Corporate profile INTRODUCTION

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Corporate profile INTRODUCTION

VISION

CORPORATE VALUES

DeltaSync is a leading specialist in the field of floating urbanization. We provide consulting and design services and innovative solutions for delta areas. As an interdisciplinary think tank, we develop and implement flood proofing strategies.

Currently, for the first time in human history the amount of people that live in urban areas is larger than the amount that live in rural areas. The degree of urbanization is expected to rise further towards 70% in the 21st century. This growth will for a considerable part take place in low-lying deltas that are vulnerable to flooding and climate change. Already there is a shortage of space and cities rely completely on external sources for food, water and energy. With the increasing scarcity of resources there is a growing need for cities to be more self-sufficient.

DeltaSync reflects the following values:

By taking an integrated approach, that combines analysis, design and realisation, DeltaSync acts as a catalyst of visionary plans. Ideas or strategies are quickly taken to the next level, by providing technically feasible and aesthetically, economically and socially responsible solutions. In relation to this, sustainable development is a key aspect on all scales, from a single building to a complete city.

FLOATING URBANIZATION: • Is a unique and promising growth market • Creates new space in densely populated areas • Combines urban development and water retention • Is a safe and climate proof solution • Offers urban flexibility and movable buildings • Is easily combined with sustainable technology such as light weight construction and self-sufficient systems

Therefore there is a great need for new sustainable flood-proof concepts for urbanization of delta areas. Constructing floating buildings is a promising solution. It enables multi-functional use of space in densely populated areas, without further increasing flood risk. A good example of such a concept is the floating city. This concept can only be developed by investigating different scale levels in conjunction, ranging from building level, neighbourhood level to city level. To ensure that it is actually implemented, it is important that the feasibility, spatial integration and social aspects are fully included in the analysis and design. MISSION

DeltaSync’s mission is to design and develop the first self-sufficient floating city in the world. The realization of the Floating Pavilion in Rotterdam, the largest public floating building in the Netherlands, is the first milestone towards achieving this mission.

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• Sustainability DeltaSync recognizes its responsibility towards our planet and acknowledges that preservation of the world’s resources and ecosystems for present and future generations is of major importance. Sustainability is therefore an integral part of all projects. DeltaSync strives to create a balance between the needs of the users and the environment and develops innovative techniques and concepts to provide buildings with local water and energy resources. • Creativity and Innovation Creativity and innovation play an important role in the company. Innovation and the search for new unexpected solutions are important drivers in DeltaSync’s work. Problems are analyzed from different viewpoints and the solutions integrate water management, sustainable development, architecture and spatial planning into multidisciplinary proposals. • Collaboration DeltaSync believes in collaboration between researchers, designers, entrepreneurs and government agencies to obtain new insights and solutions in order to contribute to the challenges cities in delta areas are facing. In an early stage partners are involved and consortia are formed. Within these partnerships, integrated and multidisciplinary knowledge is developed.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE

APPROACH

CORE QUALITIES

DeltaSync has specialized in all aspects of floating urbanization. The past years we have developed specialist knowledge in several areas. We excel in the integration of water management, design and technology. Examples of our expertise with respect to floating construction and flood proof development are the following:

Similar to other design and consultancy firms, we provide design and consultancy services of good quality at a competitive price. DeltaSync distinguishes itself by an integrated approach in which analysis, design and implementation are combined. At an early stage, we engage in conversation with all stakeholders including local authorities, water authorities and utilities. This approach avoids unnecessary delays and guarantees the feasibility of our innovative solutions.

DeltaSync’s core qualities are the ability to initiate and realise complex projects, specialist knowledge and an integrated approach to analysis, design and social processes. This enables us to come to surprising and innovative, but also feasible solutions. Many of our projects are self-initiated. The most notable example is the Floating Pavilion in Rotterdam: an iconic project in the field of climate adaptation, which is currently being used as the National Water Centre.

Technology and engineering

• • • •

Floating and flood proof construction Structural design Building technology Water management

Architecture and design

• • • •

Architectural design Strategic visions Spatial integration Concept development

Socio-economic

• • •

Feasibility and business cases Legal aspects, legislation and regulation Collective private commissioning

Environmental

• • •

Energy and water supply Sustainable development Water and mobility

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Floating City FUTURE VISION

The Floating City is a concept for sustainable, innovative urbanization in a densely occupied delta area. It is a climate robust solution for urban development. In contrast to conventional urbanization, the Floating City can cope with water level fluctuations. Thus, it is a city without flood risk. In this project special attention was paid to themes of sustainability and mobility. The project received the first prize in the international Royal Haskoning Delta Competition.

