UK's First Amphibious House

The UK’s first amphibious house has been given the go-ahead and is set to be built on the banks of the River Thames later this year.

An amphibious house is a building that rests on the ground on fixed foundations but, whenever a flood occurs, the entire building rises up in its dock and floats there, buoyed by the floodwater.

The modern 225sqm house – set just 10m from the river’s edge - will replace a dilapidated bungalow with a contemporary family home designed to respond to the uncertainties of future climate change.

Using the latest technology, the design is a major breakthrough for British architects and engineers who have been searching for many years for a solution to mitigate the risk - and damage - of water ingress to homes in flood-prone areas.

While the house will be a modern, highly-insulated, low energy building, including large high-performance windows, Baca has ensured that it is also sympathetic to the special area and meets local planning guidelines.  The amphibious house will have pitched roofs and a chimney to complement the irregular roofline of neighbouring homes and an overall footprint that is no larger than the existing property. 

Richard Coutts, director of Baca Architects, said; “The planning process obviously took a bit more time than some applications, involving our team in extensive consultations and cooperation with the local authority.  From the outset of the design process we sought expert advice from the Environment Agency to determine the most appropriate construction model to mitigate flood risk on the site; and provide a safe dwelling, sympathetic to its setting, and fit for the challenges of the 21st Century.” 

Stage: Planning Secured. Starts on site Autumn 2012