Netherlands have a long history near the water, having to respond in a special way to inhabit the edges. Recently it has been thought of houseboats as a way to solve the needs of higher density housing in this country.
Thus, in recent years has been an increase in the number of collective housing projects on water, which share several characteristics with terrestrial urban design, in the case of district IJburg designed a floating neighborhood, complete with springs instead of paved roads.
The water supply then the possibility of densifying strategic areas within cities and is also a way of redeveloping old port areas, outdated and flooded quarries. Another argument in favor of these groups is to promote a new way of life near the water, promoting a feeling of freedom and closeness to nature.
The set was drawn along the docks, trying to generate a sense of individuality of the houses on the water. This was achieved by varying the distance between each, as well as its orientation.
The building system was designed to function as dams housing, the houseboats are supported on “tubs” of submerged concrete, which is built on a light steel support structure. This structure and lining up each of the houses.
Its configuration is variable through a package of pre-designed expansion, which includes sunscreen, garages, floating terraces, awnings, etc.. All these elements can be easily connected to this frame-skeleton.
The differences in height between the dock, water and the entrance on the ground floor are resolved through a walk around the house, down to the water. The gateways also make it possible to walk around the house – like a boat – permitendo be in permanent contact with water.
The houses have three plants that can be used freely, the lower part is black and has space for several rooms. The central plant is available at ground level and opens onto the water winning privacy against the movement of the springs. At the third level terraces were placed outdoors to create new nine feet above the water and open new vistas to the docks and the landscape.
