Comments on: LIVING THE LIFE AQUATIC ON A WATERLIVING HOUSEBOAT http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/ Future-forward design for the world you inhabit Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:34:26 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: salmancohttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/comment-page-1/#comment-89509 salmanco Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:58:52 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/#comment-89509 i am actually very happy to see fantastic design ithink this is better than the american very sofisticated and not qulified for the sea only stable for the rivers and sill or crest water ilike to send me some designs or photoes i have ability to have one in the arabian gulf thanks a lot eng. omer alamri /doha i am actually very happy to see fantastic design ithink this is better than the american very sofisticated and not qulified for the sea only stable for the rivers and sill or crest water ilike to send me some designs or photoes i have ability to have one in the arabian gulf thanks a lot eng. omer alamri /doha

]]> By: Jonathan Bakerhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/comment-page-1/#comment-86283 Jonathan Baker Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:07:48 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/#comment-86283 As far as finding a sustainable houseboat architect, I'm afraid you will be hard pressed to find one in the U.S. -- let alone any other country. This type of houseboat is, in itself, a very new concept; therefore, it is not easy to find many companies that have devoted the energy or resources to actually realize a model at 1:1 (not to mention push the concept forward). Your solution is inspired and indicative of what usually happens when someone really wants to live in this way. I'm actually now in the process of divorcing myself from Waterliving, due to the fact that it is basically turning into a pure production firm, and I feel that it is losing it inspiration and driving ideals and goals. I am thinking about starting my own architecture / consulting business (and I am originally from Santa Barbara), so who knows.... Jonathan Baker, aquatect As far as finding a sustainable houseboat architect, I’m afraid you will be hard pressed to find one in the U.S. — let alone any other country. This type of houseboat is, in itself, a very new concept; therefore, it is not easy to find many companies that have devoted the energy or resources to actually realize a model at 1:1 (not to mention push the concept forward). Your solution is inspired and indicative of what usually happens when someone really wants to live in this way.
I’m actually now in the process of divorcing myself from Waterliving, due to the fact that it is basically turning into a pure production firm, and I feel that it is losing it inspiration and driving ideals and goals. I am thinking about starting my own architecture / consulting business (and I am originally from Santa Barbara), so who knows….
Jonathan Baker, aquatect

]]> By: Emily Bloomhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/comment-page-1/#comment-76388 Emily Bloom Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:40:13 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/#comment-76388 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 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

]]> By: Steve Smithhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/comment-page-1/#comment-42101 Steve Smith Sun, 25 Mar 2007 10:45:29 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/#comment-42101 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....? 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….?

]]> By: James Geddeshttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/comment-page-1/#comment-10265 James Geddes Wed, 18 Oct 2006 07:03:45 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/#comment-10265 It would be a great idea to make these cheaply available in Bangladesh. It would be a great idea to make these cheaply available in Bangladesh.

]]> By: Jonathan Bakerhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/comment-page-1/#comment-7738 Jonathan Baker Thu, 28 Sep 2006 13:52:55 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/#comment-7738 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) 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)

]]> By: Jonathan Bakerhttp://www.inhabitat.com/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/comment-page-1/#comment-7737 Jonathan Baker Thu, 28 Sep 2006 13:37:13 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/#comment-7737 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. 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.

]]> By: Sue S.http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/comment-page-1/#comment-5646 Sue S. Wed, 30 Aug 2006 17:26:53 +0000 http://inhabitat.com/blog/2006/08/27/living-the-life-aquatic-on-a-waterliving-houseboat/#comment-5646 Just curious...how do you handle the bathrooms? Do you use composting toilets? Any set-up for water recycling? The houseboats are VERY appealing! Just curious…how do you handle the bathrooms? Do you use composting toilets? Any set-up for water recycling?
The houseboats are VERY appealing!

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