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The Floating City is combined with the construction of a floating highway between Amsterdam and Almere. Part of the building, which is located beneath the water surface, serves as parking space. The Floating City is self-sufficient in terms of water and energy supply. Water is either collected through rain water harvesting or can be drawn from the large reservoir on which the city floats. Positioning the city on a large body of water also provides opportunities for implementing thermal energy storage systems.

Royal Haskoning Deltacompetition LOCATION: IJmeer, NL DESIGN: 2006 CLIENT:

Floating Pavilion ROTTERDAM

Initiated by DeltaSync, the Floating Pavilion is intended as a pilot for building on water and a first step towards floating urbanization. The urban development of unprotected areas outside the dikes is of major importance to the city of Rotterdam. With this project the municipality of Rotterdam takes a pioneering role in climate adaptation and delta technology.

CLIENT: LOCATION:



PARTNER: DESIGN:





REALISATION:

Municipality of Rotterdam Rotterdam, NL PDA 2009 2010

Rotterdam has started the (re)development of the City Ports, consisting of 1600 ha of unprotected land and water. The Floating Pavilion demonstrates how cities can pro-actively adapt to the effects of climate change. It has been located in the Rijnhaven until 2015 and afterwards will be floated towards another location. The building is used as exhibition and conference space and hosts the National Water Centre.

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Indoor climate concept The floating pavilion features a demand-driven climate system: at every moment in time the climate conditioning is carefully matched to the function and number of people of each space. A lot of energy and material is saved by putting it only where it’s needed. Solar transmission is regulated by applying reflective printing to the foil. To prevent over-heating in summer, large parts of the top and bottom of the domes can be opened to create a stack effect, which provides a refreshing breeze without using mechanical ventilation. Cooling with solar heat Vital parts of the building, such as the auditorium, are situated within an insulated inner shell. In this area additional measures have been taken to achieve an energy efficient indoor climate. Solar heat is used to cool. This sounds contradictory, but it relies on a common process used by our skin to cool our body: transpiration. The evaporation of liquid on the surface of our skin extracts heat from our body. In the floating pavilion the ventilation air is dried by a sorption material. When water is added it evaporates and cools down the air. It is then regenerated by heat from solar collectors. Obviously, during cold days the solar panels are used as a regular heating device. ‘Cathedral effect’ Phase Change Material (PCM) are a high-tech substitute for thick masonry walls. Similar to the heavy walls of an old church, that remains cool on a summer day, PCM’s provide a latent heat store. The difference is that the energy is absorbed by the material changing from one phase to another. This energy-intensive process results in a lightweight alternative to its ancient predecessor.

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Floating villas HARNASCHPOLDER, DELFT

For two private customers a design has been made for a floating villa in the Harnaschpolder in Delft. The villas conform to the objectives of the clients and at the same time seek mutual similarity. Living on water appeals to the imagination. No less than 30% of the Dutch population regards this new residential concept as a serious option. The ‘waterhome’ is rapidly developing into a mature house typology, with all conveniences you would find in a conventional house and a unique location on the water. The relation between the villas and the water are a key aspect of the design, both visually and physically. The terraces are right near the water and in one of the villas the water even enters the building in the form of a pool and cascade. Another aspect that is especially important for water homes is privacy. The water doesn’t allow one to put up simple fences or plant trees. Therefore, privacy has been an integral part of the design.

CLIENT: LOCATION: DESIGN:

private individual Delft, NL 2010

Floating homes HARNASCHPOLDER, DELFT

The city of Delft has developed floating houses in the new neighbourhood Harnaschpolder. Floating buildings are still a unique construction method and even more so in the Harnaschpolder, where private individuals collectively built their own dream house. Six sustainable waterhomes were developed in a water retention area. The municipality of Delft cooperated with DeltaSync and future residents in the development and realisation of this project.

Preliminary design studies

Collective private development is an alternative to large scale real estate development. The involvement of the future residents in the development stimulates quality and variety in urban development plans. In this project DeltaSync has been hired to assist the future residents in the design, and to advice on sustainability and technical floating construction issues. A strategy has been developed with building principles and restraints, subdivision plans and solutions for access and parking. Cooperation between the different stakeholders and the enormous commitment of the future residents was crucial.

