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Floating Community Spaces Crafted with Corrosion-Resistant Materials and Biophilic Design Elements

Author:
Daniil Mokhov
Floating Community Spaces Crafted with Corrosion-Resistant Materials and Biophilic Design Elements

Project in-detail

Crafted from corrosion-resistant materials, the modular living units rise above water on floating platforms, creating adaptable residential spaces that foster community engagement while addressing urban housing challenges.
5 key facts about this project
01
Floating residential units designed for tidal adaptability.
02
Use of corrosion-resistant alloys to withstand marine conditions.
03
Modular construction allows for customizable living configurations.
04
Community spaces integrated with biophilic design principles.
05
Existing underused bridges repurposed as structural supports.

## Maunsell Sea Housing Project Overview

Located on the site of the historic Maunsell Forts, designed by engineer Guy Maunsell during World War II, the Maunsell Sea Housing project addresses contemporary housing shortages through innovative design and sustainable construction practices. By repurposing existing waterfront structures, the initiative aims to create urban communities that coexist harmoniously with marine environments. The project's design framework embraces adaptive reuse and metabolic architecture, enhancing livability while responding to both historical significance and modern urban dynamics.

### Spatial Configuration and Community Interaction

The housing scheme employs a vertical stacking strategy with modular living units organized around a central hexagonal structural core. Each unit caters to different family sizes and preferences, offering customizable layouts that enhance user experience. This modularity also allows for interconnected spaces and shared walkways, fostering community engagement and social interaction among residents. Outdoor living is emphasized through the incorporation of terraces and balconies, enabling personal gardens and connecting inhabitants with the aquatic surroundings.

### Construction Materials and Sustainability Measures

The choice of materials reflects a commitment to durability and environmental sustainability. Reinforced concrete provides foundational strength, while steel and corrosion-resistant alloys ensure long-term structural integrity in a marine context. Sustainable plastics are utilized for lightweight exterior cladding, and glass elements are incorporated to maximize natural light. Additionally, features such as rainwater harvesting systems support resource-efficient living, reinforcing the project's overall sustainability strategy while allowing the housing units to adapt to fluctuating water levels through floating bases and the reuse of existing bridge infrastructure.

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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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