Living on Water

It is 2080 in England, the average temperature has increased and the sea levels have risen. Many fields in East Yorkshire, UK have flooded and a new project has begun.

The project H2GO is designed as modular islands on the new body of water. Each boat is comprised of a different style of home to accommodate the occupants on top and to encourage people to utilise their skills for trade e.g. growing vegetables throughout the community.

This community has been developed for people who want to live a sustainable life. It encourages trade between people, minimal waste, and small living.

Early Development

Main Body

Main function: Shelter and home for three people. The aesthetics are created to feel homely and contains earth elements such as wood and plants to help people feel more connected to land.

Electricity: Solar photovoltaic panels charge a battery that is stored in the hull of the houseboat. While the home is docked to the land it is plugged into the electrical grid powered by solar and tidal energy.

Fireplace: The fireplace lets off radiant heat to warm the home, heats the water system and also provides a secondary place to cook.

Storage: There is enough storage for 2250L of water, 5000L waste, 2000L extra food (harvesting fruits/vegetables).

Storage: clothing and personal items is kept to a minimum for small living and utilises the hull space.

Special functions: Waste water from showers and washing machine is used in the toilet system.

A back door opens fully for indoor/outdoor living

Hull

Sweep reference line to cut hull shape

Fillet to taper

off hull body smoothly.

Shape cuts

along the sweep reference line

The hull shape was created through the use of a cut profile sketch of the desired shape being swept along the reference line that was the shape of the boats side profile. The body was then copied and pasted twice and moved into place. The three bodies were joined together and shelled for a hollow base.

Basic Shapes

Early Development

Material Development

Material exploration to create a cohesive, warm, comfortable and earthly environment.

Use of reclaimed wood throughout to help the occupants connect with the earth while they are living at sea.

Hemp crete has been used for the vegetable garden as it is fire retardant, mould resistant and durable.

Early Rendering

Upper Deck

Lower Deck

Hull

Items

Detailed Creation of Items

Realistic Setting

Attention to detail and precision were taken for individual items. Even small details such as working door hinges with screws and the holes in the washing machine drum create a realistic, cohesive and functional design and aesthetics throughout the house boat. The variety of shapes provided great opportunity to learn a range of techniques in 3D modelling.

Creating 3D Texture

VRED

Bathroom

Outdoor Wood

Outside Layer

Original

Bump Mapping #1

Bump Mapping #2

Used

Water

Water Texture

Bump Texture

To create the realistic water two large cylinders were used. The base cylinder was filled with water texture and the second cylinder was filled with glass material with the bump texture added for create a three dimensional look. The glass cylinder was placed slightly higher than the base cylinder to create reflectivity and depth.

Render Test 1

The water turned out too dark, which mimics the water on a stormy day. The water is intended to look refreshing and light.

Test 2

The water visuals are too solid looking. It doesn't portray a reflective water body with depth.

Test 3

Use of multipass material and the water texture as the base cylinder and the top cylinder as the glass and a bump texture created the reflective, light water to complete the scene.

Final Rendering

Layout

Hempcrete Vegetable Garden

Storage

Three level drawers for maximum use of space

Tall pull out pantry

840L Fridge/Freezer

The kitchen was created to utilise all the space available with high storage and pull out drawers for easy access to products. A double oven was designed for this project to save on energy, as it is useful for smaller and larger dishes.

Kitchen

Bedrooms

While the bedrooms are compact they effectively utilise the space available. Storage space has been created to raise up from the floor for bedroom one and pull own from the cupboard for bedroom two. This enables greater use of space without feeling overcrowded.