CLIENT:



LOCATION: DESIGN:



REALISATION:

Municipality of Delft Delft, NL 2010 2012 - 2014

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Blue Revolution With the predicted scarcity of water, fossil fuel and food resources, the necessity to develop floating cities is greater than ever before. The current food crisis - almost 1 billion people suffer famine today - shows that world food production systems have trouble keeping up with rapid increase of global population and prosperity. Agricultural productivity is lagging because prime resources, water, phosphates and fossil fuels, are under pressure. At the same time increased urbanization will swallow up nearly a fifth of the fertile croplands by the end of this century.

Food scarcity is, above all, a land scarcity issue. If part of the future urbanization and food demand can be met by relocating it on the oceans, a sustainable solution can be offered. Floating food cities even have several additional benefits. Nutrients that are wasted by conventional cities can be reused to grow algae, fish and crops on water. The risk of flooding will be averted and opportunities are created to apply new technologies of water and energy production.

Especially now, in times of crises, a new and convincing perspective that enables us to correct the errors of cities on land is vital. In order to create cities where people can live truely more sustainable and with a clear conscience.

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Seasteading Implementation Plan RESEARCH AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN

Floating cities have been proposed by designers, researchers and organizations all over the world as a solution to the expected effects of climate change and land scarcity, or as a way to create opportunities for societal and political change. While the number of visions and designs for floating cities is impressive, the actual implementation to date remains limited to small-scale demonstration projects. The Seasteading Institute however is working on a business case to develop the first seastead.

DeltaSync was invited to join this process and to think about the development strategy, to make a contemporary concept design and a rough cost calculation of this first seastead. The main findings and recommendations are put together in a report; the Seasteading Implementation Plan. CLIENT: LOCATION:

The Seasteading Institute, USA (CA) Anywhere

Growth strategy

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Rijnhavenpark ROTTERDAM

In cooperation with the INHolland University of Applied Sciences, DeltaSync developed a masterplan for redevelopment of the ‘Rijnhaven’ harbor in Rotterdam. A floating park, consisting of islands that host a great variety of functions: flexible office space, sport facilities, a swimming pool, a floating market, restaurants and a theatre. The ambition is to create a future proof concept for floating recreation.

The project will generate extra jobs, will stimulate entrepreneurship and a wide variety of study and research topics for students of the universities in the area. The ambition of the Rijnhavenpark is to create an inspiring and future urban concept that enhances the reputation of Rotterdam as an innovative, sustainable, vibrant and livable city. CLIENT:

Local inhabitants, companies and students are involved in the realization of this plan. They will take part in management, programming and development, which adds to the sense of community. The floating islands are constructed from economically standardized elements. The fact that the islands are floating gives the opportunity to create a flexible urban plan, which can be realized in several phases and can be adapted to future developments.

LOCATION: DESIGN:

Stichting Rijnhavenpark / INHolland Rijnhaven, Rotterdam, NL 2010

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Floating district PAMPUSHAVEN, ALMERE

The objective of the study is a floating district in Almere Pampushaven. This area is available now as a temporary exposition of a floating district. FloatingLife has been granted use of Pampushaven area for 10 years. After this period various parts of the expo can be dismantled and moved elsewhere. Pampushaven area is reserved for 10 years, as a testing ground for sustainable floating development. The project aims at exploring new spatial possibilities of this new kind of urbanization and investigate technologies that enable flexible and self-sufficient cities in the future. In order to close the metabolic cycle of the district, the use of natural resources and waste production is minimized.

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CLIENT: LOCATION: DESIGN:

FloatingLife Pampushaven, Almere, NL 2011

Roadshow

UrbanWaterScan

WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE CITY OF THE FUTURE

FLOOD PROOF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

The Roadshow ‘Water Management in the City of the Future’ has been developed by DeltaSync in collaboration with Tauw and Deltares as part of the Living with Water program. The roadshow is an interactive workshop where professionals are challenged to think about future roles and tasks in the realisation of innovations in the watercity of the future.

The hustle and bustle of everyday life and the rise of the 24-hour economy creates a growing need for space, peace and quiet. This leads to the departure of certain income groups out of the cities to regain rural life near nature and water. Cities suffer from a decrease in population diversity.

