© 2025 New Atlas
Architecture

Gallery: Waterstudio makes a splash with floating architectural visions

By Rich Haridy
November 23, 2017
Gallery: Waterstudio makes a splash with floating architectural visions
The spectacular Sea Tree concept is designed for flora and fauna where cities have no land left for animals or plants to thrive. The estimated cost is €1 million (US$1.18 million) and the entire structure is tethered to the sea bed by cables
The spectacular Sea Tree concept is designed for flora and fauna where cities have no land left for animals or plants to thrive. The estimated cost is €1 million (US$1.18 million) and the entire structure is tethered to the sea bed by cables
View 38 Images
The spectacular Sea Tree concept is designed for flora and fauna where cities have no land left for animals or plants to thrive. The estimated cost is €1 million (US$1.18 million) and the entire structure is tethered to the sea bed by cables
1/38
The spectacular Sea Tree concept is designed for flora and fauna where cities have no land left for animals or plants to thrive. The estimated cost is €1 million (US$1.18 million) and the entire structure is tethered to the sea bed by cables
The spectacular Sea Tree concept is designed for flora and fauna where cities have no land left for animals or plants to thrive. The estimated cost is €1 million (US$1.18 million) and the entire structure is tethered to the sea bed by cables
2/38
The spectacular Sea Tree concept is designed for flora and fauna where cities have no land left for animals or plants to thrive. The estimated cost is €1 million (US$1.18 million) and the entire structure is tethered to the sea bed by cables
The spectacular Sea Tree concept is designed for flora and fauna where cities have no land left for animals or plants to thrive. The estimated cost is €1 million (US$1.18 million) and the entire structure is tethered to the sea bed by cables
3/38
The spectacular Sea Tree concept is designed for flora and fauna where cities have no land left for animals or plants to thrive. The estimated cost is €1 million (US$1.18 million) and the entire structure is tethered to the sea bed by cables
The floating private island concept is close to fruition with a pilot island in the Maldives soon to be completed
4/38
The floating private island concept is close to fruition with a pilot island in the Maldives soon to be completed
The floating private island concept is close to fruition with a pilot island in the Maldives soon to be completed
5/38
The floating private island concept is close to fruition with a pilot island in the Maldives soon to be completed
The floating private island concept is close to fruition with a pilot island in the Maldives soon to be completed
6/38
The floating private island concept is close to fruition with a pilot island in the Maldives soon to be completed
The floating private island concept is close to fruition with a pilot island in the Maldives soon to be completed
7/38
The floating private island concept is close to fruition with a pilot island in the Maldives soon to be completed
The floating private island concept is close to fruition with a pilot island in the Maldives soon to be completed
8/38
The floating private island concept is close to fruition with a pilot island in the Maldives soon to be completed
The floating private island concept is close to fruition with a pilot island in the Maldives soon to be completed
9/38
The floating private island concept is close to fruition with a pilot island in the Maldives soon to be completed
Much like an app adds a feature to your smartphone, the Floating City Apps are designed to be modular add-ons to cities with a variety of different uses. The first batch will be delivered to Dhakar very soon
10/38
Much like an app adds a feature to your smartphone, the Floating City Apps are designed to be modular add-ons to cities with a variety of different uses. The first batch will be delivered to Dhakar very soon
Much like an app adds a feature to your smartphone, the Floating City Apps are designed to be modular add-ons to cities with a variety of different uses. The first batch will be delivered to Dhakar very soon
11/38
Much like an app adds a feature to your smartphone, the Floating City Apps are designed to be modular add-ons to cities with a variety of different uses. The first batch will be delivered to Dhakar very soon
Much like an app adds a feature to your smartphone, the Floating City Apps are designed to be modular add-ons to cities with a variety of different uses. The first batch will be delivered to Dhakar very soon
12/38
Much like an app adds a feature to your smartphone, the Floating City Apps are designed to be modular add-ons to cities with a variety of different uses. The first batch will be delivered to Dhakar very soon
Much like an app adds a feature to your smartphone, the Floating City Apps are designed to be modular add-ons to cities with a variety of different uses. The first batch will be delivered to Dhakar very soon
13/38
Much like an app adds a feature to your smartphone, the Floating City Apps are designed to be modular add-ons to cities with a variety of different uses. The first batch will be delivered to Dhakar very soon
One of the more extraordinarily fanciful floating projects is this floating golf course. With an estimated cost of $500 million, this is one floating project we can't imagine being built anytime soon
14/38
One of the more extraordinarily fanciful floating projects is this floating golf course. With an estimated cost of $500 million, this is one floating project we can't imagine being built anytime soon
One of the more extraordinarily fanciful floating projects is this floating golf course. With an estimated cost of $500 million, this is one floating project we can't imagine being built anytime soon
