Thoses floating homes are hurricane-proof

Dutch architect Koen Olthuis and Miami-based livable yact company Arkup collaborated to build a 4,350-suqare-foot home that floats on the water. It’s completely off the grid, and is capable of withstanding a category 4 hurricane.

According to Inhabitat, Olthuis — with his studio Waterstudio — collaborated with “avant-garde life on the water” company Arkup to design the floating homes. Each unit is containing 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. Through a combination of solar panels, as well as water purification and waste management systems, they can operate entirely off the grid.

The livable yachts also come installed with 30-kW solar panels and 1,000 kWh of lithium-ion batteries. Rainwater is collected on the roof and transported to the home’s hull, where it’s then purified for future use. There’s also plenty of space to comfortably move around, including the 24×12 foot sliding terrace that lets you step outside and enjoy the view.

Arkup says its yachts are “a new way of living on the water, making you feel 100% safe and protected,” and we’re inclined to agree. Each home is equipped with shock-resistant glass panels to prevent shattering, and a hydraulic self-elevating system that can raise the home in the event of heavy rainfall or a hurricane; each hydraulic leg can also extend up to 40 feet. If that wasn’t enough, the hydraulic legs can move the unit at a speed of 7 knots (8 mph).

It’s a stylish way to live on the water, and yet another example that the homes we choose to live in can positively affect our environment.

Source: Futurism