MCROH
Microgrove
Aquatic Microhome Community

Microgrove

A new habitat is forming in Miami’s Biscayne Bay, merging architecture with ecology and redefining shelter as infrastructure. Expanding the mission of the local Biscayne National Park Institute, MICROGROVE is a living research community designed for scientists, ecologists, researchers, and eco-tourists, dedicated to the study, restoration, and increased social awareness of coastal ecosystems.

This microhome community does not just exist in the bay—it functions like the bay. Each microhome, 3D-printed with organic, nature-inspired concrete forms, mimics the structural intelligence of local mangrove roots, standing resilient against tides and storm surges while providing shelter for both human and non-human inhabitants of the bay. Equipped with self-sustaining energy systems, including solar power and integrated water management, MICROGROVE functions as a shared living framework within Biscayne Bay.

Attached to the MICROGROVE community, aquatic permaculture structures are maintained and observed to support research and provide food for manatees, fish, and other marine species. This effort fosters a symbiotic relationship between architectureand the bay’s existing inhabitants.

Rather than imposing a static human development, MICROGROVE is an adaptive, breathing organism—a vision for a coastal community that regenerates its own future—a place where design is not an intrusion, but an extension of nature’s intelligence—a prototype for living architecture in a world where climate and urbanism must no longer be at odds.

Aquatic Microhome Community

PROGRAM: Microhome Ecological Research Community

CONTEXT: Miami, Florida, USA

SITE: Biscayne Bay National Park

TEAM: Bryan Maddock, Grace Infante

ORGANIZER: Buildner

YEAR:
2025
AWARDS:

Honorable Mention

NEWS:
Section drawing of an individual MICROGROVE 3D printed housing unit for use in Miami’s Biscayne BaySection drawing of an individual MICROGROVE 3D printed housing unit for use in Miami’s Biscayne BaySection drawing of an individual MICROGROVE 3D printed housing unit for use in Miami’s Biscayne BaySection drawing of an individual MICROGROVE 3D printed housing unit for use in Miami’s Biscayne Bay

Emphasizing aquatic architectural details, MICROGROVE integrates water-resistant materials, ensuring longevity in a brackish, tidal environment. Porous gangways allow water and light to pass through, reducing impact on marine ecosystems while providing safe elevated access. Storage spaces and building systems are integrated under the deck of the cabin (the hull) and in the thickened dome ceiling space above the kitchen. The doors, windows, structure, and machinery are inspired by the forms of aquatic vessels, referencing submarine doors, portholes, deck planks, ship netting, and sail rigging.

Section drawing of an individual MICROGROVE 3D printed housing unit for use in Miami’s Biscayne Bay
Section drawing of an individual MICROGROVE 3D printed housing unit for use in Miami’s Biscayne Bay

