Tidal House: Terry.Terry Architecture’s coastal home of the future

Complied by Leah Linhares

Photography: Terry & Terry Architecture

Read Time: 3 Mins

  

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Ever dreamed of living out by the sea under the blue skies and a breath-taking view of the big blue? Terry.Terry Architecture’s Tidal House brings us a step close to this vision…

With rapid climate change and population growth across coastal zones, combating natural calamities like tidal rises becomes a serious concern. In an attempt to improve this situation, bringing us a step closer to the future, Terry.Terry Architecture have conceptualized a futuristic infrastructure that embraces environmental changes and proposes a structure that will ebb and flow with the tides.

 

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Designed as individual housing units using the technology of mobile offshore drilling units and exploratory platforms, the structure of a Tidal House can relocate as desired with the help of its “legs”. These legs can be deployed to or retracted using a rack and pinion gear system, where each leg operates independently, allowing the structures to be set close to the surface of the water. The aerodynamic spherical roof can withstand great winds and provides ample surface area for integrated electricity-generating photovoltaics.

 

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Aspiring to improve the quality of life through design excellence, the idea is to explore a simple dwelling within a small neighbourhood. Built around a floating dock, the Tidal House community is united by a walkway that connects to the shore. The structures are laced to the docks with adjustable gangways; with each structure having a retractable platform, it allows people to reach the water and provides for mooring boats.

 

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Subject to unique conditions, the density of each community can vary through time. Thus, the design concept can adapt to different lifestyles, programs and even evolve to accommodate a wide range of communities.

 

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©Patricia Parinejad

As part of the 15th International Architecture Exhibition of la Biennale di Venezia, Terry.Terry Architecture’s Tidal House is on exhibition at Palazzo Mora from 28 May through 27 November 2016.