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Floating Cabin Featuring Perforated Panels and Sustainable Water Management

Authors:
Alfredo Barreno wadsworth, Fiorella Valdivia fonseca
Floating Cabin Featuring Perforated Panels and Sustainable Water Management

Project in-detail

A triangular ring structure with perforated panels and an integrated grey water filtration system creates a sustainable retreat for meditation and relaxation in a natural setting.
5 key facts about this project
01
Triangular ring structure enhances stability while offering aesthetic appeal.
02
Removable panels provide adjustable protection and connectivity with nature.
03
Integrated grey water filter promotes ecological sustainability.
04
Solar air heating system reduces energy consumption for heating.
05
Floating design option allows for versatile site placement in natural settings.

The cabin serves as a place for meditation and relaxation, situated in a natural environment that allows for a gentle escape from the busyness of daily life. The design focuses on creating a connection with the outdoors while providing shelter. Users can choose to place the cabin in different locations, whether it is among trees, elevated in the treetops, or even floating on water, depending on their preference.

Structural Form
The cabin is built around a triangular ring structure, giving it a robust form that is visually appealing. This design contributes to both the stability and style of the cabin, allowing it to fit comfortably into various outdoor settings. The simplicity of the layout promotes an inviting atmosphere for reflection and calmness.

Eco-Friendly Technologies
The project incorporates various eco-friendly technologies to lessen its environmental impact. Solar panels are used to supply energy, lighting three LED fixtures for extended periods without additional power sources. Additionally, a solar air heating system draws in air and warms it before it enters the space, helping maintain a comfortable indoor climate without consuming excess energy.

Water Management and Sanitation
Water management is addressed with a grey water filter system made from filter paper, small rocks, sand, and vegetable charcoal. This system ensures that water is treated effectively before returning to the soil. A dry toilet system using sawdust allows for composting of waste, reinforcing the emphasis on ecological responsibility within the design.

Meditation Area Design
The meditation area is framed by removable panels that serve multiple roles. Each panel consists of three layers: an inner mosquito net for small insects, a middle perforated aluminum sheet to keep out larger animals, and an outer polycarbonate sheet that protects against dust, rain, and wind. This structure allows users to adjust their environment according to their needs while remaining connected to the natural world outside.

A wooden platform extends beyond the cabin, offering space for outdoor activities like yoga or simply enjoying the view. This addition invites users to engage with their surroundings, enhancing the experience of tranquility that the cabin aims to provide.

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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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