Amphibious architecture: A review of the construction methods adopted in existing designs

Ameh, Hope; Lamond, Jessica; Badarnah, Lidia

Abstract

Effective flood mitigation strategies at individual property level can be designed to limit damage and facilitate recovery by limiting water entry or enabling entry into occupied spaces in a controlled manner. Ideally these strategies will be robust to potential variations in flood depths and can be deployed rapidly and/or automatically at onset of flooding. The research considers amphibious architecture as part of a multi-dimensional approach to Property level Flood Resilience. The research defines an amphibious building as one which is fixed to a buoyant base that rests on the ground but is designed to float when flood waters rise. Amphibious architecture is also shown to meet the criteria of a robust flood mitigation strategy as it works in harmony with the natural cycle of a flood and is effective in areas with both low and high [flood] water depths.

Although there are many existing designs and a small number of constructed amphibious buildings., there is yet to be a comparative review of their design, rationale, and construction methods. The research focuses on the collation and review of the construction methods of constructed amphibious buildings, highlighting their characteristics and unique design properties. A literature review is conducted to understand the similarities and differences between the construction methods adopted in these buildings, highlighting the design challenges posed by the construction methods adopted and possible areas for improvement in design of amphibious buildings.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: SEEDS Conference 2022 (International Conference for Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society)
• Start Date: Aug 31, 2022
• End Date: Sep 2, 2022
• Deposit Date: Nov 14, 2022
• Keywords: Amphibious Buildings, Flood Construction, Amphibious architecture, Architecture, Construction methods
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9949042
• Related Public URLs: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/events/conferences/seeds-conference-2022/