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Elevated Living Spaces Featuring Recycled Plastic Panels and Plywood Construction

Author:
Tommaso Zanini
Elevated Living Spaces Featuring Recycled Plastic Panels and Plywood Construction

Project in-detail

Utilizing an elevated design with plywood construction and recycled plastic panels, this residence offers a sustainable solution to flood resilience while maximizing adaptable living spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated living spaces provide protection against flooding while maintaining accessibility.
02
Recycled plastic panels integrate sustainability into the structural design.
03
Flexibility in interior layout allows for dynamic use of space throughout the day.
04
Green roofs enhance biodiversity and offer opportunities for urban agriculture.
05
Plywood sandwich panels deliver insulation and structural strength in a lightweight form.

**Overview**
Located in an area susceptible to flooding, "Upside Down" presents an innovative approach to residential architecture that prioritizes adaptability and self-sufficiency. The design addresses climate-related challenges by reconfiguring traditional aspects of home layouts, allowing for enhanced resilience against environmental emergencies. By elevating the ground floor while repurposing the roof as a functional living space, the project offers a practical solution to sustainable living in a changing climate.

**Material Usage and Environmental Strategy**
The construction employs a range of sustainable materials, including plywood sandwich panels, which provide lightweight durability and insulation. The integration of thermo-acoustic insulation within walls promotes energy efficiency, while recycled plastic panels in the external finishes exemplify a commitment to resource conservation. Wood elements contribute warmth and visual appeal, and clay is utilized in external applications to enhance cooling and weather resistance.

The environmental impact strategy includes a gravity-fed rainwater collection system to manage water resources effectively, ensuring accessibility even during dry periods. The elevated design safeguards against flooding, while green roofs and terraces promote urban agriculture, fostering sustainability. Additionally, a passive alert system provides real-time weather updates, enabling residents to make necessary adjustments and enhance the building’s overall climate resilience.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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