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Canvas and Wood Floating Homes Along the Seine

Authors:
Paula Imperatore, Luke Olsen
Canvas and Wood Floating Homes Along the Seine

Project in-detail

Floating homes constructed from wood and canvas create a vibrant, community-oriented environment along the Seine, addressing affordable housing needs while fostering a strong connection to nature.
5 key facts about this project
01
Floating homes are designed to adapt to fluctuating water levels on the Seine.
02
The use of wood and canvas enhances environmental sustainability while maintaining aesthetic quality.
03
Community spaces are integrated throughout the layout to promote social interaction.
04
The arrangement allows for flexible configurations, fostering adaptability in housing needs.
05
The design emphasizes historical connections to river living in Paris.

The design located along the Seine River in Paris focuses on floating housing and artificial islands that offer affordable living options in a densely populated urban area. The concept promotes a relationship between housing and nature, allowing homes to blend into the landscape. By creating lightweight structures, the design enables adaptation to the river's conditions, illustrating a contemporary approach to community living.

Concept and Integration

The primary idea is to establish lightweight, mobile dwellings arranged in various configurations, situated at the water's edge. This layout encourages residents to engage with the river and nearby park spaces, promoting a lifestyle that connects to the environment. Allowing for flexible arrangements enhances interaction with the aquatic landscape, enriching the experience of urban life along the Seine.

Historical References

The design takes cues from historical forms of river living, linking its modern execution to a broader cultural story. Recognizing the importance of the Seine in Paris's identity, the proposal reflects on traditional ways of inhabiting the river, addressing current housing needs while honoring the city’s past. This approach underscores the persistent presence of the river in urban life, creating a dialogue between history and modernity.

Materiality and Sustainability

Regarding materials, the design utilizes wood and canvas to create structures that are lightweight and environmentally friendly. Wood helps minimize ecological impact while providing durability. Canvas offers a flexible exterior that adapts to the changing conditions of the site. This choice of materials not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also encourages responsible practices that benefit the environment.

Community Focus

A strong emphasis is placed on building community among residents. Shared spaces for gatherings and interactions are woven into the design, promoting connections and engagement in the city. By focusing on inclusivity, the project seeks to address problems related to gentrification, striving to support a diverse community within these floating homes.



The arrangement of the floating houses aligns with the gentle flow of the river, offering views that enhance the living experience. Residents can enjoy the peaceful presence of water, while the layout supports a vibrant community atmosphere.

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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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