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Buoyant Complex of Steel and Plastic Engaging Emergent Ocean Environments

Author:
Márcio Valença
Buoyant Complex of Steel and Plastic Engaging Emergent Ocean Environments
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Constructed from buoyant steel and plastic, the floating complex offers an adaptive environment that explores the complexities of humanity while providing essential services within oceanic settings.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using buoyant net balls made from repurposed plastic.
02
Incorporates sections representing different facets of human experience: bright, blur, and dark.
03
Sustainability features include a solar panel power station and water desalinization unit.
04
Designed for adjustable height, allowing expansion to accommodate future needs.
05
Facilitates visitor interaction with human specimens in designated observation areas.

The design features a floating complex located within deep-sea environments, tailored to meet the unique challenges presented by the ocean. The aim is to represent the complexities of humanity, showcasing both strengths and weaknesses. This structure adapts to the surrounding marine context, allowing for growth and evolution while emphasizing a commitment to sustainability.

Design Concept

The main building is capable of adjusting to various ocean depths. It allows for vertical expansion through additional rings that can be added after initial construction. This flexibility not only addresses structural demands but also enables a continuous architectural narrative. Organized into three sections—bright, blur, and dark—the design symbolizes different aspects of human experience, with divisions that highlight inherent contradictions.

Structural Elements

Resembling a sectioned cone, the main building is supported by a central steel mast. This mast serves as the focal point for visitor observation platforms. Visitors can engage with displays featuring human specimens, prompting exploration of existence and identity. Every three floors, access walkways facilitate movement, offering an engaging experience as individuals navigate through the various stories presented by the architecture.

Service Islands

Surrounding the primary structure, secondary service islands provide key support functions. These islands feature a solar panel power station, a digital communication port, and a water desalinization unit. These elements work together to enhance sustainability and self-sufficiency. The design of these islands allows for adaptability, ensuring that they can evolve as new technologies emerge, reinforcing their importance within the maritime environment.

Sustainable Materials and Mechanisms

A notable aspect of the floating complex is the use of net balls filled with plastic and other debris to achieve stability and buoyancy. This solution allows the structure to remain effective above the water’s surface while addressing concerns related to ocean pollution. The integration of discarded materials into the design emphasizes a connection with environmental responsibility.

The main building incorporates spaces for human remains, DNA deposits, and personal artifacts, layered within the architecture. This arrangement encourages visitors to reflect on life, memory, and legacy as they engage with the various elements of the structure.

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

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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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