We at Baca are very excited to see our ‘Seaview’ flood-resilient home being brought to life. Above, is a recent on-site photograph- what a cantilever!​

One year on from the original show, Kevin McCloud returns tonight to discover what has happened with one of the most ambitious Grand Designs ever – the UK’s first Amphibious House.The fully completed building is revealed to the cameras and put through its paces to find out if it floats. The owners of this remarkable residence show how they have settled into their stunning and distinctive home. The couple’s dream of living in a flood-prone location with strict planning constraints was made possible by the construction the UK’s first amphibious house – a building that rests on the ground on fixed foundations but, whenever a flood occurs, rises up in its dock and floats there buoyed by the water. You can catch the story of this pioneering building, see how it has progressed and watch new landmark events since its completion tonight at 9pm on C4.                 ​

November’s issue of Grand Designs Magazine is on the shelves now, featuring the story of the UK’s first Amphibious House, designed by Baca Architects.  The article tells the clients’ story from planning through to construction of the special amphibious design and recalls the floods of 2014 which held up construction. The success of the design of the house, as well as its pioneering flood-resilient nature, is captured in the stunning photography accompanying the article. This forward-thinking project will hopefully form the benchmark for other amphibious properties around the country as people seek to protect their homes from flooding.  Further details can be found on p61-67 of November’s Grand Designs Magazine.Robert Barker will be presenting this and other amphibious designs in a seminar called ‘Amphibious Housing UK – a fail safe solution to flooding’ on Thursday 15th October at 14:00 to 14:30 in the Marshalls Theatre, at The Flood Expo 2015, hosted in the Excel Centre, London.                 ​

Voting opened this week for the prestigious International Design and Architecture Awards 2015, with our Amphibious House shortlisted in the Residential Architectural Property category.  Hosted by UK interior design magazine, design et al, the awards aim to commend design, recognise talent, create opportunities and quite simply to offer inspiration. If you would like to vote on the awards and for the Amphibious House, please click on the banner below to visit where your selections can be made.  We wish the best of luck to all shortlisted projects!       ​

The UK’s first Amphibious House has been making waves since being featured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs show. This unique, Baca-designed home has attracted widespread attention and has already been won a Gold Award in the 2014 London Design Awards. An amphibious house is one that rests on the ground on fixed foundations but rises up within its dock to be buoyed by the water in the event of a flood. The float test will be performed soon and with the coming flood season approaching, many eyes will be watching to see if the Amphibious House’s special capabilities will be needed so soon.      

The UK’s first Amphibious House has won a Gold Award in the Architecture category at the 2014 London Design Awards.  The trophy will be presented to the Baca Architects team responsible for the project at a ceremony to be held at the Truman Brewery in London next week.  The London Design Awards celebrate those who produce excellent design works. To see the winning project, please visit the LDA website by clicking here.           ​

October saw the anticipated debut of the UK’s first Amphibious House, designed by Baca, on C4’s Grand Designs show.  The family home on the banks of the River Thames, that rises in its dock to float in the event of a flood, is a major breakthrough for British architects and engineers who have been searching for a solution to mitigate flood-risk. Highlights of the show included the successful passing of the float test and the site under water during last winter’s terrible national flooding.  With this winter approaching and the potential for the first flood on the site of the newly-built house, it may not be long before the Amphibious House rises to the occasion.      

The Amphibious House will be unveiled for the first time at 21:00 on Wednesday the 15th October on Channel Four’s Grand Designs show this week. It has been a challenging design and even more challenging build. What an amazing project to work on. We are pleased to see it nearing completion. http://www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs/episode-guide   Follow us live on twitter during the show@Baca_Architects