15/38
One of the more extraordinarily fanciful floating projects is this floating golf course. With an estimated cost of $500 million, this is one floating project we can't imagine being built anytime soon
One of the more extraordinarily fanciful floating projects is this floating golf course. With an estimated cost of $500 million, this is one floating project we can't imagine being built anytime soon
16/38
One of the more extraordinarily fanciful floating projects is this floating golf course. With an estimated cost of $500 million, this is one floating project we can't imagine being built anytime soon
The Krystall Hotel is a concept design for a hotel on a lake in Tromso, Norway. The entirely glass, floating structure is positioned so people can lie in their hotel rooms and watch the Northern Lights through the glass ceiling
17/38
The Krystall Hotel is a concept design for a hotel on a lake in Tromso, Norway. The entirely glass, floating structure is positioned so people can lie in their hotel rooms and watch the Northern Lights through the glass ceiling
The Krystall Hotel is a concept design for a hotel on a lake in Tromso, Norway. The entirely glass, floating structure is positioned so people can lie in their hotel rooms and watch the Northern Lights through the glass ceiling
18/38
The Krystall Hotel is a concept design for a hotel on a lake in Tromso, Norway. The entirely glass, floating structure is positioned so people can lie in their hotel rooms and watch the Northern Lights through the glass ceiling
The Krystall Hotel is a concept design for a hotel on a lake in Tromso, Norway. The entirely glass, floating structure is positioned so people can lie in their hotel rooms and watch the Northern Lights through the glass ceiling
19/38
The Krystall Hotel is a concept design for a hotel on a lake in Tromso, Norway. The entirely glass, floating structure is positioned so people can lie in their hotel rooms and watch the Northern Lights through the glass ceiling
This Floating Spa concept is proposed for somewhere in the Caribbean
20/38
This Floating Spa concept is proposed for somewhere in the Caribbean
This Floating Spa concept is proposed for somewhere in the Caribbean
21/38
This Floating Spa concept is proposed for somewhere in the Caribbean
This Floating Spa concept is proposed for somewhere in the Caribbean
22/38
This Floating Spa concept is proposed for somewhere in the Caribbean
Another private island design, this time proposed for Dubai
23/38
Another private island design, this time proposed for Dubai
Another private island design, this time proposed for Dubai
24/38
Another private island design, this time proposed for Dubai
The Parthenon Floating Sea Wall concept is a speculative idea designed to act as an electricity generator using tidal energy
25/38
The Parthenon Floating Sea Wall concept is a speculative idea designed to act as an electricity generator using tidal energy
The Parthenon Floating Sea Wall concept is a speculative idea designed to act as an electricity generator using tidal energy
26/38
The Parthenon Floating Sea Wall concept is a speculative idea designed to act as an electricity generator using tidal energy
The Parthenon Floating Sea Wall concept is a speculative idea designed to act as an electricity generator using tidal energy
27/38
The Parthenon Floating Sea Wall concept is a speculative idea designed to act as an electricity generator using tidal energy
The Floating Hub concept is essentially a stylish mobile dock for super expensive yachts
28/38
The Floating Hub concept is essentially a stylish mobile dock for super expensive yachts
The Floating Hub concept is essentially a stylish mobile dock for super expensive yachts
29/38
The Floating Hub concept is essentially a stylish mobile dock for super expensive yachts
The Floating Hub concept is essentially a stylish mobile dock for super expensive yachts
30/38
The Floating Hub concept is essentially a stylish mobile dock for super expensive yachts
Tiny Float is a realized project taking the tiny house idea and putting it onto water. The Tiny Floats are currently available to purchase in a variety of designs
31/38
Tiny Float is a realized project taking the tiny house idea and putting it onto water. The Tiny Floats are currently available to purchase in a variety of designs
Tiny Float is a realized project taking the tiny house idea and putting it onto water. The Tiny Floats are currently available to purchase in a variety of designs
32/38
Tiny Float is a realized project taking the tiny house idea and putting it onto water. The Tiny Floats are currently available to purchase in a variety of designs
Tiny Float is a realized project taking the tiny house idea and putting it onto water. The Tiny Floats are currently available to purchase in a variety of designs
33/38
Tiny Float is a realized project taking the tiny house idea and putting it onto water. The Tiny Floats are currently available to purchase in a variety of designs
Watervilla is another realized project, a three-story floating abode in Amsterdam
34/38
Watervilla is another realized project, a three-story floating abode in Amsterdam
Watervilla is another realized project, a three-story floating abode in Amsterdam
35/38
Watervilla is another realized project, a three-story floating abode in Amsterdam
A bold concept for a floating mosque in the United Arab Emitates
36/38
A bold concept for a floating mosque in the United Arab Emitates
A bold concept for a floating mosque in the United Arab Emitates
37/38
A bold concept for a floating mosque in the United Arab Emitates
A bold concept for a floating mosque in the United Arab Emitates
38/38
A bold concept for a floating mosque in the United Arab Emitates
View gallery - 38 images