The roadshow has already been organised at various water boards, a municipality and a housing association. Topics of the roadshow include: decentralized concepts of water management, water as an energy source, and water proof urban development. The roadshow consists of the following components 1. Innovative concepts of urban watermanagement 2. New tasks and new roles of water management organisations 3. Benchmark transition potential 4. Drawing up guiding principles for the transition to more sustainable water management

An attractive proposition that cities can offer is the combination of living quality similar to the countryside and a short distance to the city. In order to determine what possibilities exist in regaining population diversification for cities, DeltaSync developed the UrbanWaterScan. This tool gives insight into the qualities and preconditions that must be met in order to transform these city locations into suitable water living areas. Various aspects are studied, such as future flood predictions and scenarios, water storage demands and fuctional and spatial qualities. In commission of the municipality of Arnhem 8 locations have been examined to determine the top three suitable locations for urban development on water.

CLIENTS: LOCATION: CLIENTS:

LOCATION:

Waterboard De Dommel Waterboard Rivierenland Waterboard Rijnland Waterkader Haaglanden Eigen Haard Anywhere

Municipality of Arnhem Arnhem

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Easy Water Living DEVELOPMENT

In cooperation with a private investor new concepts for sustainable floating neighbourhoods have been designed. The aim was to develop inspiring visions for future floating homes and take the next step towards floating developments that are more cost efficient but at the same time energy efficient and aesthetically pleasing. In this project an ensemble of five terraced floating homes was designed. The radial layout provides optimal orientation towards sunlight, while at the same time privacy is realised. An important objective of the design was to create more comfort than current floating homes. The large platform prevents oscillation on the water and the submerged part of the floating structure is used as a parking area. This enables residents to park right at their home. CLIENT: LOCATION: DESIGN:

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private individual generic 2010

Floating Utility Unit DEVELOPMENT

Living on water offers great opportunities for flexible and sustainable housing, but utilities are currently a major obstacle in large scale floating urban developments. A question that remains is how to supply these neighbourhoods with water, electricity and communication network facilities. The floating utility unit provides a flexible framework for delivering local utility services, and at same time provides floating infrastructure. The Floating Utility Unit is not to be regarded as a definitive product. It is rather a toolbox that can be utilized at different locations with specific demands. The consideration of sustainable technology and feasibility is used as a basic principle. A business enterprise or foundation exploits the Utility Units, so that from a user perspective there is hardly any difference with regular public utilities. This system features plug’n’play connections and integrated piping and cables provides a flexible solution to utility services for floating urbanization.

CLIENT: LOCATION: DESIGN:

Housing Experiments Steering Group (SEV) generic 2008

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ModulAIR VISION

With a multidisciplinary team of students and professionals of DWA, Edifico and RoseliekvanderVelden, DeltaSync designed a self-sustaining floating house. This design was an entry in the design competition ‘Duurzaam drijvend wonen’ from stadsdeel Oost-Watergraafsmeer, Amsterdam. The floating house is inspired by the symbiotic relation between tree and fungus. The house is constructed of two parts: the backbone as the tree and the capsules as the fungus. The backbone supports the capsules and transports ‘nutrients’ such as energy, water and waste. Through symbiosis they form a comfortable living environment. The backbone is the core of the house; all fixed functions and installations are located here. The shape of the backbone is optimised for wind and solar energy production. The windmill for example produces twice as much energy as in a normal situation. The house can be turned so the orientation will always be optimal for energy production. The capsules provide free and adaptable space. The backbone, capsules and floaters are modulAIR, so the house can adapt to changing needs of the inhabitants. The house is built completely from flexible and demountable parts. Occupants will become co-owner of a company, ‘Rent to Recycle’, where the parts are manufactured and repaired collectively. This will ensure that every part will return to its cycle at the end of its lifespan.

CLIENT: LOCATION: DESIGN:

Stadsdeel Oost-Watergraafsmeer Amsterdam, NL 2010

floor plan

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FloodProBE RESEARCH

FloodProBE is a European research project with the objective of providing cost-effective solutions for flood risk reduction in urban areas. FloodProBE aims to develop technologies, methods and tools for flood risk assessment and for the practical adaptation of new and existing buildings, infrastructure and flood defences. This will lead to a better understanding of vulnerability, flood resilience and defence performance. This research supports implementation of the Floods Directive through the development of more effective flood risk management strategies. The work is being undertaken in close partnership with industry, and is utilising pilot sites across Europe, to help provide practical industry guidance and cost effective construction solutions. The objectives and principal aims are to improve methods for assessing the vulnerability to flooding of the urban environment, especially by extending conventional methods with the ability to assess indirect impacts of damage to networks and assets with a high value density. Better understanding and assessment methods of urban flood defence performance will help to develop suitable protection measures and to increase the costeffectiveness of future investments. New construction technologies and concepts are developed and tested and the results are to be disseminated to support implementation of the EU Flood Directive.

