Since the 1960s, architects from Archigram to the Japanese Metabolists have spent time wondering what living on water could look like. Their utopian proposals have yet to become a reality, however.
But one experimental project, called Buoyant Ecologies, is trying to change that. Read on to learn more about how their new buildings are being built for climate adaptation and sustainability.
1. Cork
Traditionally relegated to wine bottles and pushpins suspending pictures, cork is poised to enter the building industry. Not only is this insulating material environmentally friendly, but it can also be used to reduce the energy needs of a structure by absorbing heat and dampening sound.
The Float by Rotterdam-based Studio RAP is a sustainable floating home built using timber and solid cork. Located along the picturesque canals of Leiden, the simple construction approach is enhanced by various attractive additions, including a folded facade.
Cork cladding is a key element of the design that blends the house with its surrounding greenery. A layer of low-density cork is bonded to the CLT structure, while a high-density cork is inserted on top to boost insulation. The bespoke windows are made with cork that has been digitally designed and CNC cut.
This all-digital process enables the optimization of the structural design and the production of detailed components. Moreover, it reduces waste and ensures that the design is accurate even before construction starts. This results in a significant reduction of the construction time, a major benefit for this type of floating buildings that cannot be easily relocated.
2. Wood
Wood is one of the most common materials in floating architecture, with a history that goes back centuries. Its durability, strength, insulating properties and innate beauty make it an attractive choice for a variety of architectural designs. Moreover, the sustainable extraction and careful processing of this material result in top quality.
One of the most recent examples is Schoonschip, a residential floating neighbourhood in Amsterdam designed by Space&Matter. This community-driven project, which consists of 46 water plots connected by a jetty, features decentralized and sustainable energy, water and waste systems.
Floating buildings are becoming increasingly popular worldwide, as people seek out independence and security from the ever-increasing risks of climate change. They also offer a viable alternative to high-density urban living and reduce the rate of deforestation. They are often cheaper than traditional building materials, and their construction process takes half as long. Furthermore, they are flexible and can be moved to a new location on the same body of water at any time. This makes them a promising solution for coastal regions in danger of rising sea levels.
3. Steel
With global warming and overpopulation on the rise, it’s no wonder that architects are turning to floating architecture as a solution. These projects use tried-and-true technology adapted from marine applications, but they also reimagine the relationship between architecture and water.
Steel is a strong, versatile construction material. It’s an alloy of iron and carbon, but it can be further enhanced with other elements, such as manganese, silicon, chromium, phosphorus, and molydenum, to make it stronger and more durable.
Unlike aluminum, which is a single metal element, steel has a higher strength-to-weight ratio. Xometry is proud to partner with the finest metal fabrication companies in the business, who provide us with the highest quality steel for our prototyping and production needs.
One example of how a floating architecture project uses steel is the Valby Machinery Hall, an old industrial building that was converted into multi-housing units. Here, red-lead steel grating clads the facades and reimagines the rhythmic cadence of the original building. It also serves as a structural component for the external balconies. The result is a building that’s as functional as it is beautiful.
4. Glass
The adage that nothing can withstand the force of water is being turned on its head with the construction of buildings that are encased in soaring walls of curved glass. From Weiss/Manfredi’s elliptical Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale to the flower-shaped 185 floating villas that will comprise Dutch Docklands’ new development in the Maldives, large-scale curved structural glass is increasingly being used as an expressive façade material.
Curved glass is fabricated using several different methods. Depending on the intended aesthetic, a combination of gravity bending, heat-treated bending and cold bending may be required. High-performance coated glass products can withstand these bending processes while maintaining their optical clarity and durability.
Building on waterways and flood-prone sites might seem like a foolhardy approach at first, but architects have discovered that working with the fluid environment is more than just an exercise in engineering: it’s a way to tackle climate change. Waterborne architecture offers a viable response to the threat of rising sea levels and provides much-needed space for urban growth. It also encourages the use of renewable sea energy resources and can help reduce the ecological footprint of a city.
5. Aluminum
Although it may have been most widely recognized for its role in soda cans, aluminum has long been used in architecture, including roofing, flashing and wall panels. Its lightweight and strong properties make it an ideal choice for buildings that will stand up to harsh weather conditions like hurricanes and tornadoes. In fact, it has been used for more than 50 years in building construction as a cost-effective alternative to copper in electrical wiring.
A team led by researchers at the Southern Federal University in Rostov-on Don, Russia discovered a way to make crystalline aluminum float on water. They achieved this by separating the material into parallel surfaces that are treated with a special coating that makes them super-hydrophobic. This allows the structures to adsorb and retain air, which reduces their weight above the waterline.
These structures have the potential to solve many environmental problems, from rising sea levels to a lack of available land for development and housing. In addition, they are environmentally friendly and can offer a new way to interact with nature.