PROJECT IMAGES

Axonometric diagram of the various components of the MICROGROVE 3D printed house unit with attached gangway and interiorAxonometric diagram of the various components of the MICROGROVE 3D printed house unit with attached gangway and interiorAxonometric diagram of the various components of the MICROGROVE 3D printed house unit with attached gangway and interiorAxonometric diagram of the various components of the MICROGROVE 3D printed house unit with attached gangway and interior
Upper perspective showing residents and researchers walking on the gangway paths attached to the 3D printed concrete homesUpper perspective showing residents and researchers walking on the gangway paths attached to the 3D printed concrete homesUpper perspective showing residents and researchers walking on the gangway paths attached to the 3D printed concrete homesUpper perspective showing residents and researchers walking on the gangway paths attached to the 3D printed concrete homes
Perspective of the Crow’s Nest reflection and resting zone of the 3D printed microhome in MiamiPerspective of the Crow’s Nest reflection and resting zone of the 3D printed microhome in MiamiPerspective of the Crow’s Nest reflection and resting zone of the 3D printed microhome in MiamiPerspective of the Crow’s Nest reflection and resting zone of the 3D printed microhome in Miami
Sunset perspective from the upper balcony of the 3D printed Miami home on Biscayne BaySunset perspective from the upper balcony of the 3D printed Miami home on Biscayne BaySunset perspective from the upper balcony of the 3D printed Miami home on Biscayne BaySunset perspective from the upper balcony of the 3D printed Miami home on Biscayne Bay
Section drawing of an individual MICROGROVE 3D printed housing unit for use in Miami’s Biscayne BaySection drawing of an individual MICROGROVE 3D printed housing unit for use in Miami’s Biscayne BaySection drawing of an individual MICROGROVE 3D printed housing unit for use in Miami’s Biscayne BaySection drawing of an individual MICROGROVE 3D printed housing unit for use in Miami’s Biscayne Bay
Perspective of the journey to the 3D printed housing community over the Biscayne Bay watersPerspective of the journey to the 3D printed housing community over the Biscayne Bay watersPerspective of the journey to the 3D printed housing community over the Biscayne Bay watersPerspective of the journey to the 3D printed housing community over the Biscayne Bay waters
Aerial perspective of the clustered MICROGROVE 3D printed house layout connecting units side by side with gangwaysAerial perspective of the clustered MICROGROVE 3D printed house layout connecting units side by side with gangwaysAerial perspective of the clustered MICROGROVE 3D printed house layout connecting units side by side with gangwaysAerial perspective of the clustered MICROGROVE 3D printed house layout connecting units side by side with gangways
Sunset elevation of the local Biscayne Bay wildlife and the ongoing construction of the 3D printed housing communitySunset elevation of the local Biscayne Bay wildlife and the ongoing construction of the 3D printed housing communitySunset elevation of the local Biscayne Bay wildlife and the ongoing construction of the 3D printed housing communitySunset elevation of the local Biscayne Bay wildlife and the ongoing construction of the 3D printed housing community
Plan drawing of the private Crow’s Nest sleeping and meditation room at the top of the MICROGROVE 3D printed homePlan drawing of the private Crow’s Nest sleeping and meditation room at the top of the MICROGROVE 3D printed homePlan drawing of the private Crow’s Nest sleeping and meditation room at the top of the MICROGROVE 3D printed homePlan drawing of the private Crow’s Nest sleeping and meditation room at the top of the MICROGROVE 3D printed home
Underwater perspective of divers enjoying and researching the local ecology of Biscayne Bay below the aquatic permacultureUnderwater perspective of divers enjoying and researching the local ecology of Biscayne Bay below the aquatic permacultureUnderwater perspective of divers enjoying and researching the local ecology of Biscayne Bay below the aquatic permacultureUnderwater perspective of divers enjoying and researching the local ecology of Biscayne Bay below the aquatic permaculture
Perspective of researchers studying the permaculture aquatic plants and algae growth farming integratedPerspective of researchers studying the permaculture aquatic plants and algae growth farming integratedPerspective of researchers studying the permaculture aquatic plants and algae growth farming integratedPerspective of researchers studying the permaculture aquatic plants and algae growth farming integrated
Interior view of a woman reading a book in the lounge of the 3D printed MICROGROVE home with a net lounge aboveInterior view of a woman reading a book in the lounge of the 3D printed MICROGROVE home with a net lounge aboveInterior view of a woman reading a book in the lounge of the 3D printed MICROGROVE home with a net lounge aboveInterior view of a woman reading a book in the lounge of the 3D printed MICROGROVE home with a net lounge above
Combination section and plan drawings of the MICROGROVE 3D printed housing community in MiamiCombination section and plan drawings of the MICROGROVE 3D printed housing community in MiamiCombination section and plan drawings of the MICROGROVE 3D printed housing community in MiamiCombination section and plan drawings of the MICROGROVE 3D printed housing community in Miami
Diagram showing the construction methods and components within the MICROGROVE housing system of 3D printing aquatic homesDiagram showing the construction methods and components within the MICROGROVE housing system of 3D printing aquatic homesDiagram showing the construction methods and components within the MICROGROVE housing system of 3D printing aquatic homesDiagram showing the construction methods and components within the MICROGROVE housing system of 3D printing aquatic homes
Plan drawings of the dock, permaculture, and gangway system for the MICROGROVE 3D printed housing community in MiamiPlan drawings of the dock, permaculture, and gangway system for the MICROGROVE 3D printed housing community in MiamiPlan drawings of the dock, permaculture, and gangway system for the MICROGROVE 3D printed housing community in MiamiPlan drawings of the dock, permaculture, and gangway system for the MICROGROVE 3D printed housing community in Miami
Site plan showing the MICROGROVE 3D printed housing community off-shore within the Biscayne Bay National ParkSite plan showing the MICROGROVE 3D printed housing community off-shore within the Biscayne Bay National ParkSite plan showing the MICROGROVE 3D printed housing community off-shore within the Biscayne Bay National ParkSite plan showing the MICROGROVE 3D printed housing community off-shore within the Biscayne Bay National Park
Perspective of the MICROGROVE 3D printed Biscayne Bay housing and research community with ongoing construction and wildlifePerspective of the MICROGROVE 3D printed Biscayne Bay housing and research community with ongoing construction and wildlifePerspective of the MICROGROVE 3D printed Biscayne Bay housing and research community with ongoing construction and wildlifePerspective of the MICROGROVE 3D printed Biscayne Bay housing and research community with ongoing construction and wildlife
Botanical concept sketch of a typical mangrove plant with roots below the water and thin structure rising aboveBotanical concept sketch of a typical mangrove plant with roots below the water and thin structure rising aboveBotanical concept sketch of a typical mangrove plant with roots below the water and thin structure rising aboveBotanical concept sketch of a typical mangrove plant with roots below the water and thin structure rising above
Interior perspective of a man cooking in the MICROGROVE 3D printed home with built in cabinetry and woodworkInterior perspective of a man cooking in the MICROGROVE 3D printed home with built in cabinetry and woodworkInterior perspective of a man cooking in the MICROGROVE 3D printed home with built in cabinetry and woodworkInterior perspective of a man cooking in the MICROGROVE 3D printed home with built in cabinetry and woodwork
Plan drawing of the cabin spaces of the MICROGROVE 3D printed house combining the lounge and galley kitchen/bathPlan drawing of the cabin spaces of the MICROGROVE 3D printed house combining the lounge and galley kitchen/bathPlan drawing of the cabin spaces of the MICROGROVE 3D printed house combining the lounge and galley kitchen/bathPlan drawing of the cabin spaces of the MICROGROVE 3D printed house combining the lounge and galley kitchen/bath

