Design and functions of floating architecture – a review

Abstract

Floating facilities such as, floating islands, floating houses, industries and, entire cities are constructions for habitation, entertainment, industrial or commercial purposes, and infrastructures are built to float on fresh- or seawater. They can be floating on air-filled or light materials. Recent developments in the ocean show a trend of offshore constructions, which can be situated above deeper waters, further offshore. These can replace the development of reclaimed lands close to shore. Floating architecture provides certain advantages for the planning of sustainable design, such as: (a) a number of viable responses to the problem of rising sea level, (b) much-needed space replacing the lack of land for agriculture, for housing, and for commercial growth, (c) the creation of new and innovative tourist destinations, (d) a much smaller ecological footprint than land-based constructions, (e) the extension of city centers that are built near the coast; (f) the possibility of green planning at an unclaimed plot. We present here a review of existing floating architecture with different functions, from housing, entertainment, and food production to industrial purposes such as wind parks and desalinization plants.