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Floating Shelter Constructed with Kingspan Insulated Panels and Green Roofs for Resilient Living

Floating Shelter Constructed with Kingspan Insulated Panels and Green Roofs for Resilient Living
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Constructed with a buoyant foundation and Kingspan insulated panels, this micro home integrates green roofs and living walls to offer a sustainable, adaptable solution for flood-prone areas.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with a floating foundation to enhance safety in flood-prone areas.
02
Features Kingspan insulated panels for superior thermal performance and lower carbon footprint.
03
Incorporates green roofs and living walls to support biodiversity and improve air quality.
04
Utilizes foldable furniture for flexible interior space suited to various living needs.
05
The design mimics natural forms, promoting environmental harmony and aesthetic integration.

## Project Overview
EcoChelen Haven, located in a flood-prone region, is designed to address the increasing challenges related to climate change and natural disasters through an innovative approach to micro housing. With a compact footprint of 25 square meters, the project focuses on resilience and adaptability. A floating structure coupled with an underground anchoring system provides stability during extreme weather events, ensuring the safety of occupants while minimizing environmental impact.

## Exterior Design and Materiality
The exterior features an organic, sinuous form inspired by biological structures, specifically reflecting the protective qualities of a turtle's shell. This shape not only enhances structural integrity but also promotes aesthetic appeal. The façade is constructed from Kingspan’s lower embodied carbon (LEC) insulated panels, which deliver durability and energy efficiency. A green façade, incorporating living vegetation, not only supports ecological interaction but also reduces energy consumption through natural insulation methods.

## Sustainability and Self-sufficiency
The design prioritizes sustainability through various integrated systems. Solar panels enable the home to generate its own energy, reducing dependence on external sources. An advanced rainwater harvesting system captures and utilizes rainwater, further contributing to self-sufficiency and waste reduction. Green roofs serve as both an aesthetic enhancement and a functional element, providing additional insulation, improving biodiversity, and managing stormwater runoff effectively. These features collectively create a living environment that aligns with contemporary needs for ecological stewardship and sustainable living practices.

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Enter an open architecture
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MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 18 February 2026

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Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

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