Architects unveil 'Brad Pitt's' floating house that can fight floods effectively.

Byline: ANI

Washington, October 17 (ANI): Architects have unveiled the first floating house permitted in the United States for actor Brad Pitt's 'Make It Right Foundation' in New Orleans, which is designed to float securely with rising water levels.

According to a report in Environmental News Network (ENN), the FLOAT House has been designed by Morphosis Architects, under the direction of renowned architect and UCLA distinguished Professor Thom Mayne.

Mayne led a team from Morphosis Architects and graduate students from UCLA Architecture and Urban Design in this innovative housing project to help with the rebuilding of the Lower Ninth Ward post-Hurricane Katrina.

The concept emerged from a study of the flooding record, social and cultural history of the city, and the ecology of the Mississippi Delta.

The FLOAT House is a new model for flood-safe, affordable and sustainable housing that is designed to float securely with rising water levels.

In the event of flooding, the base of the house - reconceived as a chassis - acts as a raft, allowing the house to rise vertically on guide posts, securely floating up to twelve feet as water levels rise.

While not designed for occupants to remain in the home during a hurricane, this innovative structure aims to minimize catastrophic damage and preserve the homeowner's investment in their property.

This approach also allows for the early return of occupants in the aftermath of a hurricane or flood.

According to Tom Darden, Executive Director of the Make It Right Foundation, "When Brad Pitt launched Make It Right, he promised the residents of the Lower 9th Ward that he would help them build back stronger, safer and better able to survive the next storm or flood. The FLOAT House is helping us deliver on that promise."

"For the first time, this house brings technology to Americans that was created to help save homes and speed recovery from flooding," he said.

"It's an approach and design that could and should be replicated all over the world now threatened with increased flooding caused by climate change," he added.

Designed in response to Ninth Ward residents' specific needs, the FLOAT House serves as a scalable prototype that can be mass-produced and adapted to the needs of communities world-wide facing similar challenges.

The state-of-the-art home uses high-performance systems, energy efficient appliances, and prefabrication methods to produce an affordable, sustainable house that generates its own power, minimizes resource consumption, and collects its own water. (ANI)

Copyright 2009 Asian News International (ANI) - All Rights Reserved.

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company