Skip to content
Architecture, urban planning and research in, on and next to water
+31 70 39 44 234     info@waterstudio.nl

Could you live in a floating neighbourhood?

By Better World Solutions

Koen Olthuis is the founder of the Dutch architectural firm Dutch Docklands, that specializes in floating structures to counter concerns and impact of floods due to climate change and rising sea levels.

Climate change and rising river/coast levels: forget houseboats, try floating communities. The newest trend in real estate: building a home on top the water.

 

Floating communities

During his UP presentation — A Sustainable Future on the Waterfront — Koen shared his vision for literally building entire communities — and cities — that float! He studied architecture and industrial design at the Delft University of Technology, and has a patent on the methodology for producing a “floating base.”

Olthuis

In 2007, Koen was listed as one of “the most influential people in the world” in a readers’ poll by TIME magazine due to the worldwide interest in water developments. The French magazine Terra Eco chose him as one of the “100 green persons that will change the world” in 2011.

Do you want more information or get inspired from different floating city concepts, check the sidebar on the right.

Click here for the source website

Click here for the pdf

Case galleggianti a energia solare pensate per resistere agli uragani

Greenbuilding Magazine
Powered by korakoll
2019.Oct.02

Lo studio di architettura olandese Waterstudio, in collaborazione con Arkup, di base invece a Miami, ha realizzato le prime case galleggianti capaci di resistere agli eventi meteorologici estremi. Chiamate dagli stessi progettisti e dall’architetto Koen Olthuis “yacht da vivere”, si tratta di edifici di alta gamma e di lusso pensati per essere ancorati in porti turistici o in baie silenziose in tutta sicurezza.

Con l’ausilio di pali idraulici, infatti, ognuna di queste case galleggianti viene fissata al fondale e può resistere ai venti tropicali e agli uragani. La struttura è pensata per essere energicamente autosufficiente grazie a un impianto fotovoltaico ed essere così scollegata dalla rete, mentre è dotata di sistemi in grado di gestire i rifiuti in maniera sostenibile, depurare le acque e raccogliere l’acqua piovana.

La casa, strutturata su due piani, è arredata con mobili di lusso realizzati con materie prime certificate ed è dotata di tecnologie all’avanguardia nella domotica, grazie alla collaborazione con l’azienda brasiliana Artefacto. Un soggiorno di 70 metri quadrati è affiancato da una cucina e una sala da pranzo, mentre al piano superiore si trova la camera da letto. Le porte scorrevoli in vetro, che conducono a una terrazza esterna, costituiscono quasi l’intera facciata anteriore e permettono di godere del paesaggio marino.

Click here for the pdf

Click here for the source website

 

Have a look inside one of our floating villas in Dordrecht

By Spruyt Waterwoningen Nederland BV
2019.Oct.01

This amazing, spacious designed Water villa on the “Dordtse Ruimte” at Dordrecht (The Netherlands) is equipped with vertical zinc elements. The zinc is combined with large aluminium window frames and vertical wooden cladding. The large window frames and wide terraces are positioned in a way to optimize the view on the surroundings.

The interior is characterized by a modern and clean finish with cast floor and steel doors.

 

This water villa is built by Spruyt Waterwoningen Nederland BV

The pictures are made by Udo Krekt Fotografie

Offshore architecture and marine urban sprawl

By Antony Funell
ABC Australia
2019.Oct.01

Koen Olthuis will be a keynote speaker at ABC Australia at the 6th of October.

Our oceans and coastlines are of increasing interest to architects and engineers. There’s a new emphasis on land reclamation and building floating structures for everything from accommodation to marine farming to energy generation. The Russians have even launched a floating nuclear reactor.

Re-defining the use of the ocean is part of the emerging “blue economy” – one that can be both economically beneficial and environmentally responsible. How well can these often contradictory goals be reconciled?

 

 

Guests

Brydon Wang – Technology researcher and construction lawyer, Queensland University of Technology

Dr Katherine Dafforn – Senior lecturer, Environmental Science, Macquarie University

Dr Darren Kundy – Interim CEO Blue Economy Cooperative Research Centre

Daniel Steadman – Marine Technical Specialist, Fauna and Flora International

Koen Olthuis – Architect, WaterStudio

 

Click here for the pdf

Click here for the source website

Arkup: villa galleggiante da 5 milioni di euro che naviga con il sole

By Gian Basilio Nieddu
Vaielettrico
2019.sept.12

Arkup una casa che galleggia, una barca dove si può abitare. Costa 5 milioni di euro, resiste alla condizioni climatiche estreme, gli uragani, ed è il frutto  della matita dello studio di architettura Waterstudio.

