According to the Economist's industry predictions for 2009, aquatecture (the design of floating structures atop platforms) will be the trend to watch in building and construction this year. The magazine cites the Netherlands as a particularly "water-saavy" nation, but we found an interesting example of aquatecture a little closer to home. The Floating House, designed by MOS Architecture, rides the waves of Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada...
The lake's water levels rise and fall from year to year, requiring a design that floats on top of a steel pontoon raft that automatically adjusts to changing water levels. The house and platform were constructed from prefab parts, assembled on land, then towed to the site and anchored in the water.
The advantages of a floating house include the ability to harness natural heating and cooling from the lake site due to water's vast capacity for absorbing energy. Aquatecture in general also has the potential to be less expensive (no high land payments), more portable, and presents a possible solution to rising sea levels caused by global warming. Drawbacks of aquatecture include practical problems such as sway induced by high waves, the fact that water homes don't have yards or gardens, and unanswered questions about the possibility of damaging environmental side affects.
More information about the Lake Huron Floating House and Aquatecture in general:
• MOS Architects
• Floating House / MOS on Arch Daily
• Beautiful Lake Huron Floating House by MOS on Inhabitat
• The World in 2009 from the Economist
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
What happens when the water freezes?
view baltimorerowhouse's profile
I don't know if I'd want to live there, but it's so beautiful and ethereal. Like a floating paper lantern.
view alisong's profile
When the water freezes you either pull it for the winter (at a nearby marina) or put a couple bubblers under it so thewater doesn't freeze. My family used to have a cottage up there and dealt with this in the winter.
view Chris - Annapolis's profile
It's amazing what people come up with. While it's not for me, it's a great idea and I'd be interested to hear from someone who actually lives in one.
Tabitha
http://www.fromsingletomarried.com
view Tabitha (From Single to Married)'s profile
"Drawbacks of aquatecture include practical problems such as sway induced by high waves, the fact that water homes don't have yards or gardens, and unanswered questions about the possibility of damaging environmental side affects."
Waves are hardly going to be an issue in a little protected inlet like this - not having a lawn to mow and fertilize is hardly a drawback (Notice that there is a yard - it's up there by the garage on dry land) - and as long as all the sewerage is piped up to land and dealt with responsibly and the occupants refrain from tossing their beercans, cigarette butts and old tires into the water, there should be minimal negative environmental impact.
view bepsf's profile
I've actually stayed at a floating house on Lake Travis near Austin, Texas. While not as "high design" as the house on Lake Huron, it was a fun place to stay.
http://www.vrbo.com/60070
view averillh1's profile
I think that the industry's trend to watch will be how little construction there will be. That said, this is a gorgeous little place. Very simple and Nordic.
view dn's profile
Chris - what is a bubbler? I'm curious how this works.
My parents have a cottage on Lake Huron and the ice can tear that are left in the water structures up..
view baltimorerowhouse's profile
For anyone who is interested in floating homes, I have a blog devoted to them: comingunmoored.com
(I should warn you that the one I own is far more modest than this gorgeous place.)
view unm00red's profile
Wow. Lovely site, lovely house.
I'd be curious how they get water and power to the building, and how, oh how, does the sewage get dealt with?
view rockypondgirl's profile