Floating buildings, seasteading and the future of living at sea
In this article I discuss the ethics of constructing and living at sea... and I interviewed a Prince.
Core samples, tide gauge readings, and satellite measurements tell us that over the past century the Global Mean Sea Level has risen by 4 to 8 inches. However, the annual rate of rise over the past 20 years has been 0.13 inches each year, roughly twice the average speed of the preceding 80 years.
These changes in sea level, however great or small have an adverse and sometimes devastating effect on coastal habitats. As seawater encroaches onto the land it causes destructive erosion, harmful flooding, contamination of agricultural soils and lost habitat for fish, birds, and plants – and sometimes humans.
Another dangerous side effect of a rising tide is that when large storms do hit land they are so much more dramatic, causing powerful storm surges and tsunamis that can strip away everything and everyone in their path. An example of such wanton destruction was the deadly tsunami of 2004. A subsea earthquake triggered a series of devastating tsunamis along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean, killing 230,000 people in 14 countries, and inundating coastal communities with waves up to 100ft high.
Needless to say, in such ecologically vulnerable times something must be done both to slow the effects of global warming and reduce the risk of harm, death and suffering to people living within the danger zone.
Building on water
A Dutch engineering and construction company are one of many companies offering a solution that won’t have people running for the hills anymore. Functional Design.NL (FNL) have been designing and developing floating houses and other buildings that can withstand sea level rise and flooding as well as strong tsunami proof constructions, offering sustainable solutions for the problems of climate change and other disasters all over the world. FDN’s floating constructions protect people and workers in high risk areas; allowing durable, sustainable development of vulnerable natural areas simultaneously.
One such project (designed primarily for the Asian coastlines) is the tsunami resistant house. The concrete structure is both waterproof and stable whilst incorporating hydrodynamic styling to lessen the impact of rushing water on its structural integrity. Fitted with solar panels on the roof and watertight windows the innovative structure will keep the inhabitants safe during a tsunami wave attack and sustain them afterwards.
For European countries FDN have also designed several floating constructions such as buoyant buildings in Amsterdam, a Yacht hotel and a semi floating apartment, where a special hydraulic system stabilises the position of the house during storm, waves and water tides – preventing people feeling seasick within their own homes.
A population on water
There are a multitude of other examples of innovative projects which are amphibious, submerged or buoyant. Development of such ideas could allow us to thrive on the water’s surface.
American futurist and social engineer Jacque Fresco predicts that a time will come when humans are forced colonise the sea, to escape land made uninhabitable by overpopulation and climate change. He has spent his career designing cities of the future, and himself lives in a dome-shaped prototype.
Admittedly all this may sound farfetched; however the concept of creating permanent dwellings at sea (or seasteading as it is known as) is by no means a new concept and is even going on today. A full-service floating city already exists for residents of ‘The World,’ a 644-foot yacht that continuously circles the planet. Launched in 2002, the ship contains 165 condominium spaces that sell for millions.
A concept called ‘Freedom Ship’ also exists on paper, which is essentially a mile long flat bottomed shipwould essentially be a mile-long flat-bottomed barge with a high-rise building on top. Weighing 3 million tonnes and with a top speed of 10 knots, the floating city would house 40,000 residents, 20,000 crew and would circle the globe every three years, stopping 12 miles offshore at each port for a week at a time.
I spoke to somebody who is certainly no stranger to the concept of seasteading -Prince Michael Bates of the Principality of Sealand - the world’s smallest independent Sovereign Nation, established on a wartime fortress in 1967 12 kilometres off the coast of Suffolk, England. Sealand covers 0.007 sq miles, yet it has its own currency (sealand dollar) and a national anthem.
- After the independence of Sealand was upheld in court in 1968 your national motto became E Mare Libertas, which means "From the Sea, Freedom." This of course referring to freedom from oppressive laws and restrictions of existing nation states; however, has the remote location at sea imposed restrictions of its own?
"Yes of course it has been quite difficult over the years. When we were first on Sealand there were no phones or radio communications. The supply boat would leave promising to come back in a week and sometimes a month would go by with no contact from the outside world until it appeared again."
- Core samples, tide gauge readings, and satellite measurements tell us that over the past century the Global Mean Sea Level has risen by 4 to 8 inches. However, the annual rate of rise over the past 20 years has been 0.13 inches each year, roughly twice the average speed of the preceding 80 years. Do you think if this continues we may be forced to consider seasteading as a viable option for living? If so what challenges would that pose to somebody looking to “take to the seas?”
“We still have a good few feet to go before we need to start worrying about that.”
- Is it true that in 1978 in an extraordinary act of treason, the then Prime Minister of Sealand hired several German and Dutch mercenaries to spearhead an attack on Sealand, storming the platform with speedboats, jet skis and helicopters and took you hostage?
“No they arrived in one helicopter and it caused a problem for a few days until we launched a helicopter assault to retake our fortress island.”
- What does the future hold for Sealand?
“There is talk again if a Hollywood movie and a constant flow of propositions from entrepreneurs. We would be fascinated to hear of any economical ideas to reclaim land around our fortress island. Perhaps using the large sandbag device I have seen in Mexico to build a coffer dam. If anybody has any ideas please get in touch!”
So will construction on water sink or swim?
The construction industry can provide viable solutions for people who are affected by rising sea levels – it can also play an integral part in slowing the entire process. According to recent studies, energy from fossil fuels consumed in the construction and operation of buildings accounts for approximately half of the UK’s emissions of carbon dioxide, resulting in a large carbon footprint and sadly abetting the process of global warming.
Only through sustainable design, eco-friendly practices and responsible business behaviours can we ensure that our coastlines remain areas of outstanding natural beauty rather than transgressing into something to be feared.
Michael's has written a book on his experiences called 'principality of Sealand.' For more information please visit www.sealandgov.org
For more information on FNL please visit www.fdn-engineering.nl
For more articles please visit www.buildingspecifier.com or www.hamag.co.uk