Developed by the Danish Maritime Architecture Studio ‘MAST’ with the support of Hubert Rhomberg and venture studio ‘FRAGILE’; ‘Land on water’ promises a solution for building almost anything on the water; from floating houses in Seattle, to floating campsites at the centre of Oslo fjord, to saunas on Hobart’s riverfront.
Project Name: Land on Water
Studio Name: Maritime Architecture Studio
Credits: Land on water was created by Danish Maritime Artchitecture Studio MAST with the support of Hubert Rhomberg & venture studio FRAGILE
photorealistic visualisations by: KVANT-1 (www.kvant1.no)
A growing acknowledgement of sea level rise and an increased risk of urban flooding has contributed to a sharp increase in interest in building on water but current solutions, including polystyrene filled concrete foundations and plastic pontoons are inflexible, difficult to transport and highly unsustainable. Land on water promises an entirely new, sustainable and highly flexible solution.
How it works.. Flat-pack floating foundations
The system is based on simple, flat-pack modules made from reinforced, recycled plastic that can be easily transported around the globe and assembled into countless configurations. Providing a secure floating founda- tion for building housing and infrastructure.
The system was inspired by gabion construction, an ancient technology which utilises mesh cages filled with rub- ble to create extremely sturdy, low cost foundations. In this case the concept is inverted; and the modular ‘cages’ are filled with locally sourced, upcycled floatation supporting the weight of any structure built on top. This has the unique advantage that floatation can be added or adjusted at any time if weight is added above.
Better for the enrivonment above and below the water
Land on water also promises a far better underwater environment than existing solutions. While steel and con- crete foundations are commonly treated with toxic anti-fouling paints, Land on water provides an ideal habitat for fish and crustaceans and an anchor point for molluscs and seaweeds.
A starting point for organic floating communities
Land on water promises a climate resilient and adaptable solution for the construction of new floating buildings but could also lead to an entirely new type of dynamic and organic off-grid floating community and an alternative to the large master-planned floating cities currently under development which repeat many of the mistakes made by urban planners in the middle of the 20th century.
About MAST
MAST is a maritime architecture studio based in Copenhagen, Denmark. We work with water to create innovative, open and sustainable spaces.
We work internationally and across all scales, from 25m2 floating saunas in copenhagen harbour 3000m2 public precincts in Milan and London. We develop architectural proposals, undertake research projects and collaborate extensively all with the aim to reconnect cities to their waterways, to create healthier marine enbvironments and allow more people to enjoy them.