For the last 13 years, Dutch Architect Koen Olthuis has been designing floating structures at his firm Waterstudio. His spectacular visions for reimagining urban environments has resulted in over 200 floating buildings around the world. Let's dive in and take a look at some of the studio's work.

Olthuis' work ranges from hugely speculative concepts like his spectacular Sea Tree, to firmly pragmatic design solutions like the Floating City Apps, which are refitted shipping containers that float on beds of recycled plastic bottles.

Much like an app adds a feature to your smartphone, the Floating City Apps are designed to be modular add-ons to cities with a variety of different uses. The first batch will be delivered to Dhakar very soon
Much like an app adds a feature to your smartphone, the Floating City Apps are designed to be modular add-ons to cities with a variety of different uses. The first batch will be delivered to Dhakar very soon

One of the more extraordinary recent floating projects to get underway is a series of private artificial islands in the Maldives called Amillarah. These luxury floating islands are designed for the super rich and the first island is set to be built soon, with dozens to quickly follow.

The floating private island concept is close to fruition with a pilot island in the Maldives soon to be completed
The floating private island concept is close to fruition with a pilot island in the Maldives soon to be completed

But Waterstudio isn't just interested in designing islands for the super rich. In fact, Olthuis' main vision is to create floating developments as an architectural response to rising sea levels and increasing urban density. The City Apps project in particular is a compelling, and adaptive, solution to helping less-advantaged communities in flood prone areas. The first major delivery, including a classroom and a floating solar energy plant, will soon arrive in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Take a look through our gallery for a closer look at the floating marvels from Waterstudio.

Source: Waterstudio

View gallery - 38 images

Tags

ArchitectureFloatingArchitects
No comments
Rich Haridy
Rich Haridy
Rich has written for a number of online and print publications over the last decade while also acting as film critic for several radio broadcasters and podcasts. His interests focus on psychedelic science, new media, and science oddities. Rich completed a Masters degree in the Arts back in 2013 before joining New Atlas in 2016.

Most Viewed

Load More
0 comments
There are no comments. Be the first!