occupants more closely with their environment.

Architectural Aesthetics

The design reflects minimalist influences from Scandinavian and Japanese styles. Clean lines and functional shapes are predominant, creating a simple and pleasant living space. Large windows and screen doors enhance natural light and ventilation, dissolving the boundaries between indoor and outdoor areas. This design encourages openness and creates a sense of ease in the compact homes.

Innovative Systems

Key features of The Lilypods include a desalination and filter tank that supplies clean water while cooling the living spaces. An incinerating composting toilet converts waste into fertilizer for garden pods, demonstrating a focus on reducing waste and using resources efficiently. These systems help the micro-homes operate sustainably while providing for the needs of the residents.

The combination of bamboo, corrugated sheet metal, and recycled cork adds strength while supporting a sustainable approach within The Lilypods. This overall vision highlights how well-designed living spaces can address environmental challenges and meet the everyday needs of their inhabitants.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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