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 Habitat Constructed with Sustainable Insulation Panels and Modular Timber Solutions for Climate Resilience

Authors:
Cezary Marek Kostecki, Jan Kusznieruk, Maksymiliansky Plewa, Szymon Ignacy Krejtz
Floating Habitat Constructed with Sustainable Insulation Panels and Modular Timber Solutions for Climate Resilience

Project in-detail

Constructed with floating modular habitats and high-performance insulation panels, this design adapts to rising water levels while fostering community resilience and ecological harmony through sustainable living spaces.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes high-performance insulation panels for enhanced thermal efficiency in floating conditions.
02
Incorporates modular design elements that allow for easy reconfiguration based on occupant needs.
03
Features integrated planters that promote biodiversity and natural water filtration within the habitat.
04
Constructed with buoyancy modules ensuring stability and adaptability to rising water levels.
05
Emphasizes a community barter system, fostering local economic interaction and support among residents.

**Overview**

The Noah's Ark project proposes a series of modular habitats designed specifically for regions susceptible to flooding due to climate change, including Amsterdam, Cumbria, and parts of Vietnam. It aims to create floating structures that can adapt to fluctuating water levels while fostering community engagement and bolstering local ecosystems. The approach reflects an understanding of the pressing environmental challenges faced by these areas and emphasizes resilience and adaptability.

**Spatial Organization and Community Integration**

The layout features three distinct functional zones—Casual Living, Work, and Sleep—allowing for diverse user experiences within a cohesive environment. Casual Living provides an open area conducive to social interaction, while Work spaces are designed with configurable setups to accommodate various tasks. The Sleep area prioritizes privacy and comfort, with movable panels enhancing flexibility. This organization not only promotes efficient use of space but also encourages community cohesion through shared areas designed for social interaction.

**Material and Structural Innovation**

The project employs sustainable materials such as Kingspan QuadCore LEC panels for thermal efficiency, wooden slats for natural ventilation and aesthetics, and three-layer plywood for flexible flooring. Its structural composition consists of interconnected floating units supported by an ecological substrate mat system, which enhances biodiversity and promotes the growth of local vegetation. These design elements collectively create a habitat that not only ensures stability but also contributes to environmental health, filtering rainwater and improving atmospheric quality.

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