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Driftwood Resilience in a Floating Timber Community

Authors:
Linnéa Olsson, Martin Blivik, Jihyun Lee, Zhihao Han
Driftwood Resilience in a Floating Timber Community

Project in-detail

Constructed from timber and driftwood, the floating village prioritizes community resilience and sustainability while providing essential living spaces on water.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using locally sourced timber and driftwood.
02
Floating structure designed to adapt to changing water levels.
03
Incorporates communal living spaces to foster social interaction.
04
Utilizes renewable energy systems to minimize reliance on external power.
05
Regular updates and communication systems enhance community preparedness.

M.A.S 2138 is a floating village designed to respond to the unique challenges of living on water. Located in the former Singapore Strait, the project blends functional spaces with essential community needs. The design concept focuses on resilience and adaptability, enabling people to thrive in an environment shaped by the sea and its changing conditions.

Community Resilience

At the heart of the design is the idea of community resilience. The layout features various living spaces that encourage interaction among residents. This sense of community support becomes vital during difficult times, allowing people to come together to face challenges. The architecture reflects a commitment to creating an environment where social ties help maintain stability and well-being.

Structural Integrity

Timber plays a significant role in the construction of the floating units, offering both strength and buoyancy. The project also utilizes scrap material and driftwood for repairs, demonstrating an awareness of environmental sustainability. By making use of available resources, the community shows its ability to adapt and maintain functionality even in changing conditions.

Sustainability and Self-Sufficiency

Power generation is a key feature of the design, supporting the community's drive for sustainability and self-sufficiency. A system of regular updates and communication helps prepare residents for unexpected challenges. This focus on maintaining essential services is crucial for the overall stability and functionality of village life.

Environmental Considerations

Positioned in a location influenced by fluctuating environmental conditions, the floating design allows for movement with the water's surface. This adaptability enables the community to respond to changing ecological circumstances effectively. The relationship between the built environment and natural elements enhances the project's capacity to accommodate life on water.

Shared spaces foster connections among residents, while substantial openings for ventilation create a comfortable living atmosphere. The thoughtful design takes into account both practicality and the well-being of those living within the floating village. It stands as an example of how architecture can respond directly to the demands of its environment.

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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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