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Floating Micro-Home Crafted from Recovered Wood with Straw Bale Insulation

Authors:
Adrian Carp, Ioana-maria Benghe, Nicole Iliescu
Floating Micro-Home Crafted from Recovered Wood with Straw Bale Insulation

Project in-detail

Crafted from recovered wood and featuring straw bale insulation, this floating micro-home utilizes solar energy and rainwater harvesting to provide an efficient living space that fosters community engagement on the riverside.
5 key facts about this project
01
Crafted entirely from recovered wood, enhancing ecological sustainability.
02
Integrates a straw bale insulation system for superior thermal performance.
03
Floating design allows for repositioning based on sun and water flow.
04
Equipped with solar panels and a rainwater collection system for off-grid living.
05
Features communal gardens to promote interaction among residents.

### Project Overview
Located along a river, the Watershed is a micro home designed for off-grid living. The project aims to foster a connection between residents and their natural surroundings, emphasizing minimalist design principles that support sustainable and communal living. By addressing contemporary environmental challenges, the Watershed presents a functional living space tailored for individuals or couples who value simplicity and ecological responsibility.

### Spatial Configuration
The internal layout of the Watershed is designed for multifaceted use, allowing for flexible utilization of space throughout the day. Key areas, including a kitchen, bathroom, and living space, offer comfort while maximizing efficiency. A retractable table serves dual purposes as a dining area and workspace, ensuring that every square foot is used effectively. Additionally, communal spaces adjacent to the housing unit, such as vegetable gardens and composting areas, are incorporated to encourage social interaction and sustainable practices among residents.

### Innovative Mobility and Sustainable Systems
A notable feature of the Watershed is its ability to float and rotate on its base, allowing residents to reposition the structure to optimize solar exposure and enhance comfort. The integration of a solar panel array covering approximately 20 square meters ensures the home operates independently from external power sources. Furthermore, the roof includes a rainwater collection system that channels water into a Kingspan Slimline tank, promoting efficient water usage. This combination of mobility and sustainable systems highlights the project’s commitment to reducing environmental impact while offering a modern living solution.

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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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