Waterpod Project – A Floating World

Waterpod Project (renderings by James Halverson of Lux Visual Effects)

A recurring theme for the future seems to be alternative housing. The Waterpod Project intends to be a model for the future of architecture and living. It is concerned with the same basic problems as other projects, climate change and increasing world population, but takes a different approach. Where Polar Cities and Lilypad are primarily concerned with physical survival, Waterpod is interested in creativity and expression.

The Waterpod is inspiring because it has moved past the hypothetical, it is currently being constructed in New York. Being a model for future building, sustainability is the key. The Waterpod is being built on a retired industrial barge using salvaged materials. It features three domes to be used for artistic space, sleeping quarters, and agriculture.

It is currently scheduled to launch in New York in May, 2009, from the Newtown Creek between Brooklyn and Queens, navigate down the East River, explore the waters of New York Harbor, and stopping at each of the five boroughs it will dock at several Manhattan piers on the Hudson River, then beyond.
–Waterpod Structure

Waterpod artist residency building

To begin with there will be five residents who will live and work and be completely sustained on the barge. They plan to travel around to teach, give tours, and have exhibitions. They hope to be a model and inspiration for the future, to prepare and to encourage innovation.

This forces me to focus on certain things that I have been putting off for too long, and forces me to live like we will probably all need to live sooner or later.
–Mary Mattingly

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Update: Two people have been living on the Waterpod full time since June 12. — NYT

Thu, Feb 19, 2009  Permanent link
Categories: architecture, Transportation, Global Warming, Floating, Waterpod

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