Morphosis Architects have completed the first floating house permitted in the United States for Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation in New Orleans. The FLOAT House is a flood-safe sustainable housing design that floats securely with rising water levels.
The base of the house, reconceived as a chassis, acts as raft, allowing the house to rise vertically on guide-posts, floating up to 12 ft (3.66m) as water levels rise. The innovative design attempts to minimize damage and preserve the homeowner’s investment in their property in the event of a flood.
“When Brad Pitt launched Make It Right, he promised the residents of the Lower 9th Ward that he would help them build back stronger, safer and better able to survive the next storm or flood. For the first time, this house brings technology to Americans that was created to help save homes and speed recovery from flooding. It’s an approach and design that could and should be replicated all over the world now threatened with increased flooding caused by climate change,” says Tom Darden, Executive Director of the Make It Right Foundation.
On track for a LEED Platinum Rating, the FLOAT House uses energy efficient appliances and prefabrication methods to produce an affordable, sustainable house that generates its own power, minimizes resource consumption, and collects its own water.
Visit: http://www.morphosis.com/
Comments (10)
In response to JPP's post. I also live in NOLA too and I'm just a little curious to know who you refer to as 'them' & 'they'. Let's assume, for the sake of not dragging this great initiative into a sidebar and diversionary topic, it's simply people living in poverty. If you do live in the area and you've seen the lower ninth ward you've seen a slice of America that people need to be exposed too that underscores how 'they' live. I've personally seen better living conditions in Calcutta. Instead of condemning let's commend Brad Pitt (and the Make it Right Foundation) for stepping up, using his influence, power and wealth to do something that the government have failed, on all levels to achieve. He doesn't need to do this, but feels compelled to do so. I'm quite honestly proud of his achievements, not just with the help he is giving, but also the advances he is making, being at the forefront of the design and development of affordable, self sustainable housing. It goes beyond the rest of the hollywood elite simply driving electric hybrids stating 'their part' for the environment. It's a shame that more people of influence and power don't use it for the right reasons. The social issues you're eluding too end when people are treated with dignity and respect. Given access to affordable housing, proper health-care and education. This type of housing has nothing to do with encouraging people to stay or looting, it has everything to do with simply giving them a chance, so they don't have to spend the rest of their lives piecing it back together. If anything with these houses designed as they are, including the ability to generate their own power and collect their own water (clearly stated in the article, should read it all before you comment) would be the first to be looted by your 'thems' and 'theys', as they'll more than likely be the only ones standing/floating.
Well done Brad and the Make it Right Foundation, your efforts are appreciated by many. I'm sure some time in the future the residents of Calcutta will benefit from your advances, as it's clear to see the bigger picture for all humankind.
written by Oh dear! , October 07, 2009
Well done Brad and the Make it Right Foundation, your efforts are appreciated by many. I'm sure some time in the future the residents of Calcutta will benefit from your advances, as it's clear to see the bigger picture for all humankind.
written by Oh dear! , October 07, 2009
Sadly there are not more comments.. First I from the pictures I see. The "home" is not all that attractive. I would also be nice to know what materials were used and then ending square foot cost is
If any one know where I can get that Imformation. pleases send it to JoesEmail@yahoo.com
I have a design for a floating concrete house. that is similar... that would easily come in under 100 per sq.
written by ItsaMindTrip/ JP , October 09, 2009
If any one know where I can get that Imformation. pleases send it to JoesEmail@yahoo.com
I have a design for a floating concrete house. that is similar... that would easily come in under 100 per sq.
written by ItsaMindTrip/ JP , October 09, 2009
Hallo,- Great what the foundation of brad pitt does over there...we are here inventors preparing another solution you can use, which means that our house is really not only floating but also totally resistant against hurricanes , floods, earthquakes, and fires by a similar but very simple technology. Our desaster relief house is build as a prototype near vancouver at this time and everybody who is interested might contact us for further informations. gnisa@gmx.de
written by Frank Gnisa , October 12, 2009
written by Frank Gnisa , October 12, 2009
American ingenuity needs to be recognized and praised, but also needs to be tested. As from some of the comments above, the house is ugly, small and does not really appear to be weather (hurricane) resistant. A house being suspended on top of water will have to ride the waves or water currents; consequently the various electrical, plumbing, water and other utilities will be affected greatly to these pressures. Great! The house may be saved but now will have to deal with raw sewage going everywhere, repair and replacement of piping after the flood recedes and so on. The house will raise 12’ high. It may also moved side to side 12’ and what if it breaks away from its mooring; it may slam into another home. So much for these people’s homes whose home is destroyed. Should insurance companies insure it? The flood program was designed to force people to purchase flood insurance for those who live in flood zones. Will these people be exempted. Common Sense says if it is in a high flood zone like New Orleans…homes should not be built. Experience says that homes should be built on solid foundations. Don’t be so early to praise an idea until it is tested.
written by Dave , October 29, 2009
written by Dave , October 29, 2009
Without knowing all of the particulars it is hard to critique / condemn / praise this design. In term of planning, it is more than correct to comment that a design like this is encouraging people to stay in the flood plain instead of relocating to higher ground. It is not a commendable thing to do in term of planning. However, what Mr. Pit is doing must be commended for his ambition to assist that particular stratum of society whose, perhaps, can not afford to live elsewhere.
