Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Floating Dwellings Crafted from Sustainable Wood and Glass for Urban Aquatic Living

Author:
梦婷 张
Floating Dwellings Crafted from Sustainable Wood and Glass for Urban Aquatic Living

Project in-detail

Crafted from sustainable wood and framed by expansive glass facades, these floating modular homes redefine urban living by seamlessly integrating with their waterfront environment, offering a unique solution for adaptable residential spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with cross-laminated timber panels for enhanced structural integrity.
02
Incorporates charred wooden shingles for improved weather resistance and aesthetics.
03
Features a bent A-frame design to optimize water drainage and stability.
04
Utilizes lightweight polystyrene floats for buoyancy and sustainability.
05
Emphasizes community interaction through shared outdoor spaces on water.

### Overview

The project addresses challenges associated with urban density by proposing innovative living solutions that integrate residential spaces with aquatic environments. Designed for coastal cities with extensive waterways, the proposal envisions modular floating homes that facilitate a transition from traditional urban living to an adaptive, water-based lifestyle. This design aims to reclaim the connection to nature often lost in metropolitan settings, providing urban dwellers—specifically young couples—a serene alternative to crowded city life.

### Spatial Configuration

The architecture is organized around modular floating homes constructed on buoyant platforms. This layout encourages fluid interactions between indoor and outdoor areas, featuring expansive decks that enhance leisure and social engagement. Variations in design allow residents to select configurations tailored to individual needs and preferences, reflecting current trends in spatial adaptability and contemporary living dynamics. The arrangement aims to foster a sense of community while also accommodating personal privacy, reminiscent of the best qualities of close-knit neighborhoods.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The homes utilize sustainable materials, primarily timber for structural elements, which promotes warmth and aligns with eco-friendly practices due to its renewability. Extensive glass facades permit natural light to flood the interiors, enhancing the connection between residents and their aquatic environment, while minimizing the disconnection often felt in dense urban spaces. Floating platforms made of polystyrene ensure stability and adaptability to changing water levels. Together, these design choices create a low-impact living environment that supports both ecological balance and psychological well-being, emphasizing a harmonious relationship with nature.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy