1st Prize Winner: Living on Groundwater

Authors: Matthew W Wilde and Aleksa Milojevic

Country: USA

Prize: €20,000

Kingspan Products: Dri-Design cassette with Karrier Panel rainscreen substructure, Troldtekt V-Line acoustic ceiling panel, PowerPanel insulated solar roof system, GreenGuard GG25-LG insulation board, STEICOflex 036 wood fibre insulation, Multichannel LEC side rails and floor deck, Membrane Lined Insulated Gutter and KILON LEC Multiwall polycarbonate sheet

Living on Groundwater is a 25m² microhome designed as part of a broader hydrological system rather than as an isolated dwelling. Set within the agricultural fields of Punjab, India, one of the regions most affected by severe groundwater depletion, the project proposes a low-footprint, hydro-positive housing model in which residents become active agents in groundwater recharge. The compact home sits lightly above the fields, integrating rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling and an on-site injection well that returns treated water back to the aquifer. Spatially, the home is organised around a raised timber frame and a permeable facade system that mediates between interior domestic functions and the surrounding landscape. A lofted sleeping platform maximises usable floor area, while modular cabinetry and convertible work surfaces reinforce the unit’s efficiency. Prefabricated wall and roof assemblies streamline construction and allow for replicability across rural contexts. Through its integration of building systems, local ecology and long-term water management, the project reframes the microhome as infrastructure designed to repair the environmental conditions that support it.

“The proposal stands out for its clear environmental narrative, positioning the home not merely as a low-impact dwelling but as an active agent that recharges groundwater rather than only reducing consumption. The architectural concept is strong and cohesive, expressed through an elegant rural aesthetic that fits naturally within the Punjab agricultural landscape. Its construction logic is pragmatic, with a high degree of prefabrication and repeatability that supports real-world deployment. The link between the chosen site and the project’s mission is particularly compelling, directly addressing groundwater depletion in the very agricultural context most affected by it.” 

Sandra Del Bove (Buildner Guest Juror) - Head of Innovation, Kingspan Group