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Elevated Living Spaces with Marine Plywood and Rainwater Harvesting Systems for Sustainable Community Engagement

Authors:
Shiny Son, Yi Tong Kwan
Elevated Living Spaces with Marine Plywood and Rainwater Harvesting Systems for Sustainable Community Engagement

Project in-detail

Utilizing marine plywood and an elevated structure for flood resilience, the design integrates rainwater harvesting to support sustainable living within a modular community framework.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes marine plywood for enhanced moisture resistance and durability.
02
Features an elevated structure to mitigate flood risks effectively.
03
Incorporates a rainwater harvesting system to promote self-sufficiency.
04
Employs modular design for flexible living spaces that adapt to user needs.
05
Integrates communal outdoor areas to foster neighborhood interaction.

## Project Overview

Alcove House is a contemporary housing design located in Australia, addressing the growing demand for sustainable and affordable living solutions. The project integrates modularity and adaptability, establishing a framework that considers environmental impacts while catering to functional and cultural requirements. The design aims to tackle practical challenges associated with climate and affordability, presenting an alternative living environment that aligns with local narratives.

## Spatial Organization

The interior layout of Alcove House is organized into distinct functional areas known as "Alcoves," which include specific zones for kitchen and storage, dining/study, lounge, bathroom, and utility spaces. This arrangement allows for fluid interactions between different sections while ensuring a sense of intimacy and comfort. The modularity of the design facilitates dynamic engagement with the living spaces, encouraging a community-oriented experience among residents.

## Climatic Adaptation and Sustainability

A central feature of Alcove House is its elevated structure, which addresses potential flooding risks while enhancing natural ventilation. The skillion roof design includes strategically placed louvers to promote airflow and effective heat dissipation, responding to Australia’s varying climate conditions. The project also emphasizes sustainable practices, utilizing locally sourced materials such as marine plywood and sustainably harvested hardwood. The use of a rainwater harvesting system and modular construction methods further reduce the environmental footprint and promote cost-effectiveness, making the project accessible to a broader demographic. The flexibility inherent in the design allows for future modifications, accommodating the changing needs of its inhabitants over time.

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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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