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Elevated Bamboo Living With Photovoltaic Solutions

Authors:
Kai Horng, Gayatri Narayan, Camilla Dayrit, Simone Arora
Elevated Bamboo Living With Photovoltaic Solutions

Project in-detail

The innovative pulley system elevates a bamboo structure designed to withstand flooding, integrating photovoltaic glass to enhance energy efficiency in a compact living space.
5 key facts about this project
01
The pulley system allows the home to be easily elevated during flooding events.
02
Bamboo panels provide lightweight yet durable construction.
03
Photovoltaic glass enhances energy efficiency and sustainability.
04
Designed specifically for young professionals in urban environments.
05
Shared outdoor spaces foster community interaction and engagement.

The design addresses the pressing issues related to climate change in Vietnam, where urban populations living in low-lying deltas face significant risks from flooding. This microhome serves as a housing solution tailored for low-income families, focusing on adaptability within a challenging geographical environment. The concept emphasizes practical living spaces while fostering community connections and promoting sustainability.

Design Concept

A key feature of the microhome is the pulley system that allows residents to elevate the structure when flooding occurs. This aspect provides a direct response to the necessity for quick adjustments in natural disaster situations. The organization of space within the microhome is efficient and functional, accommodating the needs of young professionals. It includes essential areas such as storage, a kitchen, a bathroom, a multipurpose workspace, and a lofted bedroom.

Materials and Structure

Materials for the microhome are selected for their practicality and environmental impact. Bamboo panels are used due to their lightweight and sustainable characteristics. The structure is supported by a steel frame and pole system, offering durability to withstand harsh weather. Photovoltaic glass is integrated to enhance energy efficiency, making the home responsive to external environmental conditions. Steel cables support the pulley mechanism, ensuring the microhome remains adaptable during flooding.

Community Interaction

The design encourages engagement with the surrounding environment by incorporating shared outdoor areas. These spaces promote social interactions among residents, which is vital in densely populated urban settings. By providing areas for communal gatherings, the microhome supports both individual wellbeing and community cohesion, addressing the needs of vulnerable populations effectively.

The microhome’s functional pulley system exemplifies a practical means of flood management while maintaining a straightforward and efficient appearance that aligns with its setting.

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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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