DESIGN CONCEPT

In 2023, the communities from the Amazon Basin suffered from a severe drought that dropped water levels to the lowest recorded levels. This event led to immense struggles for the Ribeirinhos, which traditionally inhabit the shores of the rivers in the Amazon Basin. The lack of fresh water and food, due to the loss of water access (for consumption, fishing, and transport), pushed Ribeirinho families and the diverse species that depend on the river to seek means to survive in the dried rivers and neighboring locations. To face this climate challenge, Microhome(s) is designed to provide adaptation capacity for the traditional inhabitants of the river shores in extreme drought events. While the Ribeirinhos are traditionally off-grid and adapted to flooding conditions, their communities depend on river water for their safety. In that regard, Microhome(s) operates as a modular off-grid infrastructure, providing water and food during droughts for the existing Ribeirinho floating and stilt houses, part of the Amazon’s culture. Moreover, it provides shelter and water access to aerial, aquatic, and terrestrial life that seeks refuge amidst the intense heat.