Nelle cronache giornalistiche si fa il pieno di storie di persone che vogliono vivere in barca. Uno scenario, seppure soft, da Waterworld. Una soluzione, destinata a pochi e danarosi, è stata concepita da un team di architetti olandesi. La prima unità prodotta è stata ormeggiata a Miami, dove abbondano i milionari.

Classificata come barca da diporto

Barca o casa? Lasciamo parlare il manager Nicolas Derouin, protagonista del progetto con il partner Arnaud Luguet:”È classificata come una barca da diporto, quindi legalmente è una barca, ma è abitabile come una casa“. Il progetto è legato all’esigenza di vivere respirando aria di mare, un sogno che deve fare i conti con il sempre minor spazio costiero disponibile ed il rischio dell’innalzamento delle acque quindi la flessibilità di poter “traslocare”.

Arkup: villa da 405 metri quadri 

La coppia ha poi cercato Koen Olthuis, dello studio Waterstudio, specializzato nel rendere “abitabile l’acqua”. Il frutto è Arkup ovvero la vita a bordo da cinque stelle. Parlano i numeri: una villa di 405 metri quadri (195 esterni) con interni di design.

Motore elettrico alimentato dal sole

Arkup naviga con un motore elettrico alimentato da energia solare. Si può navigare lungo la costa, nel lago  e nel fiume.  “pannelli solari producono l’energia poi immagazzinata nelle batterie al litio. Un trasformatore la converte e fornisce così l’energia per la casa e per la propulsione”. Sul tema i progettisti sottolineano: “Il solare è il futuro delle fonti energetiche e dei trasporti e volevamo che la casa fosse autosufficiente”. E si  raccoglie anche l’acqua piovana.

Arkup costa 5 milioni di euro

I nostri clienti possono vivere in luoghi unici a un prezzo accessibile rispetto a una casa sulla terra. Offriamo un sogno“. Questo è lo storytelling del progetto narrato da Derouin. Il profilo del cliente di Arkup, necessariamente con un buon conto in banca visto che il prezzo parte da 4.850.000 euro, è questo:”Alto potere d’acquisto, preoccupato per le questioni ambientali e alla ricerca di un modo diverso di vivere, in connessione con la natura”.

Ancorata al fondo con 4 trampoli

Interessante la soluzione ingegneristica: “La casa è costruita su una chiatta piatta in acciaio e quattro trampoli idraulici indipendenti ancorati al fondo del mare“. I creatori avvertono che la profondità massima è di 7,62 metri. La misura che garantisce stabilità e “sicurezza in caso di onde, vento, maree”. La barca costruita a Miami – in calcestruzzo nel cantiere RMK Merrill-Stevens – è progettata per resistere ad uragani fino alla categoria 4.

Arkup ha un’autonomia da 4 ore

I pilastri della casa “si ritraggono durante la navigazione“, spiega Derouin, che, a seconda delle condizioni del mare e del tempo, stima l’autonomia della barca in quattro ore. I benefici dell’elettrico li abbiamo sottolineati più volte su Vai Elettrico, li ascoltiamo anche dal CEO di Arkup: “La propulsione elettrica genera zero rumore, vibrazioni, fumo e perdite di carburante. Rispetta la vita marina“.

Da Miami a Cancun 

Impossibile la navigazione in mare aperto, ma con una velocità massima di sette nodi: “Potresti navigare ogni giorno lungo la costa e raggiungere Cancun da Miami“. Un test da fare.  Come strategia di marketing si punta sul noleggio “a partire da 5300 euro a notte per far comprendere al cliente tutte le potenzialità della barca/casa”. In questa visione mobile si fa concorrenza agli eco resort, quelli ad esempio delle Maldive e Bora-Bora, che non si possono spostare: “Generiamo l’ elettricità e l’acqua, compattiamo la spazzatura … È elettrica, non interferisce nella vita marina. E se si avvicina una tempesta, il proprietario può portarla in un’area protetta”. La sfida però è trovare soluzioni più popolari, houseboat a costo minore.

Click here for the website

Click here for the pdf

Case galleggianti ecologiche – resistere agli uragani

By Donnecultura
2019.August.25

Koen Olthuis – “yact da vivere”

Le prime case galleggiati per esistere agli eventi meteorologici estremi

Le ha progettate lo studio di architettura olandese Waterstudio in collaborazione con Arkup, con sede a Miami.

Sono edifici che si possono ancorare nei porti o in baie silenziose, in tutta sicurezza e con tutti i confort del lusso.

