Panama SeaPods, Dutch Eco-Houses and UAE Islands – Welcome to the World of Floating Homes

from Dubai Marasi Water Villa and Seahorses on the coast of the emiratefor Floating Cities in Maldives and the world’s first community SeaPods in Panama, water homes are fast becoming a reality. The Dutch are largely considered to be the forerunners of the format, with architect Koen Olthuis from the European country designing the latest pods for marine builders in Panama.

While one of the Panama pods recently suffered a pump failure, causing it to tip, the company quickly corrected the problem and clarified that a lack of a backup system on the prototype SeaPod caused the accident. Not only were no one injured, but no one even got their feet wet, according to a statement from Ocean Builders.

It remains to be seen whether SeaPods are still in orbit in December, but here are eight other floating houses cruising smoothly.

Floating Private Island Amillarah World, Dubai

Designed by Olthuis-based architecture firm Waterstudio, the floating building is located on the World Islands off the coast of Dubai. According to the Waterstudio website, the firm said: “The island is covered in sand, giving it a beachy feel. It also has a large swimming pool and moorings for yachts. External stairs connect the building’s different terraces, and open façades at ground level connect inside and outside.”

Amsterdam Water Villa

Another Olthuis project, the USP of this villa is its pop-up bedroom. The bed is designed to sink into the ground, which then turns the bedroom into a study. The pop-up system demonstrates the flexibility a floating home can incorporate.

Floating Villa, Urk

In addition to one-off water properties, developers are also considering creating floating communities. The Dutch city of Urk is home to seven large floating villas designed by ABC Arkenbouw. The energy-efficient residences with glass facades are insulated and equipped with solar panels.

floating house, england

Marine specialist Aquavista has launched two floating cabins in the UK, one at Sawley Waterside and Marina in Nottinghamshire and the other at Priory Waterside and Marina in Bedford. Two bedroom home offering open plan living areas and wraparound terraces in a gated community renovated by UK specialist hotel builder Prestige Homeseeker.

Marina Uno Water Resort, Italy

lie in Lignano Sabbiaodoro Riviera, Marina Uno Resort launched its floating house project in 2018. Fully furnished two-bedroom house located on the part of the property where the Tagliamento river meets the sea.

floating home, stockholm

Located on Pampas Pier near the center of the Swedish capital, this floating house was built by AquaVilla in 2006. For homes that are in constant contact with water, it’s made of aluminum and wood paneling, but only on the outside, and it also has a hot tub.

Lausitz Gelswald Resort, Germany

Located in the city of Elsterhead in the heart of the Lusatia Lake District, this resort offers a series of modular house arks atop an “unsinkable” pontoon. Each 97-square-meter residence spans two decks, with a dining area, kitchen and bathroom on the lower level, and a sleeping area and furnished sun area on the upper level.

Floating House Four, Oregon

Floating on the Willamette River, the house is dominated by windows that better capture 360-degree views of Portland’s rolling waters. Owners don’t have to worry about invasion of privacy, though, as design firms Integrate Architecture and Even Construction have installed peek-a-boo fencing and glass blocks in place of clear sheets.

Scroll through the gallery below to see SeaPods making waves in Panama

Updated: October 8, 2022 at 11:55 am