floating in paradise

Rafaela Ahsan
rafaela.ahsan@gmail.com

One of the key principles behind the floating city is to focus on passive climate strategies and as such the means of construction was chosen for its ability to allow airflow and provide shade while also generating electricity. Bamboo is used as the main building material for its quick growth and ability to work well in tension and compression. The structure allows for ample airflow and supports a canopy above. Light is able to penetrate through a transparent corrugated roof, which is protected from rain by the canopy.

To generate electricity, the city mainly relies on PV panels and a biodigester. The PV panels form the roof canopies above buildings and also double as a shading mechanism as well as protection from the elements. Depending on use and location different canopies provide different amounts of shading.
The biodigestor uses organic waste from the greenhouse to produce fertilizer and biogas which can be used for cooking and other operations.

Lastly, the platform is equipped with a water desalination plant that uses heat from solar thermal collectors to distill water as in a solar still. These solar thermal collectors are located on south or southwest facing walls and can be integrated into the facade of each building.