Si tratta di strutture energicamente autosufficienti; grazie all’impianto fotovoltaico e in grado di gestire i rifiuti in modo sostenibile. In questi edifici, si raccoglie l’acqua piovana e si depura.

Più case che barche, a due piani, con mobili  di lusso; creati con materie prime certificate e con la tecnologia della domotica in  tutta l’abitazione.

Il soggiorno è di settanta mq. ed è affiancato da una sala da pranzo e da una cucina.

L’intera facciata anteriore è in vetro e da su di una terrazza esterna; non manca nulla.

Con pali idraulici, le case sono fissate  al fondale e resistono ai venti tropicali più violenti, uragani compresi.

Click here for the website

Click here for the pdf

Waterstudio.nl - Blue Habitats

Drijvende eilanden in Tongelreep Eindhoven om waterkwaliteit te verbeteren

Sinds vorige week liggen er vijf pontons in de Tongelreep in Eindhoven. Deze drijvende eilanden moeten een schuilplaats vormen voor vissen en onderwaterinsecten. Een grotere diversiteit aan onderwaterleven draagt bij aan de verbetering van de waterkwaliteit van de Tongelreep en uiteindelijk de Dommel.

Proef

De drijvende pontons liggen in de Tongelreep bij het prehistorisch dorp in Eindhoven. Ze blijven als proef maximaal twee jaar in het water liggen. Onderaan de pontons zitten lamellen van verschillende materialen; wilgentenen, betonstaal, bamboe en kokosmat. Deze lamellen bieden een schuilplaats, een habitat voor het onderwaterleven. De bovenkant van de drijvende blokken is beplant met bloemen en planten. De drijvende constructie komt ongeveer zestig centimeter boven het water uit.

Monitoren

Met behulp van een onderwatercamera onder de constructie en monstername met de boot monitort Waterschap De Dommel de proef. Door dit frequent te doen, wordt duidelijk welke vissen en onderwaterinsecten op welk materiaal gaan vestigen. Door op een andere plek in het water een referentiemonster te nemen, kunnen we zien of de onderwaterconstructies ook daadwerkelijk andere soorten aantrekken.

Leefruimte onder water compenseren

Er wordt steeds meer gebouwd op water; steigers, woningen, zelfs hele wijken. Hierdoor verdwijnt er leefruimte voor onderwaterleven. Het idee van de drijvende eilanden komt van Blue Habitats in samen werking met Waterstudio. Met een duurzame constructie onder water willen zij het verlies aan leefruimte compenseren.

Het waterschap De Dommel wil het creëren van onderwater habitats inzetten waar een natuurlijk habitat ontbreekt. Vissen gebruiken natuurlijke materialen om onder te schuilen en hun eieren op af te zetten. Met name in een stedelijke omgeving zonder natuurlijk vriendelijke oevers en zonder ruimte voor takken, wortels of omgevallen bomen kunnen de drijvende eilanden uitkomst bieden en zorgen voor een groeiende biodiversiteit.

Click here for the pdf

Click here for the website

click here for the project

Koen Olthuis as Keynote speaker at the 1st symposium of design for living with water

“A drop of water,
if it could write out its own history,
would explain the universe to us.”
Lucy Larcom

Water is the main life source for human being starting from birth. Throughout the history this vital element effected every field of life as well as the discipline of architecture and design, which have the mission to create comfortable and livable spaces for human. It is observed that apart from alternative living spaces to terrestrial architecture in traditional forms, during the recent years, the studies which include the analysis as to space hotels, floating spaces and effects of spatial characteristics of pole stations on the users have increased. One of the reasons for this, is that people’s need for alternative living spaces and resources has come up. The association of the concept of human-space-water is being considered together more frequent day by day.

In Recent years there is a growing focus on living with water due to the extreme climate changes, rising density, economical trends and sustainability problems. Scientist and futurists from all over the world are indicating the solutions for living with water and predict that the relationship between human and water will increase. Not only the countries which have the risk of flood, or rising sea levels, but also the other countries which has the probability of effecting by the climate changes are taking into consideration water based solutions. Also the flow of the capital and changing human life style requirements show us the water as an alternative living space.

Although the concept of living with water seems revolutionary the human relation with water is not a new trend. In the scope of this symposium, different integration types of water to spaces from the vernacular models to floating homes wil be discussed. As a respond to the world’s sustainability problems, from both economical, socio – cultural and also the ecological, we need to understand the importance of living with water. As the designers and engineers of the “climate change generation” we have the responsility to look at the past, present and the future and ask the opportunities of water that we could apply, inform and transform to our designs.

We invite designers, architects, engineers, sociologists, students and everyone who feel the need creating solutions sensitive to climate change and for sustainable future of the world on particulary design with water.

