With some 50% of its land mass only one metre above sea level and much of it actually below, the Netherlands is taking an active interest in Global Warming and the associated increase in sea level. All of its Universities are united in one big programme with the Government. They have a team of over 500 people working on climate proofing the Netherlands. So it’s no surprise that its architects are leading the way in innovative flood proof homes. Factor Architecten's design in Maasbommel is neither a houseboat nor a floating house, but an amphibious home that rests on land but is built to rise when the water level rises. Sitting on a hollow concrete foundation it is attached to six iron posts sunk into the bottom. When the river swells the house will float up to as much as five and a half meters, laterally secured by two horizontal mooring posts that connect it to the neighboring house. Simply floating back down as the water subsides. It is part of a new experiment in living in areas where flooding is a worry. Instead of fighting against the elements the Dutch people can now enjoy the water and work with it.


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