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Biosolar Roof and Green Infrastructure for Flood-Resilient Living

Author:
Jessica Ho
Biosolar Roof and Green Infrastructure for Flood-Resilient Living

Project in-detail

A biosolar roof combined with greywater recycling creates a flood-resilient living space that prioritizes sustainability and adaptability in an urban environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Biosolar roof enhances local biodiversity through integrated green systems.
02
Rotary mechanism enables flexible spatial configurations for diverse functions.
03
Greywater recycling system promotes sustainable water management in urban contexts.
04
Extended overhang provides effective shading and natural climate control.
05
Designed for easy integration with sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS).

The Cocoon project is a thoughtful design created to respond to the challenges of coastal cities in the year 2030. With rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events, it focuses on resilience and sustainability in urban living. The concept integrates energy-efficient systems and connects to sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS), highlighting an effective approach to contemporary urban issues.

Design and Functionality

The form features a biosolar roof that combines photovoltaic panels with a green roof. This setup generates renewable energy and creates microclimates, which support local biodiversity. The angled roof design allows for natural light while maintaining privacy. It adapts well to its environment and facilitates a pleasant living experience.

Adaptive Spatial Configuration

Inside, the design encourages flexibility with a rotary mechanism that allows for various spatial arrangements. This solution provides options for different functions, supported by extendable furniture that increases usability. Each space can serve multiple purposes, reflecting a modern lifestyle where adaptability is essential.

Environmental Strategy

The Cocoon incorporates an environmental strategy focused on making efficient use of resources. A green roof acts as insulation, enhancing thermal performance while reducing the need for mechanical heating and cooling. The design includes a water treatment cycle that recycles greywater, demonstrating an advanced approach to resource management that is vital for sustainability.

Natural Climate Control

Elements of the design promote natural climate control. The extended overhang of the biosolar roof blocks the sun's high rays in summer, while the elevated glazing allows the lower winter sun to warm the interiors. This careful planning minimizes energy use, supporting an efficient living environment.

Combining these design elements creates a dwelling that balances human needs with ecological awareness, offering a vision for future urban living that is both practical and sustainable.

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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