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Mealworm-Enabled Hydroponic Habitat Constructed with Recycled Plastic and Aerated Concrete

Mealworm-Enabled Hydroponic Habitat Constructed with Recycled Plastic and Aerated Concrete
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Utilizing recycled plastic and aerated concrete, a floating habitat integrates mealworm-based waste management and hydroponics to provide a sustainable living solution in an urban waterfront environment.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes recycled plastic as a primary building material for durability and sustainability.
02
Integrates a mealworm colony for on-site plastic waste management and compost production.
03
Features hydroponic systems allowing residents to grow food within the living space.
04
Constructed with aerated concrete panels to enhance thermal performance and buoyancy.
05
Floating design enables adaptability to fluctuating water levels in urban waterfronts.

## Overview

PLAST-X addresses the critical issue of plastic pollution in marine environments through an innovative architectural approach. The design is located in a future housing framework aimed at sustainable and adaptable living spaces. By utilizing recycled materials, the project emphasizes resource regeneration while responding to contemporary societal needs, reinforcing the significance of ecological awareness in architectural practice.

### Spatial Strategy and Resilience

The PLAST-X project features a compact, 25-square-meter living module designed to float on water, addressing the challenges posed by rising sea levels and potential flooding due to climate change. This buoyant structure exemplifies adaptability to fluctuating water levels, ensuring resilience in a dynamic environment. Moreover, the design incorporates vertical farming systems that support food production and security, utilizing mealworms that convert plastic waste into compost, thereby creating a closed-loop ecosystem.

### Materiality and Technological Integration

A key element of the PLAST-X design is the thoughtful selection of materials aimed at minimizing environmental impact. The main structural components include recycled plastic, wood products for interior resilience, and aerated concrete panels to enhance thermal efficiency. Solar panels provide renewable energy, while 3D printing technology allows for the fabrication of parts from recycled plastics, facilitating both creativity and rapid construction. This material combination not only ensures the structural integrity of the design but also reinforces a commitment to sustainability by promoting a circular economy within housing.

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Enter an open architecture
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Kingspan MICROHOME 2026: Building Less to Create More

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Competition organisers

The Kingspan MICROHOME 2026 competition invites architects and designers worldwide to rethink small-scale living by creating an off-grid, modular micro dwelling under 25 m². Now in its 11th edition, the contest emphasizes sustainable, innovative, and human-centered design that demonstrates how compact living can have a big impact.

With a €100,000 prize fund, entries will be evaluated for originality, efficiency, and their response to contemporary environmental and social challenges. The competition is open to everyone, with submissions allowed individually or in teams of up to four. Registration closes on 30 September 2026, and winners will be announced on 15 December 2026.

By celebrating creativity within strict limits, MICROHOME 2026 continues to push the boundaries of compact architecture and sustainable living.

MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 September 2026

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Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a 50,000€ prize

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