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Floating Dwellings Constructed with Local Timber and Sustainable Design Principles Along the River

Author:
Thea Valentina Khanshaghaghi Barreto
Floating Dwellings Constructed with Local Timber and Sustainable Design Principles Along the River

Project in-detail

Constructed using local timber and designed for buoyancy, these floating dwellings offer adaptable living spaces that address the housing needs of digital nomads along Medellín's river.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with locally sourced timber to minimize environmental impact.
02
Features flexible layouts to accommodate various living arrangements for occupants.
03
Utilizes solar panels integrated into the slanted roofs for energy efficiency.
04
Designed to float, allowing for adaptations to changing water levels.
05
Incorporates natural ventilation techniques to enhance indoor air quality.

### Project Overview

Located in Medellín, Colombia, the Nomad River project is designed to address the growing demand for housing among digital nomads and expatriates. As the city faces a housing crisis intensified by gentrification and an influx of transient residents, this initiative seeks to provide innovative housing solutions along the river that flows through the urban landscape. The concept emphasizes sustainability while ensuring accessibility to the city's cultural and recreational offerings.

### Spatial Strategy and Community Integration

The design features a series of floating units that utilize the river as a living space. These structures are intended to foster community interaction while accommodating individual needs. Each unit is designed to connect with adjacent homes, creating a cohesive living environment. The careful arrangement enhances communal living while maintaining personal space, offering a balanced approach to urban residency.

### Materiality and Sustainable Practices

Material selection is integral to the project's sustainability goals. Local wood is employed for its lightweight properties and thermal insulation, reducing reliance on external resources and supporting local timber markets. The integration of solar panels on slanted roofs enables energy independence by harnessing renewable energy. Additionally, engineered flotation systems ensure the structures remain buoyant, reflecting a design ethos that aligns with environmental considerations and innovative engineering tailored to the river's conditions.

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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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