Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

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

Authors:
Pinru Zhu, Yuechao Zhang, Chuhan Zhao, Ka Hong Lam
Floating Structure With Cross-Laminated Timber Panels and Water Harvesting Features

Project in-detail

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.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

`
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

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025
100,000€ Prize / 2025
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Denver Affordable Housing Challenge
Affordable Housing Series 19th Edition
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #4
MICROHOME
MICROHOME
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy