Amphibious Houses Could Provide A Permanent Solution For Flooding In Thailand

Looking for a permanent solution to the problem of flooding in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/thai-building-facade-handmade-from-natural-banana-fiber/">Thailand</a>, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/prefab-friday-site-specifics-shipping-container-inspired-prefab/">Site-Specific</a> and Prefab Laboratory have developed a series of amphibious buildings that float during a flood. The 'Amphibious Houses' use a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/category/architecture/prefab-housing">prefabricated</a> steel floatation system built over a trench. As the area begins to flood, water first pools into the trench and the home begins to float and rise up with the water. The plan also includes shops, hybrid residential/commercial buildings and civic spaces, which all work together as one floating community.

The government of Thailand asked the two architecture firms to work on solution for the increasing problem of flooding in Thailand.

In the past, most people in Thailand lived near the river in homes equipped to deal with the rise and fall of the water, but as people have expanded beyond the river, their homes are no longer appropriate for flooding.

As such, Site Specific and Prefab Laboratory were tasked with creating a solution that could permanently solve the problems of loss of life and property damage.

Their solution was in the form of floatable buildings that can rise and fall with the water.

The various buildings are situated within the community so that neighbors can help each other during the flood and everyday life can continue on.

Four different types of buildings were designed to accommodate most of the needs for the community, including a residential building, commercial, residential/commercial hybrid and civic buildings.

The building is constructed on top of a prefabricated steel floatation system located in a trench underneath.

The home is kept in place by that slip-column system that lets the house travels up and down with the water.

The floatation system is underground for two reasons.

First, with it under the house, the floatation system is hidden and the home sits at the street level and is more appropriate for modern Thai life.

Second, as flooding begins, water first pools in the trench and the home or building begins to be buoyant before the major flooding begins.

Backup systems like rainwater collection, solar and wind power systems, and protected food storage areas allow each home to function even if city utilities fail.

The new buildings would be arranged in mini-communities typically made out of 5-10 buildings that are made up of several building types, so families can assist each other in the flood until more help arrives.