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Mobile Shelters with Fire-Retardant Canvas and Non-Slip Flooring for Community Support

Authors:
Yvan Mackinnon, Eric Davies, James Hines
Mobile Shelters with Fire-Retardant Canvas and Non-Slip Flooring for Community Support

Project in-detail

Constructed with fire-retardant canvas and non-slip flooring, these mobile shelters provide safe and adaptable housing solutions for communities facing homelessness.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed using fire-retardant, self-extinguishing canvas fabric.
02
Includes a non-slip quarry tile flooring for safety in wet conditions.
03
Features a lightweight galvanized conduit frame for easy assembly.
04
Designed as mobile shelters to adapt to changing community needs.
05
Provides transitional housing solutions focusing on occupant dignity.

The Fabric House showcases a practical approach to temporary shelter for individuals facing homelessness. It focuses on creating safe, adaptable spaces in urban environments where the need for such housing is critical. The design promotes dignity and community, facilitating a path toward recovery for those who need support.

Structural Components
Walls and roofs consist of insulated airtrack cushions, wrapped in fire-retardant, self-extinguishing canvas fabric, built to meet NFPA 701 safety standards. This ensures that the structures offer warmth while providing crucial safety from fire hazards, creating a protective environment for occupants.



Flooring System
The flooring combines insulation with a plywood frame, topped with impermeable, fire-rated, non-slip quarry tile. This design enhances durability and addresses safety needs effectively. The non-slip surface is vital, especially during adverse weather, to prevent accidents and provide stability for those inside.



Elemental Protection
Rain and snow are managed by a protective layer made from the same fire-retardant canvas used for the walls. Treated with wax sealant, this cover withstands weather challenges like rain, snow, and hail, contributing to the overall comfort of the occupants while maintaining the shelter's integrity.



Support Structure
The frame uses galvanized 1" EMT conduit, which provides a strong yet lightweight base for easy assembly and disassembly. This adaptability allows the shelters to be relocated, aligning with the needs of transient populations and highlighting the importance of mobility in housing solutions.



The integration of various design elements results in a unified shelter that prioritizes safety and comfort for those in need. Each detail supports the overall mission of providing a secure space for recovery and community engagement.

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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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