Create. You can submit your idea or solution (preferably a video) around our questions about climate and energy challenges.
Vote. Help us choose the best ideas by rating their viability or discuss the ideas submitted by others. Get the FAQs.
Make it. Your ratings and comment help us decide which ideas are featured on our PBS TV Special. Learn how to make a video.
ActivismAdaptationAgricultureAlgaeArchitectureArtBikingBiofuelsBiomimicryBusinessCampus SustainabilityClean Tech
Climate ChangeEconomicsEducationEfficiencyElectric CarsEnergy StorageEngineeringEPA P3GeothermalGreen BuildingGreen CitiesGreen CommunitiesGreen Living
Planet Forward on TV
Amphibious House (Your Loss, Hurricane Irene)
As the east coast picks up after Hurricane Irene, ask yourself this: would you invest in a house that can float only when it needs to? Planet Forward members Jaray Yookong and Chutayaves Sinthuphan, architects at Prefab Laboratory, designed a floating house and Planet Forward’s Producer Victoria Riess went to Thailand to get the details. Planet Forward host Frank Sesno, brings you the story for this month’s Nightly Business Report segment.
Chuta and Jaray are not alone in their innovation. Brad Pitt’s Make it Right Foundation worked with architects to build a similar prototype in New Orleans.
In a Planet Forward interview, Bill Worthen of the American Institute of Architects, predicted that the floating foundation would cost anywhere between 5 and 15 percent of the house. So depending on the cost of the house, an additional several thousand dollars. Do you think it’s worth it considering the alternative?
facebook
twitter
On August 28th, 2011 at 7:12 am cb Said:
Sweet!!
On August 29th, 2011 at 12:05 am Sara Snyder Said:
How interesting! Can’t wait to see what other ideas are being brought to the table from around the world to make our communities here in the US smarter and better able to adapt.
On August 30th, 2011 at 10:29 am Victoria Riess Said:
Thanks for your comment, Sara. We are actually getting a lot of great ideas for the upcoming solar decathlon. If you are interested in ideas from around the world, you should check out what Team China submitted to our site for their solar house. http://planetforward.org/sunnyideas-at-the-solar-decathlon/ You can check out the other teams at that link as well. Be sure to like your favorite and share it with your friends on facebook!
On September 15th, 2011 at 2:25 pm Joan Berler Said:
This is fascinating. What a great concept. Also loved the graphics and animation. They really helped the average consumer comprehend what these floating houses look like and generally how they are constructed. Well done!