The concept of a conventional house and mobile swimming architecture cannot be easily merged. There is no doubt that a new typology has to be invented regarding usability, space and technology. The formal and conceptual requirements of being in motion stand in opposition with the desire to simultaneously feel at home. Living on water has to be rethought. This is why we propose a mobile floating architecture focusing on movement and autarchy. As its name suggests, the project “the last resort” follows the strategy of a last resort and tries to challenge known and familiar concepts and show alternative ways of living.

The programme is organised on two levels. In order to be able to have an adequate height of 2.50m in the upper deck, sleeping bunks, technical equipment and hatches are built into the lower deck. They serve as “extension rooms” of the upper deck: Beds and couches are embedded into the floor and can be opened as the need arises. The external measurements are 5m x 15m. In the front area, there is a covered terrace; there, you can find a staircase leading to the roof. Together, the kitchen and the living room form a generous open room. The bathroom consists of a core separating both bedrooms from the common room. The bedroom can be separated by sliding panels and used separately as a study. All in all, there are six beds (incl. 2 bunk beds).

The horizontal, undulated shape of the waterfront becomes inspiration for the design of the project. Furthermore, it serves as a means of orientation for the residents. The landscape can be understood as an extension of the living room. Therefore, an unobstructed view of the landscape enhances the spatial quality of the design.

Two surfaces (floor and ceiling) frame the room experience “nature”; they form the upper and lower margin of the picture. Since the height and shape of the levels can be varied, the perspective and view of the landscape keep changing. The floor, for example, bends downwards at one point and disappears into the water. At another point, the roof curves down to the floor, thus creating a “kissing moment”. At some other spot, it unfurls in order to make space for the staircase. All this generates a play on forms that, together with the swell, the wind and the water reflection results in an intense nature experience.

Generally, there are two types of use. When landing at a moorage, a high level of privacy is necessary due to possible adjacent neighbours. However, there is a practically boundless freedom when landing on unmarked sites. A flexible view and light protection are therefore necessary, not only for climatic reasons. It allows for the screening of certain rooms from others, if required.

Data

Architect: Rafaa
Räffelstrasse 28
8045 Zurich
Switzerland
www.rafaa.ch

Credits & Copyrights

Images & Text: Rafaa

click images to enlarge: