Premise
With rising sea levels and intensifying climate events, coastal populations worldwide face unprecedented displacement, creating a new generation of climate migrants. Traditional land-based refugee solutions are often temporary, resource-intensive, and fail to provide long-term dignity or stability. This competition challenges architects and designers to radically rethink humanitarian architecture by proposing a new paradigm: a buoyant, self-reliant community. The Floating Refugee Village is envisioned not as a temporary camp, but as a permanent, adaptable, and thriving habitat that harmonizes with its aquatic environment, offering a resilient future for those displaced by our changing planet.
Objective
The primary objective is to design a modular and scalable Floating Refugee Village prototype for approximately 1,000 residents. The proposal must be a fully integrated, self-sustaining ecosystem. Key design components must include residential modules, community spaces, educational and healthcare facilities, and areas for commerce. Central to the design is the integration of closed-loop systems, including renewable energy generation (solar, tidal, and/or wind), advanced hydroponic and aquaponic farms for food security, and innovative water desalination and waste management systems, creating a model for resilient off-grid living.