CLIENT: PROJECT:

European Union, KP7 2009-2012

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Rijnenburg WATER AND AREA DEVELOPMENT

Multifunctional use is often mentioned as a promising solution to realise water retention space in densely populated delta areas. DeltaSync has researched the possibilities for multifunctional use in Rijnenburg, close to Utrecht, for the Water board De Stichtse Rijnlanden. In this project, the possibilities to combine water retention with other functions, such as recreation and housing, were explored. A specific topic is the realisation of floodproof buildings. A spatial plan is made with different types of floodproof housing types. The economical and management feasibility was also investigated.

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FLOATING

FLOATING IN PEAT

ON STILTS

ECO DWELLING MOUND

DRY FLOODPROOFING

FLOOD SHELTER

CLIENT:



LOCATION: PROJECT:

Water board De Stichtse Rijnlanden Rijnenburg, NL 2011

Water & Mobility RESEARCH

The ‘Water and mobility’ study investigated the possible contribution of urban water systems in improving accessibility of historic city centres of delta cities in the Netherlands. Many cities suffer from severe accessibility problems and heavy congestion. Expanding the road infrastructure needs space which is often scarce. The existing water system offers flexible possibilities to improve the accessibility of cities. In the Netherlands, water was the most important mode of transportation until the 19th century. In that period, the train became more important and many canals were filled in, because of hygienic problems and water pollution. However, in many cities the main water infrastructure is still present. In addition, many Dutch cities have plans to restore the historic water systems.

CLIENT: LOCATIONS: PROJECT:

The Netherlands Architecture Fund 8 Dutch cities 2009

In eight Dutch cities the feasibility of using the urban water system for mobility was studied. This was done in a co-creation approach with the local municipal governments and included expert interviews and design workshops. The historic use of water for mobility was studied by evaluation of historic documents. Subsequently, the current use of the water system was evaluated and current water retention and accessibility problems were analysed. Future possibilities to utilize water systems for better accessibility were developed by a ‘research by design.’ method. This included technical feasibility studies and spatial designs of several alternatives. Finally, general conclusions were made and the applicability of the results was evaluated.

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LocationScan Floating Icon

NEN Advice

CITY PORTS, ROTTERDAM

In preparation of the development of the Floating Pavilion in Rotterdam a study was conducted on the relevant spatial, technical and policy aspects with regard to floating construction. Furthermore, the City Ports area in Rotterdam was investigated, in order to find the most suitable location for a floating demonstration project.

In 2009 the Netherlands Standardization Institute (NEN) initiated a project that aims at developing new building standards for floating buildings. The new NTA (Industry Technical Agreement) will focus on aspects such as structural stability, draught, canting, accessibility, fire protection and mooring facilities.

The LocationScan has been executed in two phases. In the first phase, a shortlist of possible locations has been made through a study on boundary conditions in the City Ports area. This encompasses physical (depth, waves) and juridical (ownership, regulations) boundary condition. In the second phase the most suitable locations were determined by applying criteria and a functional analysis of the planning area.

DeltaSync is one of the two design firms that are participating in this project and acts as a consultant and sounding board concerning floating construction. The initiative was started to help solve issues in current regulation and legislation. In 2011 the final NTA for floating structures will be finalized and published. The aim is twofold: to define boundary conditions where necessary, but also try and find opportunities to extend the limits of current legislation.

CLIENT: PROJECT:

Municipality of Rotterdam 2008

CLIENT: PERIODE:

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Netherlands Standardisation Institute (NEN) 2010-2011

Collective Commission

Innovative Water Management

HARNASCHPOLDER, DELFT

TECHNOPOLIS, DELFT

The city of Delft is planning to develop floating houses in the Harnaschpolder, a new neighbourhood close to Den Hoorn. Six houses will be realized in a water retention area. The municipality of Delft cooperates with DeltaSync and future residents in the design and realisation of this project.

