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Floating Pavilions Featuring Transparent Glass and Natural Wood Integration for Contemporary Family Living

Authors:
Ananth Robert Sampathkumar, Mary R Chandrahasan
Floating Pavilions Featuring Transparent Glass and Natural Wood Integration for Contemporary Family Living

Project in-detail

Suspended above tranquil waters, the design integrates transparent glass panels and natural wood to create a seamless connection between interior spaces and nature, serving as a contemporary retreat for a family of four.
5 key facts about this project
01
Floating pavilions rest on buoyant foundations, enhancing the relationship with the water.
02
Movable glass panels allow dynamic adjustments to privacy and openness throughout the day.
03
The use of charred wooden shingles provides enhanced durability and aesthetic contrast.
04
Innovative bent A-frame design maximizes spatial efficiency while providing structural integrity.
05
Reflection pools surrounding the pavilions create a serene atmosphere and visual depth.

### Project Overview

Situated on the outskirts of Delhi, India, the House of Pavilions encompasses a contemporary architectural design intended as a serene sanctuary for a family of four. The structure is designed to facilitate a balance between communal engagement and personal retreat, reflecting the diverse needs of modern family living.

### Spatial Configuration

The design features three distinct pavilions—dedicated to sleeping, cooking, and communal dining—arranged to create a cohesive living environment. This layout promotes a fluid interaction among spaces while maintaining individual privacy. Each pavilion is constructed on a buoyant base, giving the impression of floating on a surrounding shallow body of water. Large glass panels allow for flexibility in spatial arrangement, enabling residents to control their level of openness and solitude. The innovative design also includes multiple entry points and corridors to enhance circulation and encourage social interaction.

### Materiality and Environmental Integration

The architectural expression of the House of Pavilions is defined by a deliberate choice of materials that emphasize transparency and a connection to nature. Key materials include:

- **Glass**: Movable panels enhance adaptability and facilitate an evolving relationship between indoor and outdoor environments.
- **Wood**: Used in structural elements, it contributes warmth and a natural ambiance to the modern aesthetic.
- **Steel**: Provides necessary structural support while ensuring a lightweight composition.
- **Concrete**: Establishes a solid foundation that integrates the pavilions into the landscape.
- **Water**: Functions as a design element, contributing to the tranquility and aesthetic appeal of the surroundings.

The incorporation of reflective pools not only serves an aesthetic role but promotes a harmonious relationship between the structure and its natural context, thereby enhancing the overall living experience.

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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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