Floating structures are gaining traction as a viable and sustainable method of preventing flood damage, exacerbated due to the rising impact of climate change, according to the European Climate Adaptation Platform (Climate-ADAPT). The structures are designed to adapt to fluctuating water levels and offer a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle while enhancing climate resilience.

The world needs better flood prevention: Given that around 40% of the global population resides in coastal areas within 100 km of the ocean, the expected annual flood damage globally could increase by USD 16.2 bn to USD 44.5 bn per year during 2020–2100 under low- and high-emissions scenarios, respectively, according to a study published in Springer. The US’ Federal Emergency Management Agency has alone had to pay around USD 4 bn to buy out 45k to 50k flood-damaged homes, converting them into public space that can absorb floodwaters and protect surrounding areas.

Our region could be at risk: The UAE was struck by its heaviest rainfall in 75 years last month. A recent study by the World Weather Attribution team has attributed the flood’s intensity — which resulted in around 34 deaths in the region, up to USD 850 mn in damages in UAE, Bahrain, and Oman, and destroyed nearly 50k cars in the UAE — to global heating and urbanization. The research indicates that human-caused climate change particularly intensified El Niño effects and contributed to the record-breaking rainfall, which saw Dubai receive more than 14 cm of rain in 24 hours.

Regional startups are exploring solutions: UAE’s startup Floating Man, which specializes in floating structures including floating solar and battery energy storage system stations, is also introducing floodproof villas and houses to combat the impact of floods.

Floodproof villas? The firm’s structures become buoyant and rise with the water when it reaches 60 cm below the structures, harnessing the power of water pressure without using any energy, Floating Man’s CEO Mehdi Honarvar tells us. When the water level drops, the homes naturally settle back to their initial position thanks to gravity. The design uses specialized pontoons beneath the homes that enable buoyancy and 4-6 strategically placed bases around the building which provide anchoring to ensure the villas remain stable and secure during water level changes.

Designed to accommodate different heights: A flood map is created first considering different flood severities to identify potential flood depths. The houses are then designed and built to withstand these floodwaters ranging from 3-6 meters above water levels. They can also be designed in different sizes and layouts to accommodate different needs. The houses are manufactured in units at the company's factory and assembled like a puzzle at the construction site. The prefabricated units interlock easily allowing for quick and easy assembly.

The tech has surpassed rigid testing: CFD testing assessed the stability of a 100 sqm, one-story, two-bedroom house design. The tests considered a weight of 50 tons including 30 individuals and extreme weather conditions with winds up to speeds of 126 km/h and waves of around 30-40 km per hour.

Lots of energy + cost gains for clients: The houses are fully isolated, equipped with roof solar panels and battery energy storage systems, and can save up to 80% of energy consumption. The villas will also include storage units to store and recycle used water for multiple uses. This includes economy, luxury, and ultra-luxury grades which can be implemented for villages, cities, or luxurious sea resorts The company estimates the villas’ price to range from USD 30k -50k.

Similar designs have been popping up everywhere: New Orleans-based Morphosis developed its Float House design after Hurricane Katrina. The houses are a prototype for a prefabricated, self-sufficient building that can withstand flood waters as it rises on its guideposts during severe flooding with the base acting as a raft guided by steel masts. Thailand's Site Specific also designed its Amphibious House using a prefabricated steel floating system that sits under the house to collect rainwater while remaining hidden. The depression below the house is filled as the water level rises keeping the house pre-buoyant in case of a flood.

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