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Tensile Fabric Roof and Modular Prefabrication in a Floating Residential Habitat

Tensile Fabric Roof and Modular Prefabrication in a Floating Residential Habitat
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With a tensile fabric roof and modular prefabrication elevated on steel pylons, this floating residential habitat integrates sustainable living with innovative design strategies to create a unique coastal dwelling.
5 key facts about this project
01
Elevated on steel pylons to adapt to rising water levels.
02
Tensile fabric roof design provides natural light while reducing heat gain.
03
Modular prefabricated units allow for flexible spatial arrangements.
04
Integrated vegetation enhances air quality and promotes biodiversity.
05
Utilizes sustainable materials for improved environmental performance.

### Overview

Located in Dubai, the House of the Floating Sand is a conceptual residential project that integrates traditional Middle Eastern architectural elements with modern design principles. The intent is to create a habitat that coexists with its aquatic surroundings while providing contemporary living conditions. This project seeks to establish a relationship between built environments and natural landscapes, thereby enriching the user experience.

### Spatial Strategy and Structural Design

The project features a multi-level layout elevated above the water, supported by a network of 30-meter steel pylons engineered for stability against environmental forces such as wind and waves. The configuration is organized into three interconnected zones, enhancing fluidity and communication among living spaces through walkways. The design incorporates modular housing units constructed from prefabricated elements, allowing for adaptability and transportability. Each unit is designed to integrate natural vegetation, which augments aesthetics and contributes to air quality.

### Materiality and Sustainability

The selection of materials is pivotal to the project's sustainable ethos. Structural elements utilize steel for durability, while tensile fabric serves as a lightweight roofing solution that minimizes solar heat gain and contributes to an inviting interior atmosphere. Glass is employed in facade components to optimize views and continuity with the surroundings. Precast concrete units ensure consistency and structural integrity, and natural materials like wood are incorporated in decorative features and vegetation planters.

Sustainable practices are further reinforced through the integration of solar panels, enhancing energy efficiency. The design promotes community engagement by featuring a central area intended for social interaction, fostering a sense of community among residents. By honoring traditional architectural motifs within a contemporary framework, the project aims to maintain cultural continuity while addressing future urban living challenges.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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