Come at Us Floods: Houses of the Future Will Float
A recent article in The New York Times reported that “if global carbon emissions continue on current trends and sea levels are affected by climate changes much more than expected, about 2.6 percent of the global population (roughly 177 million people) will be living in a place at risk of regular flooding.” This statistic should catch your attention if you live by the coast. Torrential rainfall during UK’s rainy season last year led to floods that resulted in over $1.5 billion in damages, with over 5,800 properties affected by water damage and thousands of homes being evacuated. In response, British architects designed a buoyant home that floats when water levels rise.
London-based Baca Architects designed this amphibious house, named Formosa, for a couple who had been looking for a site to build a home on the flood-prone river island near Marlow in Buckinghamshire, England.
Made from lightweight timber, the three-story house sits on a floating concrete hull. Outfitted in zinc shingles and siding, this structure is independent of the house, complete with a waterproofed concrete foundation that wraps around the lower level.
The whole house will rise up like a boat, keeping the interior free from water damage. Four vertical guideposts (nicknamed “dolphins” by construction crew) allow the home to rise up in its dock when it needs to move, which can also be extended in the event of rising water levels.
The floating home features contemporary design, sustainable building materials and energy efficiency. Its panoramic windows overlook the Thames, and its gardens act as an early warning flood system with stacked terraces designed to alert homeowners in the event of water rising to dangerous levels.
Baca is finishing up construction on Formosa, slating to complete the job by mid-December — just in time for the UK’s rainy season.
What do you think about the Formosa Amphibious House? Let us know in the comments!
(h/t Dezeen)
