A house that can exist on both dry land and water sounds like something from the year 2100, right? Wrong. They’re actually a thing already. In fancy, technical terms, these buildings are referred to as ‘amphibious' (yes, like frogs). These structures are built within a ‘dock’ and sit on fixed foundations – but when a flood happens, they rise up and stay above the water. Pretty groundbreaking, eh?
The very first amphibious house was built in Marlow, Buckinghamshire ten years ago, but now plans are underway to create a new one that is almost three times bigger.
If the plans go ahead, Misty River House will be built at Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire (a very flood-prone area) and be the largest amphibious house in the world.
Baca Architects, the firm behind the plans, said that the building will provide ‘an adaptable response to climate changes as the building will always float above the highest flood levels’.
The garden has also been designed with flood protection in mind. The planning application includes a fancy tiered garden designed by a past winner of the Chelsea Flower Show, which will apparently act as a ‘natural flood alert mechanism’. The tiers will flood gradually, warning the residents of rising water in plenty of time.
So long as the application is given the green light, work could start on the site in November. If these scary AI images and this climate study are anything to go by, there’s never been a better time to have a flood resistant home!
Did you see that this much-loved seaside attraction in Cornwall has been forced to shut?
Plus: Manchester is getting a massive new ice rink.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.