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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

Project in-detail

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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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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Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
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