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Floating Roof Structure Enhances Community Engagement with Timber and Concrete Retreat

Authors:
Benjamin Tan, Jesse Thomas
Floating Roof Structure Enhances Community Engagement with Timber and Concrete Retreat

Project in-detail

The cabin's floating roof structure creates a unique visual anchor in the landscape while providing a communal retreat, featuring a solid concrete table and extensive amenities for cyclists traversing EuroVelo 6.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated design allows for unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape.
02
Solid concrete table integrates essential amenities and serves as a social hub.
03
Strip window design enhances natural light and visibility for approaching cyclists.
04
Floating roof supports drying and storage for wet gear and bicycles.
05
Timber elements reflect the natural identity of the local environment.

The Boat House Cabin is situated along EuroVelo 6, the Rivers Route, and serves as both a rest stop and a communal space for cyclists. Its design emphasizes an elevated structure that connects people with the surrounding environment. With this project, users are encouraged to take a break and engage with each other while surrounded by nature. The approach combines essential services with a strong sense of community.

Architecture Concept

The design centers around a solid concrete table that forms the foundation of the cabin. This table supports important amenities such as a shower, an amenity block, and a fireplace. Above the central table, there is a sleeping area sheltered by a canopy. This arrangement allows users to enjoy comfort while maintaining a connection to the outdoors.

Functional Layout

Inside the Boat House Cabin, several functional areas are clearly defined. These include a sleeping space, shower facilities, a bathroom, an open fireplace, and designated bike parking. The elevated deck acts as a flexible social area with built-in furniture that fosters interaction among visitors. The design is adaptable, easily expanding to accommodate more functions as needed.

Design Details

A notable feature of the cabin is the strip window that runs along the apex of the roof, allowing natural light to fill the sleeping cabins. This window also serves as a visual guide for cyclists approaching the cabin. The floating roof design provides practical benefits, as it creates space for users to hang wet gear and store bikes that require repairs.

Material Selection

Material choices are made with the local environment in mind. The design incorporates timber that is native to the area, which strengthens the connection of the cabin to its surroundings. This selection not only creates a cohesive look but also ensures the structure is durable and suits the landscape. Concrete is used for the central table, providing strength while supporting various functions within the space.

The light from the strip window creates changing patterns inside, highlighting the simple forms and textures of the cabin while merging the experience of being indoors and outdoors.

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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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