Inhabitat » LIVING THE LIFE AQUATIC ON A WATERLIVING HOUSEBOAT

August 27, 2006

LIVING THE LIFE AQUATIC ON A WATERLIVING HOUSEBOAT

by Matt Chapman

Waterliving, Danish Houseboats, Copenhagen, water architecture

Sea levels may rise and coastlines may fall but one thing will always remain consistent: the Danish are going to get through life in style. These fabulous houseboats from Copenhagen’s Waterliving are but the latest example.

Waterliving houseboat, Swan model

Definitely exhilaratingly modernist in spirit, the Waterliving line incorporates elements from the vernacular of waterfront architecture, mixes in a few nautical tropes, and manages to stay undoubtedly stylish. We love the wood paneling, the funky round windows, contemporary fixtures and all the great outdoor spaces.

The architects at Waterliving aren’t stopping with residential one offs. They have visions of reinvigorating moribund waterfronts with new floating complexes. This can include restaurants, hotels, event spaces … Beyond architecture, the firm can also help navigate political and zoning issues. The exciting thing about Waterliving is that these are not just drawings of houseboats. Some of them are already bobbing around docks and quays in Denmark, Sweden and Britain.

+ Waterliving Denmark

Waterliving Houseboat Mississippi

6 Responses to “LIVING THE LIFE AQUATIC ON A WATERLIVING HOUSEBOAT”

Sue S. Says:

August 30th, 2006 at 5:26 pm

Just curious…how do you handle the bathrooms? Do you use composting toilets? Any set-up for water recycling?
The houseboats are VERY appealing!

Jonathan Baker Says:

September 28th, 2006 at 1:37 pm

The bathrooms are dealt with in the same manner as in regular residential housing. The “house” part of the houseboat is built after the (very strict) Danish Small House regulations, and all of the utilities work just like they would in a regular house (gravity drainage for example). The only difference is that there is a “collecting tank” (call it a small septic tank if you like) in the hull with is connected directly to the public sewage system. Depending on the location, the waste is either pumped or suctioned out of the houseboats and into the sewers.
And thank you for your comment. We are continually working to develop this very new and very exciting field. I feel that our designs are always improving, and we now have a little of something for most tastes. Check out our website for the latest.

Jonathan Baker Says:

September 28th, 2006 at 1:52 pm

Sorry, just one more thing (i forgot to address the “Green” aspect of our work). We are constantly working to develop sustainable solutions and work them into our designs. By its nature, a houseboat should be as selfsufficient as possible; therefore, we are begining to incorporate solar energy, thermal heating (but from water instead of the earth), and other systems into our houseboats. We are also using prefabricated steel elements and enviornmentally friendly materials. :)
- Jonathan (chief architect, Waterliving)

James Geddes Says:

October 18th, 2006 at 7:03 am

It would be a great idea to make these cheaply available in Bangladesh.

Steve Smith Says:

March 25th, 2007 at 6:45 am

I think these are wonderful solutions which work well in a civilised social democratic country like yours. But Britain is a neo-liberal/ neo-conservative, highly unequal and Americanised society, with a lot of crime, fear and loathing. Do you find British planning authorities resistant to your ideas?

Our local authority seems very conservative and self-satisfied (ignoring the intense housing crisis facing young people and low income groups). We are mostly seeing dull pretend-traditional architecture here in the suburbs and there seems to be a view that houseboats spoil rivers and waterways (rather than make them more interesting places). The average price of a house around us here in Surrey is £750,000. You really need a household income of £200,000 per year, which is silly. So I guess my question is about how to change the political agenda to enable alternative housing solutions to happen….?

Emily Bloom Says:

March 9th, 2008 at 10:40 pm

I currently reside in Los Angeles, and have been searching to find a sustainable houseboat architect in the United States. My research has not led to much success. I’ve alternatively researched converting a regular diesel engine to bio diesel engine in a used houseboat and then installing a solar panel system to supply energy to the boat. However, I would like to renovate the interiors and exteriors of the boat with sustainable wood and insulation as well, I’ve contacted eco prefab manufactures to not much avail.
Does anyone have any suggestions about what the best approach would be in terms of either renovating a houseboat to new green standards or finding a builder interested in the floating green venture?
I appreciate your time and Thank you in advance!
-Emily Bloom
-Artist for the Environment
-f19 productions

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