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Mobile Living Units on Water with Community-Centric Design

Author:
Katarzyna Lejk
Mobile Living Units on Water with Community-Centric Design

Project in-detail

Floating modular units designed for urban living redefine residential flexibility and sustainability, creating a community-focused environment in Gdańsk.
5 key facts about this project
01
Modular containers allow for customizable living arrangements.
02
Structures can be relocated, enhancing urban flexibility.
03
Integrated community spaces promote social interaction.
04
Sustainability-focused design incorporates minimal environmental impact.
05
Green roofs and natural elements enhance urban biodiversity.

The Docking Skyscraper is located in Gdańsk, a city with a rich history and a strong connection to themes of social change. The design addresses the new realities of urban life, primarily focusing on the needs of digital nomads. By rethinking what residential living can be, the project stresses adaptability and sustainability, creating a living space that serves modern lifestyles while integrating with its surroundings.

Conceptual Framework

The design revolves around using containers as modular living units. This approach enhances the flexibility of housing options, allowing residents to adjust their spaces as necessary. The ability to move entire floating units within the city is a key feature. This mobility not only reflects personal preferences but also responds to environmental changes, such as rising sea levels and urbanization.

Sustainability Considerations

A fundamental aspect is the commitment to sustainability. The project opts for a back-to-basics strategy by incorporating existing materials into its design. This choice helps to reduce the environmental impact typical of conventional buildings. By placing living spaces on a ship, the design opens imaginative solutions to issues faced in coastal regions, addressing potential flooding while offering unique architectural possibilities.

Community Engagement

The layout encourages community interaction through careful design planning. The arrangement of modular units allows for various living options, enabling individuals to select setups that suit their needs—whether single studios or connected containers. This focus on community and shared spaces enriches the urban experience, creating opportunities for neighbors to connect while respecting the city’s historical context.

Public Space Integration

Public areas and green spaces are integral to the overall design. These elements provide a necessary balance within the dense urban environment of Gdańsk. The incorporation of greenery enhances the aesthetic value while also improving the quality of life for residents. These open spaces are essential not just for relaxation but also for fostering biodiversity in the growing urban setting.

The Docking Skyscraper combines ideas of mobility, sustainability, and community to offer a modern living environment. It allows for flexible living arrangements where containers can move and change, adapting to what residents need. This design approach focuses on creating spaces that fit well with current urban lifestyles while addressing the changing nature of cities.

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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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