Staying Afloat microhome – The future of living on water

The threat of extreme weather and flooding caused by climate change is an ongoing issue around the world, threatening infrastructure, health, and wellbeing of cities and individuals. Specifically in the UK, approximately 6.1 million people live in flood prone areas, with a predicted increase of 61% by 2050 according to the National Fire Chiefs Council.

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In order to adapt, Heta proposed the “Staying Afloat” microhome concept, a future thinking design for mobile single-storey floating microhomes with a footprint of 25m² that lives on bodies of water and flood prone areas around the UK.

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The concept

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The “Staying Afloat” microhome concept draws inspiration from canal boats, adapting and evolving the design to meet the future needs of those living on or near water. The focus is creating lightweight, adaptable, and flexible homes capable of addressing the challenges posed by climate change. The design can fold and adjust its structure to fit within its context and form neighbourhood clusters. Its flexible form allows it to fit through narrow waterways with a linear configuration or folded into a triangular layout for wider rivers. This concept also supports community living, where multiple units can interlock through secure anchor systems, forming small clusters on urban quays, rivers, wharfs, or water inlets near towns.

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Designing the multi-configuration aspect of the home

The initial concept began with sketches that explore the relationship among the four primary functions of a home: eat, sleep, wash and live. Given the 25m² footprint limitation, maximizing space and ensuring clear circulation pathways were essential. Through various massing studies and experimentation with different layout configurations, we discovered that the most effective arrangement is to position a central void space, which became a defining element of the design. This void could serve multiple purposes including; an enclosed garden, an extension of the living room, or a circulation area between rooms, particularly when the microhome is arranged in a triangular typology.

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Off-grid nature and mobility of the home

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Off-grid homes are defined as "residences that does not rely on public utilities, particularly for electricity". In the “Staying Afloat" microhome, power is generated by PV solar panels installed on the roof at a 4° angle. These panels have an IP67 rating, making them waterproof and capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions.

The microhome features a foldable mesh pontoon system. It utilizes fifty-four 55-gallon recycled flotation barrels positioned underwater at the base of the structure, which serve as a stabilizer.

The adaptability of the design necessitates movable access platforms. Our solution involves foldable mesh pontoons that connect the pods when the home is arranged in a triangular form but can be tucked away when it is in a linear configuration. This mesh pontoon system also enables multiple triangular microhomes to link together, fostering the creation of small communities and neighbourhoods.

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