Floating House is a novel new home, designed by UK-based Carl Turner Architects, that is designed to tackle flooding while making use of new building space on underused waterways. The architects will make the blueprints for the home available for free download via Paperhouses, an open source architecture project. This will enable anyone to construct their own Floating House or hire someone to build it for them.
The Floating House is designed to rest on a buoyant concrete hull, allowing it to float on the water like a houseboat. If located on a flood-plain, it can rest atop stilts or indeed on a thick, non-floating, flood-resistant concrete base.
The house's exterior will be fitted with semi-translucent solar panels, while the roof will be outfitted with a rainwater-harvesting tank.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Open Source Architecture
- The availability of blueprints for the Floating House via Paperhouses presents an opportunity for disruption in the architecture industry by empowering individuals and promoting more affordable and sustainable housing options.
- Floating Structures
- The Floating House's unique design presents an opportunity for disruption in the construction industry, specifically in developing innovative materials and technologies for sustainable and resilient floating structures.
- Climate Resilient Housing
- The Floating House's ability to tackle flooding presents an opportunity for disruption in the housing industry by promoting the development of sustainable and affordable housing options that are resilient to climate change impacts such as flooding and sea level rise.
Where This Applies
- Architecture
- The availability of the blueprints of the Floating House via Paperhouses presents an opportunity for the architecture industry to embrace the concept of open source architecture and contribute to the development of more sustainable and affordable housing options.
- Construction
- The Floating House's unique design and use of novel materials and technologies presents an opportunity for the construction industry to develop and improve sustainable and resilient floating structures, addressing climate change impacts such as flooding and sea level rise.
- Renewable Energy
- The Floating House's incorporation of semi-translucent solar panels and rainwater harvesting tank presents an opportunity for the renewable energy industry to innovate and develop new technologies for sustainable building solutions.
