Floating Apartment Block Under Construction in The Netherlands

With sea levels expected to rise at least 80 centimetres by the end of the century, scientists, architects and designers have been looking at ways to adapt. The nation of Kiribati, which lies just two metres above the ocean, has confirmed plans to buy land from Fiji and is even considering the purchase of a man-made island.

In the Netherlands, architectural firm Waterstudio, founded by Koen Olthuis, is committed to "developing solutions to the problems posed by urbanisation and climate change". They've been coming up with large-scale floating projects, including a Sea Tree, an Ocean Flower in The Maldives and a Floating Boulevard in Antwerp. Now, construction is set to start on the world's first floating apartment block, known as The Citadel.

Sixty luxury units, covering two acres of water and built on a concrete caisson, will comprise the project. They'll be constructed on a polder — a low-lying section of land that usually floods during heavy rain — of which there are 3500 in Holland. The usual Dutch practice is to drain them, in order to protect nearby buildings. However, The Citadel will take rising and falling water in its stride, floating accordingly.

Each apartment will have its own garden terrace and lake views. Boat docks, a car park and a floating road (providing connectivity to dry land) are also part of the plan. Energy efficiency will be achieved via greenhouses and by taking advantage of the cooling potential of water. It's expected that, eventually, the construction of more floating buildings will see The Citadel become part of a buoyant town.

Via Gizmag.