The Possibilities and Advantages of Building Floating Constructions

Dynamics in the vertical plane

Water storage is not static. Depending on weather, season or extreme water fluctuations, the storage system will have to accommodate smaller or larger amounts of water.  In the vertical plane, the dynamic neighborhood is designed to cope with fluctuations of the water level.  These fluctuations are caused by either natural circumstances, such as excess rainfall, or water being deliberately pumped into the watercell from other districts when the water levels are high.  The different fluctuations obviously result in their own fluctuation domains. This means that during a rise of 5 centimeters a smaller area will be flooded than during a 50-cm rise of the water level. The frequency of the fluctuation influences the choice of the dwelling.  A floating dwelling constantly needs water, whereas a terp dwelling is suitable for a fluctuation of 50 centimeters occurring once every 10 years.

Dynamics in the horizontal plane

Floating constructions also allow functions to be moved. In Delft this already happens in the form of floating terraces, providing additional space for restaurants near the canal side.  During summer these terraces are towed into the city, and then removed after the end of the season. In addition to catering or recreational functions, a mobile floating infrastructure provides space for other common public or temporary functions such as schools, parking facilities, building utilities, sales offices and shops. The use of these functions is dependent on demographics and culturally determined demands and wishes of the users. Experience teaches us that both the cultural as well as the demographic composition of neighborhoods change during decennia. A traditionally built neighborhood on land responds to this by demolition, renovation and restructuring. As a result of the relatively easy possibilities of disconnecting floating constructions from their locations, extra possibilities emerge to cope with both these predictable as well as unpredictable changes in the neighborhood by building on water.

Advantages

During construction the building location can float along with the growing water district. A primary school can be replaced by a high school in case pupil numbers are insufficient, relocating the primary school within the urban configuration. Floating roads can provide temporary access over the water during construction or maintenance in a neighborhood. Shopping malls can either grown and regroup or be moved to new locations. This means an unheard-of flexibility, which would be much more difficult to achieve on land.

Conclusion

Space for water and space for living can be perfectly combined. Because of vertical and horizontal freedom the spatial experience in the water-based neighborhoods will stay dynamic. Terms such as "real estate" and "movable property," however, will acquire a completely new meaning.

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About this Week's Guest Blogger:

BIO: ir J.K. Olthuis
Koen Olthuis studied architecture and industrial design at the Delft University of Technology. He is the founder of the Dutch architectural firm Waterstudio.NL that specializes in floating structures to counter concerns of floods, which are both a local concern (one-third of the Netherlands is reclaimed land) and a global one due to the possible effects of climate change. In 2007, he was chosen as No. 122 on the Times Magazine list of "Most Influential People in the World" due to the worldwide interest in water-based developments.

His vision is to change cities worldwide by using water as building ground.   Static cities have to change into dynamic cities ready to adapt to floods and fluctuations.  The first city in which this work is being built is Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

About Waterstudio.NL

Waterstudio develops new architectural and urban typologies, as well as technical solutions in dealing with the problems of dynamic water management and building on water. The development of dwelling and working concepts provides a new notion of the layout of parcels and regions. Moreover, new techniques make new forms of buildings possible. Innovation is the main force behind the firm: Waterstudio has set itself the objective of converting innovative ideas into feasible and broadly applicable building concepts for the upcoming decades.  Visit the Waterstudio.nl website.

PHOTOS: Waterstudio.NL and Dutch Docklands, Floating and Rotating Tower

Comments

[Sven Sluyter]

Leuk stukje hoor Koen!

Gr. Sven

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During construction the building location can float along with the growing water district. A primary school can be replaced by a high school in case pupil numbers are insufficient

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Koen Olthuis studied architecture and industrial design at the Delft University of Technology. He is the founder of the Dutch architectural firm Waterstudio.NL that specializes in floating structures to counter concerns of floods, which are both a local concern

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Wow. That is a big step to make.

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Isn't this similar to the hotel in Dubai thats basically built on water out at sea on reclaimed land?

With increasing sea levels then this must be the way forward

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Great idea and very interesting but it can be very expensive.

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Floating constructions is the next step to relieve the excess of population.

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Excellent information about Dynamics in the vertical plane I love this photo because it is great I never see anything like this.

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I'm not agree that practice will improve contamination in the seas.

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i saw a show about this on the discovery channel. i recommend looking for the video online... it's worth watching!