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Diamond-Shaped Pavilion Featuring Prisma Glass and Floating Pontoons for Marine Research

Authors:
Courtney Wuerfel-wright, Hanna Rohst, Yi-ting Lai
Diamond-Shaped Pavilion Featuring Prisma Glass and Floating Pontoons for Marine Research
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Anchored at sea level, the diamond-shaped pavilion combines Prisma glass and floating pontoons to create a space for marine research and cultural exchange.
5 key facts about this project
01
Diamond shape enhances structural stability and aesthetic appeal.
02
Prisma glass façade creates a visual connection to the marine environment.
03
Anchored pontoons allow flexibility in design and function.
04
Underwater research facilities support marine biology studies.
05
Modular layout facilitates international cultural events and exchanges.

The DEEP BLUE Taiwan Pavilion stands as a notable structure at the edge of the sea, engaging with both the water and the sky. It serves as an underwater research station and a cultural pavilion, connecting people to marine and atmospheric environments. The design features a diamond-like shape, symbolizing clarity and the human desire to understand the unknown.

Architectural Composition

The pavilion comprises multiple functional areas that promote interaction and learning. The culture pavilion includes workshops, a café, and spaces for conferences. These elements encourage both local and international visitors to engage with the building and its purpose. The design reflects a commitment to community involvement while supporting narratives of scientific and cultural discovery.

Structural Integrity

A series of anchored pontoons form the pavilion's main structure, creating a flexible platform that can adapt for various events. This design minimizes environmental impact by maintaining stability in the marine setting. The anchored core provides a secure foundation, allowing the surrounding ecosystem to thrive without disruption.

Material Selection

Transparency and light are central themes, achieved through the use of Prisma glass in the façade. This choice allows natural light to fill the interior while creating a connection with the outdoor landscape. Metal sandwich construction ensures durability, and the railings, made of metal wiring infill, enhance safety. The plastic pontoons are designed with circular air infill, ensuring they float well and remain stable in fluctuating water levels.

Design Detail

The pavilion’s base features fiberglass reinforced plastic formwork, providing a robust foundation for the structure. Acrylic underwater glass panels create opportunities for immersion, allowing visitors to look into the marine world below. This design encourages exploration and inquiry, merging the realms of science and nature in a meaningful way.

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MICROHOME 2026
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The Next House: USA
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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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