Science park Technopolis in Delft aims to attract the top businesses, focussing on innovative themes such as energy, water, climate and delta technology. Consequently it is of great importance to make these themes visible in the area. DeltaSync conducted an exploratory study on the potential contribution of innovative water management to Technopolis.

Collective private development is an alternative to large scale real estate development. The involvement of the future residents in the development stimulates quality and variety in urban development plans. In this project DeltaSync has been hired to assist the future residents in the design, and to advice on sustainability and technical floating construction issues. A strategy has been developed with building principles and restraints, subdivision plans and solutions for access and parking. Tasks: • Process management: develop phasing and time schedule of the project, identifying and engaging key stakeholders, communication with future residents • Consultancy: technical advice on floating structures, construction costs, sustainability, financing and permits, water quality issues and utilities. • Co-creation: assisting residents in the design and development of their personal floating house. • Design competition: organization of design contest for students from regional educational institutions.

CLIENT: TIMEFRAME:

The report includes innovations to use water for mobility, as energy source and for floating urbanization. Sustainable urban water management strategies were proposed that will contribute to a more sustainable water system and the international prestige of Technopolis as a frontrunner on climate adaptation, sustainability and water management.

CLIENT:

Science Port Holland

PROJECT: 2010

Municipality of Delft 2009-2012

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KARINA CZAPIEWSKA

BART ROEFFEN

DIRECTOR PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Karina Czapiewska is a specialist in the field of multidisciplinary area development, project management and sustainable development. She graduated at the faculty of Architecture at Delft University of Technology with a minor in Sustainable Development (TIDO) and is responsible for business development, sales and consultancy on feasibility studies, flood proof area development and living on water. Since she first learned about the possibility of floating cities in during her study she committed herself to realize the first self supporting floating city in the world.

As principle architect Bart Roeffen was in charge of the design and construction supervision of the Floating Pavilion in Rotterdam. This is considered to be one of the leading floating projects and a milestone in the technological development of floating urbanization. Advanced 3D technology was adopted in order to translate spatial concepts into reality and optimize complex shapes. Roeffen is driven to innovate construction industry in terms of production and sustainable development.

RUTGER DE GRAAF MANAGING DIRECTOR

Rutger de Graaf is civil engineer and specialist in the field of floating urbanisation and sustainability. He graduated cum laude at the faculty of Civil Engineering of Delft University of Technology. In 2009 he finished his PhD thesis (cum laude) on innovations in urban water management to reduce the vulnerability of cities. He holds a position as Professor Adaptive Construction at the Rotterdam University of Applied Science. At the company he focuses on water management, strategy, innovation and sustainable urbanization combined with floating constructions.

BARBARA DAL BO’ ZANON ARCHITECT AND RESEARCHER

Barbara Dal Bo’ Zanon graduated at University IUAV of Venice with master degree in ‘Sustainable Architecture’. After her graduation she joined DeltaSync’s team, first as an intern, and later as employee. She worked on a project for a floating district in Almere Pampushaven. Her design approach is sustainability driven, developing the project from the definition of its goals, analyzing local resources and considering the project’s impacts and mitigations.

In the Media

Drijvend icoon voor de stad in Rijnhaven In de Rijnhaven komt komend jaar een opvallend nieuw bouwwerk: een complex van drie drijvende halve bollen. Het krijgt een hoogte van 12 meter, een totaal vloeroppervlak van vier tennisbanen en is in zijn geheel verplaatsbaar. De eerste vijf jaar zal het klimaatbestendige paviljoen dienstdoen als expositieen ontvangstruimte. Wethouder Bolsius (Haven, Financiën, Buitenruimte en Organisatie) is

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deTECHNOLOGIEkrant

DHV SANITEERT 80 STEDEN INDONESIË

DHV en de Indonesische dochter PT MLD hebben een contract ondertekend voor de sanitatie van tachtig steden. Het ingenieursbureau gaat strategieën ontwikkelen en ontwerpstudies opstellen voor de afvalwaterbehandeling, ontwatering en verwerking van huisvuil. DHV is ook betrokken bij de uitvoering. Het project is onderdeel van het Accelerated Sanitation Development Program van de Indonesische overheid voor 330 steden, dat is begroot op ongeveer 3,7 miljard euro. Het contract levert DHV tien miljoen euro op. Volgens projectleider Jan Oomen is de sanitatie hard nodig. ‘Indonesië kent rond de 230 miljoen inwoners. Slechts 1 % daarvan is aangesloten op riolering en 4 % heeft geen betrouwbaar functionerend privé- of openbaar toilet tot zijn beschikking.’ www.dhv.com

