WATERVILLA

The Netherlands has always been a pioneer in new types of floating and amphibious architecture, and the Watervilla by Waterstudio is another example of this. It looks, on the surface, much like a regular houseboat - in fact, it essentially functions as one when water levels are high. However, beneath the surface of the water it sits on a foundation which bears part of the weight of the structure. Although this is different from a conventional amphibious building, it is still a form of amphibiation.

The main level of the house sits almost at the water level, and panoramic glass windows allow the residents to enjoy their spectacular waterfront views. There is also a basement, and this acts like a pontoon to provide the necessary water displacement to give the house buoyancy.

The Netherlands faces amplified flooding risk from global warming because so much of the country is below sea level. Projects like this show how conventional houseboat construction can be combined with the principles of amphibiation to create new solutions to flood damage mitigation.