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Architects unveil 'Brad Pitt's' floating house that can fight floods effectively |
Architects have unveiled the first floating house permitted in the United States for actor
Brad Pitt's 'Make It Right Foundation' in New Orleans, which is designed to float
securely with rising water levels. According to a report in Environmental News
Network (ENN), the FLOAT House has been designed by Morphosis Architects, under
the direction of renowned architect and UCLA distinguished Professor Thom Mayne.
Mayne led a team from Morphosis Architects and graduate students from UCLA Architecture
and Urban Design in this innovative housing project to help with the rebuilding
of the Lower Ninth Ward post-Hurricane Katrina. The concept emerged from a study
of the flooding record, social and cultural history of the city, and the ecology
of the Mississippi Delta. The FLOAT House is a new model for flood-safe, affordable
and sustainable housing that is designed to float securely with rising water levels.
In the event of flooding, the base of the house - reconceived as a chassis - acts
as a raft, allowing the house to rise vertically on guide posts, securely floating
up to twelve feet as water levels rise. While not designed for occupants to remain
in the home during a hurricane, this innovative structure aims to minimize catastrophic
damage and preserve the homeowner's investment in their property. This approach
also allows for the early return of occupants in the aftermath of a hurricane
or flood. According to Tom Darden, Executive Director of the Make It Right Foundation,
"When Brad Pitt launched Make It Right, he promised the residents of the Lower
9th Ward that he would help them build back stronger, safer and better able to
survive the next storm or flood. The FLOAT House is helping us deliver on that
promise." "For the first time, this house brings technology to Americans that
was created to help save homes and speed recovery from flooding," he said. "It's
an approach and design that could and should be replicated all over the world
now threatened with increased flooding caused by climate change," he added. Designed
in response to Ninth Ward residents' specific needs, the FLOAT House serves as
a scalable prototype that can be mass-produced and adapted to the needs of communities
world-wide facing similar challenges. The state-of-the-art home uses high-performance
systems, energy efficient appliances, and prefabrication methods to produce an
affordable, sustainable house that generates its own power, minimizes resource
consumption, and collects its own water. |
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