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Buoyant Shelter Crafted from Mycelium and Bamboo for Flood Resilience in the Amazon

Authors:
Armando Romero, Aarthi Namasivayam, Oshin Malhara, Jon Long
Buoyant Shelter Crafted from Mycelium and Bamboo for Flood Resilience in the Amazon

Project in-detail

Crafted using mycelium panels and bamboo, the design elevates living spaces above seasonal flooding in the Amazon while promoting community engagement through integrated hydroponic systems for sustainable food production.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted from locally sourced bamboo and mycelium for sustainable construction.
02
Designed to float, adapting to seasonal flood conditions in the Amazon.
03
Integrates hydroponic systems for year-round food production within the living space.
04
Utilizes natural ventilation techniques through its curvilinear roof design.
05
Promotes community interaction with shared communal spaces and gardens.

### Project Overview
The BioMachine is located along the Amazon River in South America, addressing key issues of environmental resilience and community sustainability in a region vulnerable to flooding and ecological challenges. This architectural design employs innovative construction techniques and environmentally friendly materials to mitigate the impact of seasonal flooding while promoting a self-sustaining lifestyle for residents.

### Materiality and Structural Design
The project features a range of sustainable materials, notably including bamboo, known for its rapid growth and strength, and mycelium-based panels that provide insulation and promote biodiversity. These components contribute to the overall ecological ethos of the design. The dynamic roof form not only enhances the aesthetic value but also facilitates rainwater collection and natural ventilation, thereby minimizing reliance on energy-intensive mechanical systems.

The interior layout emphasizes openness and flexibility, promoting social interaction while accommodating various community activities. Water filtration and hydroponic systems integrated into the building facilitate sustainable living by ensuring a reliable water supply and enabling food production without traditional soil farming.

### Community Integration and Environmental Response
The design incorporates dedicated communal spaces aimed at fostering collaboration and enhancing community ties. This focus on social interaction supports local resilience and encourages sustainable practices among residents. The building’s responsiveness to its ecological context is evident through adaptive design strategies that align with the surrounding landscape, making it a reference model for future developments in ecologically sensitive areas.

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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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