Amphibious Housing
Kuttanad is a low Lying land in Kerala. Kuttanad witnessed the historic evacuation of 1.5 lakh people in August 2018, when the torrential rains threatened their normal lives. As a response to this, some agencies have introduced the concept of ‘elevated house’ which are concrete houses on stilts. These houses are actually causing difficulty of access since people living in it have to climb the stairs every time on a day-to-day basis. Further, this solution is neither a sustainable solution nor an aesthetically pleasing one.
Due to the present of salt water in the water, the basement structures cannot be made using steel. Hence, we need to find an alternative material which will be able to withstand the salt content during the floods.
IDEA
To solve this issue, we have designed an amphibious house that will rise up and float in the same location in case of the flood. In keeping with the principles of living with water, it must be clear to people that extreme flood levels may occasionally occur and housing must be adapted accordingly.
Considering the need for rehabilitation in the housing sector of Kuttanad, this project is an attempt to address the housing needs in a scientific way. The houses built under this project
will withstand the yearly repeated floods and also does not cause the flood causing block of water flow and wetland devastation.
The design is inspired from the traditional architecture of Kerala, while solving a major issue that is faced by the people of Kuttanad.
