The project brief
Aim and guidelines
This project aimed at dealing with the concept of open plan living and taking into account limited space and an unusual building environment (water). Given a prefabricated floating steel platform measuring 8 by 32 meters (26 by 104 ft.) students were asked to design a contemporary housing unit on one floor. Rooms and spaces should be designed to accommodate two adults and one child.Two terraces, one at each end of the pontoon and measuring at least 8 square meters (86 sq. ft.) each, should be provided to ensure accessibility.
Personal considerations
An aquatic environment as such and its possible variations as a consequence of the changing mooring sites of the pontoon, should be considered vital elements to look for optimization of the position and orientation of the windows, while also respecting the need for privacy. A symmetrical structure should contribute to the equilibrium and stability at float, without compromising the quality of the design and its acceptability to future owners and inhabitants.
The final result
Strictly open plan living
Apart from a storage room and a toilet, no other spaces are accessed through doors.Although this is a literal translation of the concept of open plan living, it also emphasizes it. The master bedroom offers a panoramic view over the surrounding environment.The smaller bedroom is located at the mooring side. Yet, the position of windows and walls secure a high level of privacy for both bedrooms. One corridor crosses the pontoon from wall to water so that, when entering the pontoon, the visual contact with the aquatic environment is preserved.
A spacious and cosy living room
A little less than half of the total available area is devoted to the living quarters in a broad sense.The kitchen, the dining room and the salon are integrated as much as possible into one continuous space. This space bathes in natural light and provides access to a large terrace, via the salon and four large folding doors. The terrace, which could be used for outdoor dining for instance, may optionally be protected from direct sun by a sunscreen.
