Bubble Flex: From Forest Retreat to City Hub

FINALIST of Nomad Habitats

+ FINALIST

Nomad Habitats

[1613]

Bubble Flex

Team

Name: Maple Lin

Instagram: mapleaf0_0

Nationality: American

Institution / Company: Foster + Partners

Name: Miao Wang

Instagram: miaowang4343

Nationality: Chinese

Institution / Company: Gensler

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This proposal is a reaction to a modern economic challenge – the decay of city. Post-pandemic lifestyle has led to a decrease in population in city and emptied retail spaces. A modular living unit is designed to be adaptable for various settings – from the nature to the city center.

Imagine waking up surrounded by the whisper of trees, your living room an inflatable bubble seamlessly blending with the forest. By evening, you’re in the heart of the city, with your modular habitat transformed into an arts market in a repurposed parking lot. 

This nomad habitat is made of modular units with double-layered panels, where an inflatable bubble system expands or contracts the living space as needed. In nature, the inflatable spaces become cozy living rooms, while in the city, they shift into exhibition halls or retail pop-ups. The system adapts to any environment, stretching to house a family or condensing into a solo retreat, prioritizing experiences over possessions.

Its integration of technology—lightweight, flexible materials and smart, inflatable structures—keeps it portable yet robust. This habitat offers a way to live lighter on the planet while exploring it in a deeper, richer way.

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