A floating settlement for wetlands Code PAC026 A floating settlement for wetlands in the Netherlands, comprising interlocking prefabricated modules arranged to provide different dwellings around water courts. Roof level is grassed to provide a garden landscape over the water. Waste is processed & recycled by a biological "Living Machine". Zero CO2 emissions are achieved using Bio-mass energy. A floating settlement for wetlands in the Netherlands, comprising interlocking prefabricated modules arranged to provide different dwellings around water courts. Roof level is grassed to provide a garden landscape over the water. Waste is processed & recycled by a biological "Living Machine". Zero CO2 emissions are achieved using Bio-mass energy. The neighbourhood The project shown is for a settlement which floats on water, accessible from an existing dyke or embankment adjacent to an inland sea or lake. Total area = 4.11 hectares Number of dwellings = 144 Density = 35 dwellings per hectare. 32 single bedroom dwellings and 112 three bedroom dwellings are shown. The modular system is flexible and allows for the numbers of each type of dwelling to be varied where necessary. The modules can also be adapted to provide office / studio / light workshop / laboratory space, in order to bring a working environment into the settlement - either as integrated live/work units or as separate work spaces. The proposed system could equally float on the land surface with the minimum of preparation - only requiring levelling of the area required for each housing unit - the interlocking would allow the grouped units to adjust to larger scale undulations in the natural terrain. The neighbourhood is comprised of four sub-districts, each comprised of the following: 8 single bedroom dwellings, 28 three bedroom dwellings, one floating support building. The support building contains all communal support facilities for the dwellings - services (heating and electricity - see section on energy below) waste management (see section on waste below) parking, shop, creche, laundry and other social facilities as needed, although it is envisaged that increasing use is made of internet economy and that more and more residents will come to rely on delivered provisions. Infrastructure & Accessibility The settlement would be accessed from a notional existing roadway which runs along the top of an embankment. From the roadway a bridge would link to the new floating settlement in which all infrastructure is integrated with the architecture of the settlement. The support building is where all of the communal services are housed - and this would be where parking is provided for cars (1 per household ) and bicycles. Other possibilities include a communal car pool of electrically powered cars for local commuting. From the support building a resident or visitor would walk either at high level across the garden roofscape of the dwellings or at low level through the interconnecting units to get access to each dwelling. All circulation is on the architecture. All services would follow the same routes, utilising the voids below water level. Another possibility is for a floating roadway which would allow the settlement to be situated further away from the shore. Energy The proposal envisages that energy is obtained from alternative sources - in this case bio-mass energy provided by a managed and coppiced willow plantation. The harvested willow timber would be burned in a communal CHP unit. The CO2 emissions from the CHP unit would be balanced by the CO2 absorbed by the willow plantation ensuring that overall zero CO2 emissions are achieved by the settlement. The CHP unit can be used to provide energy in the form of heat (hot water) and electricity. Waste A "Living Machine" is proposed for providing biolgical treatment and recycling of all waste. This is a closed biological system which uses sunlight, bacteria, plants, snails and fish to break down and digest organic pollutants. The waste is pumped from each dwelling to the "Living Machine" where it is passed through a succession of tanks which increasingly break down and purify the waste matter. The end result is clean water (suitable for flushing wc's, watering plants, etc ) and clean solids suitable for fertiliser. see also: www.livingmachines.com The floating house Each dwelling based on the basic module of a prefabricated unit - 5 metres wide and 10.5 metres long. Three house types are shown in the illustrated proposal: Type A: 2 module / Three bedroom house with low level access. Type B: 2 module / Three bedroom house with high level access. Type C: 1 module / One bedroom house with high level access. Other house types are possible within the modular system, making use of half modules, or combining larger numbers of modules. Construction The modules are designed to be pre-fabricated off-site to ensure good quality finishes and tolerances. Joining the modules together on site minimises construction times. The proposed construction method is for lightwieight steel framed modules, which keeps the weight of each module below 7,500 Kg to ensure that it remains afloat by virtue of displacement. The modules are clad with cor -ten steel to which naturally oxidises to form a robust patina which requires no maintenance. Below the water line the cladding will be welded to provide a waterproof enclosure. Above water level the cor-ten cladding can be used as a rainscreen to allow for ventilation of the construction. Plywood lining is proposed for the interior. Windows - flush fixed low-e double glazing with aluminium framed opening sections to provide natural ventilation. Roof level - grass planting system. Sliding runners between each dwelling will allow the dwellings to move relative to one another and adjust to the motion of the water.