For people living in low-lying areas in Southeast Asia, flooding is already a problem—and it will get worse as sea levels rise from climate change. An architecture firm in Vietnam has a new design for housing designed to float when the area floods. The basic, low-cost building is made from local materials like bamboo and leaves, and recycled oil containers at the base make it float. It's constructed using anchors and ties, and can be assembled by the families who will live inside.
The houses are also modular, and can easily be expanded for larger families. Outside, the roof can be opened for ventilation, and closed in heavy rain. A vertical garden on the outer walls can grow herbs and other plants. The buildings can also be used for schools, libraries, health clinics, and other community needs. It's a good example of design that truly considers local needs—from cost, to local resources, to resilience in the face of changing weather.
Images courtesy of H&P Architects
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