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

Floating Dwellings Constructed with Local Timber and Sustainable Design Principles Along the River
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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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Pavilion Atlas 2026: Rethinking Nations Through Architectural Storytelling

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Competition organisers

Buildner launches Pavilion Atlas 2026, a global architecture competition inviting designers to create conceptual pavilions that tell the story of a country. Participants are challenged to express cultural, social, environmental, or political identity through spatial storytelling, focusing on ideas rather than symbols or technical constraints. The competition offers a total prize fund of €20,000, with final registration open until September 16, 2026, and winners to be announced on December 8, 2026. All submissions will become part of a global design archive.

Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 16 September 2026

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