 

Koen Olthuis was one of the Keynote speakers of this 1st symposium hosted in Istanbul.

Click here for the website

Architects look to floating cities as sea levels rise

By Edwin Heathcote
Financial Times
2019.june.5

Some argue that waterborne homes — and stadiums — could be a response to climate concerns

New York, London, Shanghai, Jakarta, Manila, Houston, Miami, Rio de Janeiro — all these cities and more are threatened by potential rises in sea level from climate change. Without dramatic action, in a century or less some of the world’s most expensive real estate could be under water. So it is unsurprising that architects and engineers are looking seriously at a future of floating cities. As often with water engineering, the Dutch are at the forefront. Living in a country which owes its existence to the struggle to find equilibrium with the sea, they are the pioneers of a small but increasingly important-looking architectural future. A short tram ride from central Amsterdam is IJburg, a well-planned suburb of decent housing and wide roads built on reclaimed land. At its edges the streets dissolve into jetties and houses sit on the water. One of the first large floating suburbs, it is an enticing vision of water living, with houses on concrete rafts and ducks swimming between. These are well-designed and built homes for city workers priced out of the centre of a city affected by gentrification, tourism and Airbnb-style rentals. Some houses are minimally modernist, others quirkily eccentric. Some look like suburban cottages on water, others like streamlined nautical hybrids, ready to sail away. One neighbourhood, Steigereiland, was built by architects Marlies Rohmer, an elegant Bauhaus dream of white walls, flat roofs, steel and glass. Could this be the future? Architect Koen Olthuis (“the Floating Dutchman”) has been at the forefront of floating design. “We love the water in Holland and we need to learn to see it as a tool,” he says. “I’ve seen floating architecture go from freak architecture to a real proposition. A hundred years ago the invention of the elevator allowed us to build vertically; now we need to understand water as an extra dimension for cities.” Mr Olthuis, whose Waterstudio practice has designed and built more than 200 floating buildings and who has plans for everything from entire cities to a football stadium, calls the floating metropolis a “blue city” and sees a four-stage process in its development. “They start in the city,” he says, “on the waterfront, where there is an established real estate market. Then they go into the sea but are still connected to the land via their energy and sewerage et cetera — which is an alternative to expensive land reclamation. The third phase is going into the sea, 1km into the water, but still connected, and the fourth is the self-supporting city in the sea with all its energy generated in the ocean.” What is the point of that? “I don’t know,” he laughs, “but rich people love the idea — an unregulated haven!” “We have 2bn people threatened by floods, these problems are in the cities right now.” Is this really a realistic solution to problems of urban overcrowding and resilience? “The big guys [the ‘starchitects’] are now showing idealistic cities in the ocean.” These are fantasies, he says, “but we have to group together as architects to make realistic proposals”. Mr Olthuis also worked on the Arkup, a “liveable yacht” launched last year in Miami. A luxury house with hydraulic legs which can be lowered to the seabed, it has solar power, desalination and a motor. He is also working on structures for the world’s slums, building a mobile platform in Bangladesh which uses waste plastic bottles for buoyancy. These will house toilets, internet stations, communal kitchens and other facilities. Floating architecture’s recent history has not all been plain sailing. Nigerian architect Kunlé Adeyemi designed the Makoko floating school for a Lagos slum. It looked like the perfect project — worthy, elegant and innovative — but it was destroyed by a storm. The idea of a mobile floating architecture is among the more promising futures. Mr Olthuis has even designed a sports stadium. “A football stadium could be leased by a city,” he says. “Why spend all that money? Rent it, like a car.” Architect Alex de Rijke also raises flexibility. “Cities have master plans but plans change and one of their failures is their inability to adapt,” he says. “A floating city could be endlessly reconfigured.” His practice dRMM’s plans for a “Floatopolis” in London’s Docklands show a city of multistorey structures. It went from research project to possible commission but was not built. “The world’s cities are full of post-industrial waterfronts,” Mr de Rijke says. “We were looking at how you create a community, with schools, shops and most importantly density. “We have overpriced land in London, a restrictive planning system and the paradox of a low-density city.” The floating city idea, says Mr de Rijke, goes in a cycle of fashion, “like the tide coming in and going out”. It is a relatively expensive way to build, with prefabricated concrete rafts and high-specification components. But in big cities or densely populated countries such as the Netherlands or UK, where land is expensive, it can be an economical solution. As the technologies become more mainstream, costs will fall. Of course, city centre waterways are a finite resource — but they may be becoming much less finite soon. The tide is coming in.

 

Click here for the pdf

Click here for the source website

Back To Top
Search