In term of design, the house looks cheap but then it is for the have-nots! And yes, perhaps, it is not that all good looking. Accordingly, I am not sure that it would stand up to a gust of strong wind. From reading a few short paragraphs of description, I'd like to point out that the house rises up on guide posts, which seems to suggest that the house can't easily flow away, especially if those guide posts (or mooring anchors as someone has called it) are designed and built for that purpose.
The idea should be commended but perhaps more attention should be paid to the end users as well as planning (the overall picture of New Orleans.)
written by Anthony Nguyen , October 29, 2009
In term of design, the house looks cheap but then it is for the have-nots! And yes, perhaps, it is not that all good looking. Accordingly, I am not sure that it would stand up to a gust of strong wind. From reading a few short paragraphs of description, I'd like to point out that the house rises up on guide posts, which seems to suggest that the house can't easily flow away, especially if those guide posts (or mooring anchors as someone has called it) are designed and built for that purpose.
The idea should be commended but perhaps more attention should be paid to the end users as well as planning (the overall picture of New Orleans.)
written by Anthony Nguyen , October 29, 2009
Logic? Common Sense? Why build back in such a flood zone? Our tax dollars at work!
written by Dave P , October 29, 2009
written by Dave P , October 29, 2009
Having grown up on Galveston Bay I see practical uses for a structure like this, and none of them are residential. Office space by the docks, emergency response/medical facilities for after the storm, some form of a back up structure for first responders to utilize. As a former fire fighter I have seen the damage after a true storm. The people need to evacuate, period. This design would not have lasted on Bolivar Peninsula along with the now gone structures and memories from my childhood weekend trip there. In New Orleans the contamination of ripped away sewage lines would render the structure hazzardous for residential occupancy beyond anything the FEMA trailers may have presented.
I truly believe it has potential use for commercial properties and emergency responce required to be on the water front. Nothing more.
written by Patrick , October 29, 2009
I truly believe it has potential use for commercial properties and emergency responce required to be on the water front. Nothing more.
written by Patrick , October 29, 2009
The house is designed to solve the rising flood water in a huricane. Wether you want to use it for looting after the storm or anything else is up to you. You can also stay on it to protect yours and your neighbour's properties. Besides, the automobile was designed to transport people from one place to another faster and effiently. The inventer did not forsee that it could be driven by drunken drivers to kill people. The aeroplane was invented by the Wrights brothers to enable man to fly. They did not forsee that it could be used to bomb people to blithering. Nevertheless both the automobile and the aeroplane were invenred. Thank God for that.
written by KC , October 30, 2009
written by KC , October 30, 2009
Anyone with an IQ over 5 saw this disaster coming. Anyone that is except Mr. Chocolate City himself. If you ever built a sand castle any time other than high tide you understand the physics involved. Pouring all this money into the well is stupid. Unless you elevate EVERYTHING above the historical high water mark this history will repeat itself.
The "them and they" he referred to are the people stupid enough to stay. I do not care what their socioeconomic demographic is..... If someone says leave or die, intelligent people leave. If they had no way out (where there is a will there is a way) blame the Mayor. FEMA had nothing to do with that, the lack of evacuation was all on him.
As someone who spends a month every year working disasters let me say this from one end of FL to the other, to the Carolinas, to Mississippi, AL, and Texas, the biggest cluster F*** was New Orleans. FEMA tried to follow the same script they have used (aside from the adjustments made by politicians) for years. It worked everywhere else. The reason it did was that the citizens had resolve and a desire to work for a solution.
I witnessed first hand in the Cajun Dome hallways (resident to resident) the impromptu training on how to get multiple red cross cards, how to register multiple heads of household on the same address, the specific personnel items to report lost to qualify for the Max. assistance. They passed around phone numbers for groups that gave out money instead of "junk" (clothes, food, furniture).
Everyone decried "racism", "conservative ism", "Bushism", etc. The only differences between this and any other disaster area were the fact that New Orleans was already a disaster due to corruption and political ineptitude, and the wards most heavily effected were running over with system surfing career "victims".
written by Globie359 , November 16, 2009
The "them and they" he referred to are the people stupid enough to stay. I do not care what their socioeconomic demographic is..... If someone says leave or die, intelligent people leave. If they had no way out (where there is a will there is a way) blame the Mayor. FEMA had nothing to do with that, the lack of evacuation was all on him.
As someone who spends a month every year working disasters let me say this from one end of FL to the other, to the Carolinas, to Mississippi, AL, and Texas, the biggest cluster F*** was New Orleans. FEMA tried to follow the same script they have used (aside from the adjustments made by politicians) for years. It worked everywhere else. The reason it did was that the citizens had resolve and a desire to work for a solution.
I witnessed first hand in the Cajun Dome hallways (resident to resident) the impromptu training on how to get multiple red cross cards, how to register multiple heads of household on the same address, the specific personnel items to report lost to qualify for the Max. assistance. They passed around phone numbers for groups that gave out money instead of "junk" (clothes, food, furniture).
Everyone decried "racism", "conservative ism", "Bushism", etc. The only differences between this and any other disaster area were the fact that New Orleans was already a disaster due to corruption and political ineptitude, and the wards most heavily effected were running over with system surfing career "victims".
written by Globie359 , November 16, 2009
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written by JPP , October 07, 2009