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The Raft House
As the climate warms and the ice caps melt, seas are rising and we are running out of real estate. Climate change has impacted many areas but especially coastal regions. Thailand has faced severe flooding for the past decade and is expected to receive even harsher storms. People’s mental and physical healths, livelihoods, and homes are threatened. It is time to adapt or get out.
The people of Kanchanaburi, Thailand have built in a new way that will help keep them sane, healthy, and dry. Since many of their coastal homes are flooded, innovators have built homes that float on water. This novel innovation allows Kanchanaburians to stay in areas that they have inhabited for generations. Raft houses sit on the water, while amphibious houses, which are more expensive, can be placed on land and rise when there is a flood. These house are a perfect example of people responding and adapting to climate change. How has your community adapted to climate change?
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On November 3rd, 2011 at 11:48 pm dot Said:
Just a few clarifications:
1) Since there is severe flooding in Thailand right now and it is receiving international news coverage, I just want to point out that Kanchanaburi is not affected by this year’s flooding.
2) Kanchanaburi is an inland province of Thailand with no coastline, there are just banks of rivers (River Kwai, most notably) and lakes.
3) Floating homes, although pretty cool, are not a new innovation in Kanchanaburi nor in Thailand.
On November 4th, 2011 at 4:12 pm Victoria Riess Said:
Hi there,
Kanchanaburi may not be effected by this year’s flooding, but a raft house that can rise with any additional water that flows in from heavy rain is still an interesting concept and smart adaptation strategy.
You may be interested in taking a look at another innovation Planet Forward’s highlighted from architects Chuta and http://planetforward.org/members/prefablab/. It’s their amphibious house idea and the raft house above was their inspiration. As mentioned above, the amphibious house in normal, everyday conditions sits at ground level. During flood conditions it rises with the water. Take a look at Planet Forward’s Nightly Business Report on the topic: http://planetforward.org/nbr/amphibious-house/