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Floating Structure with Cross-Laminated Timber Panels and Water Harvesting Features

Floating Structure with Cross-Laminated Timber Panels and Water Harvesting Features
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Constructed with cross-laminated timber panels and designed to float during flood events, this microhome incorporates rainwater harvesting and flexible living spaces to provide resilient housing solutions in vulnerable environments.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed to float, ensuring stability during flooding.
02
Utilizes cross-laminated timber panels for enhanced structural integrity.
03
Incorporates a bent A-frame design to optimize rainwater collection.
04
Features charred wooden shingles for improved durability and fire resistance.
05
Includes a flexible core that adapts to various living functions.

## Overview

Located in flood-prone regions of East Asia, including countries such as China, India, and Bangladesh, the Floating Island project addresses the ongoing housing crisis exacerbated by frequent flooding. This microhome design emphasizes adaptability, sustainability, and resilience, offering a solution that can effectively respond to the challenges of both wet and dry seasons. The structure's floating mechanism allows it to adjust to rising water levels while incorporating essential features that support energy independence and resource efficiency.

### Key Design Features

The architectural design showcases several innovative elements tailored for functional resilience. An amphibious capability is realized through a floating deck and adjustable columns, ensuring safety and accessibility during flood events. The flexible core of the microhome allows for various configurations, accommodating different residential needs such as social, working, and sleeping spaces. Renewable energy generation is facilitated by the integration of photovoltaic (PV) panels, while a specialized gutter system and butterfly roof design enable efficient rainwater harvesting, supporting the home’s independent water supply.

### Materiality and Engineering

Material selection focuses on sustainability and functionality, with components such as prefabricated Kingspan skylights enhancing natural light and overall aesthetics. The butterfly roof not only contributes to a distinctive architectural identity but also optimizes rainwater collection. Additionally, the engineering of buoyancy blocks and adaptable columns is integral to the floating mechanism, allowing for flexibility in the internal layout and ensuring stability during fluctuating water levels. This approach reflects a comprehensive strategy for enhancing livability in vulnerable regions.

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

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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.

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