Vietnamese architectural firm H&P Architects has produced a new prototype dwelling constructed from bamboo. Dubbed Blooming Bamboo, the house is built to withstand heavy flooding, and is eventually intended to be mass-produced and sold as an affordable and attractive home.
The Blooming Bamboo prototype measures 44 sq m (473 sq ft), is placed on stilts, and is built around a central frame constructed from bamboo. This frame can be further adapted to suit the needs of each owner, using locally-sourced materials which include bamboo, fiberboard, and coconut leaves.
The ground floor features a living room, bedroom, bathroom, WC, and kitchen, while an additional multi-function upper floor is accessible via ladder. An area is set aside for plants and animal breeding, and the home sports both indoor and outdoor terraces.
Blooming Bamboo's facade allows ample natural light and ventilation, and the property also includes rainwater collection facilities with integrated filtration system. Besides a house, the building could also be used as a small community center, medical center, or educational facility.
Blooming Bamboo is rated as able to withstand floods of up to 1.5 m (5 ft) in depth, but work is underway to increase this to 3 m (10 ft).
H&P Architects reports that Blooming Bamboo can be built by future owners within 25 days, and the homes are expected to be produced at a cost of US$2,500.
Source: H&P Architects via Arch Daily
I would also perhaps suggest figuring out a way to put the water tank and filtered tank as tall thin back to back cores in the center of the house. That way the fresh water could rise with the house. It would also give it a nice center of gravity.
Otherwise brilliant design. Bangladesh alone would make for a economies of scale market.
Basically a grounded house boat secured to piles like a pontoon. (As with this design)
Several designs have been made by likewise inventive people, this must be the lowest cost unit I have seen...
Sadly I haven't built my own, as for my location to flood would need a Noah type of deluge. And it is something that the average person doesn't go and buy low lying land just to test out.