In response to a potential earthquake, Istanbul-based architecture firm SO? has created a prototype floating shelter with a unique design. The company says that Istanbul would not have enough sufficient land for emergency housing in case of an earthquake, so they’ve moved to the waters.
The water-based shelter, known as Fold&Float, is made from steel and contains a lower, flat base and an upper, A-based structure. The A-frame easily folds down into a flat rectangle, so it’s painless to transport.
Credit: SO?
The interior, wood-based furniture is attached to the walls via hinges. This allows occupants the ability to unfold the “furniture” once they are safe at sea. The floating home contains seating, a kitchenette, bathroom, and a raised sleeping area, and in total has about 226 sq ft of living space.
Currently the shelter is only a prototype and in the experimental stages. New Atlas says there is currently no hype about insulation, power, or heating, but that could come next in the experiment stages.
Fold&Float was designed for the Hope On Water project at the Istanbul Design Biennial in 2018.
Filed Under: Rapid prototyping