Student Award Winner: Amphibious Living Unit – Mekong Prototype

Author: Joseph Macglashan Iv Hill, University of Arkansas

Country: USA

Prize: €5,000

Kingspan Products: QuadCore LEC insulated wall panel, Slimline Rainwater Harvesting Tank, Multichannel LEC side rails

This amphibious microhome prototype proposes a circular, modular dwelling designed for communities along the Mekong Basin where seasonal flooding shapes daily life. The unit floats during high water and stabilises on a simple frame at low water, creating a resilient habitat that adapts to shifting conditions without relying on heavy infrastructure. A breathable bamboo facade, lightweight roof system and radial interior layout support natural ventilation, daylight and low-impact construction. Shared garden modules, bridging platforms and a flexible facade system extend the home into a larger aquatic network that supports food production and social life. The project foregrounds climate resilience through local materials, adaptable assemblies and an architectural language rooted in the rhythms of wetland ecologies.

“I participate in architecture competitions as an opportunity to learn, to identify meaningful problems and offer thoughtful, beautiful solutions. More than that, I’m curious about how my ideas can contribute to the broader architectural dialogue.”

Joseph Macglashan Iv Hill, University of Arkansas