MORE PROJECTS

Seating design is vital in fostering communal interactions in shared spaces. Rooted in the organic growth principles of the Metabolist movement and the transformational geometric language of digital Metaballs, Meta-Bench forms an experiential seating system which individuals can move and adjust.
Framework: Inverted Square Pyramid (FW:ISP) reimagines the traditional pyramid by flipping it upside down, shifting its focus from the cosmos to the people. The structure’s apexes become seating points within a flexible, interactive framework that encourages public engagement and play.
The Urban Test Object (UTO) serves as a large-scale intervention that accelerates our relationship with the future city. Rather than solving issues like density, infrastructure, or access, the UTO heightens awareness of the rapid urban transformations shaping our future.
Seeing Park Avenue as an underutilized zone that connects four vibrant neighborhoods from 42nd Street to 144th Street, Infrastructural Infill is a study testing the potential to locate a combination of mixed-use housing and transportation in the residual spaces caused by urban infrastructure.
QTCT is tasked to blend these two identities onto one site—a give and take relationship between beach ambitions and urban necessities. QTCT is a sampling of two worlds: on one hand it is the embodiment of the language of the beach and on the other it is a detailed and exacting built urban space.
The CART live/work housing prototype adds a vertical profile to downtown while converting an underutilized public path into an urban gesture by introducing of a specialized food cart zone in New Haven. The CART residents would rent and appropriate the moving space as a means of expanding their zone.
The YELE music studio competition, underway before the earthquake, must respond now, but plan for the future of the community. Music is relief in a time of tragedy. The goal is to meet the most basic survival needs now while leaving spaces for future growth through self sustaining phases.
In Tempe there are two pedestrian axes: Mill Avenue and Palm Walk. Mill Avenue is successful and Palm Walk is not. Is there a way to make the palm trees useful to the students? The PEP structure is powered by buried hydraulic pressure systems giving vertical movement to the layer/palm interface.