Slechts 1 % van de 230 miljoen inwoners van Indonesië is aangesloten op riolering. SHELL GAAT IN BIOBRANDSTOFFEN

Shell heeft in principe een samenwerkingsovereenkomst gesloten met het Braziliaanse Cosan, een van de grootste producenten van biobrandstoffen ter wereld. Het olieconcern investeert de komende jaren 1,2 miljard euro in de nieuwe onderneming, waaronder ook de 2740 benzinestations van Shell vallen. De joint venture krijgt een marktaandeel van 9,3 % in de Braziliaanse ethanolmarkt. Cosan verwerkt rietsuiker tot ethanol, dat wordt gemengd met benzine. Shell wil biomethanol uit de stengels halen, dat in tegenstelling tot suiker niet tot voedsel wordt verwerkt. www.shell.com

interview/offshore Drijvend bouwen is alternatief voor verstedelijking deltagebieden

Rotterdam op de Maas Bouwen op open water is de droom van DeltaSync, dat in mei een drijvend paviljoen in de Rotterdamse haven oplevert. Dr.ir. Jan van Kessel, productontwikkelaar bij GustoMSC, ziet nog niet zo snel drijvende steden verschijnen. ‘Maar met hoogtesterktestaal en luchtkussens moet dat haalbaar zijn.’ - Desiree Hoving Nederland bestaat voor ongeveer 18 % uit water. ‘Dat is een enorme oppervlakte die nu niet volledig wordt benut’, vindt ir. Bart Roeffen van DeltaSync. Volgens de bouwkundig ingenieur is dat een gemiste kans, omdat ons land chronisch last heeft van een gebrek aan woonruimte en tegelijkertijd al het water een plek moet zien te geven. De stijgende zeespiegel en de bodemdaling maken dit DeltaSync bouwt achter de voormalige Rotterdamse probleem alleen maar ingeDroogdok Maatschappij een drijvend paviljoen. wikkelder. ‘Om ook in de toekomst veilig te kunnen geen ontwerpen getest.’ ook drijvend kan blijven wonen, is drijvend worden uitgevoerd. Luchtkussens blijken niet nodig in bouwen een mooie oplosTot nu toe was zo’n rustig water, zoals in Rotterdam, sing’, redeneert de creatief lengte ondenkbaar, waar de buigmomenten met een directeur van het jonge beomdat de landings- normale constructie op te vangen drijf uit Delft. In 2006 won baan doormidden zijn. Het systeem dat DeltaSync Deltasync een prijsvraag zou breken door de gebruikt is Flexbase, voortgekomen van ingenieursbureau Royal kracht van de goluit een samenwerking tussen Dura Drijvende constructie op zee van dr.ir. Jan van Kessel. Haskoning met het idee ven op zee. Vermeer en Unidek. EPS-blokken voor een drijvende stad, Van Kessel bedacht dat luchtkusworden op het water met elkaar meerpalen in het water, omdat het die niet simpelweg uit afzonderlijke verbonden, zodat een drijvende sens deze buiging wel eens zouden Nederlandse Bouwbesluit dezelfde waterwoningen zou bestaan, maar werkvloer ontstaat. Na dit twee à kunnen verminderen. De drijvende regels aan waterwoningen stelt als uit grote drijfelementen met plaats drie lagen herhaald te hebben, komt Polderbaan kreeg daarom de vorm aan huizen op het land. Over drie voor ongeveer zestig woningen. vervolgens een laag met uitsparinmaanden moet het paviljoen al klaar van een omgekeerde schoenendoos, DeltaSync mag nu een proeve van met wanden van 65 m lang die in gen, zodat een grid ontstaat. Dit zijn na amper een bouwproces van bekwaamheid afleggen achter het wordt volgestort met beton, omdat het water lagen. De luchtkussens een jaar. Als het project in Rotterrein van de voormalige RotEPS alleen niet stevig genoeg is. Ten onder de 25 m dikke stalen bodem terdam succesvol uitpakt, dan wil terdamse Droogdok Maatschappij. slotte komt aan de zijkanten een bevan de doos zorgen dan voor het DeltaSync ook het open water beHier bouwt het bedrijf een drijvend schermlaag van prefabbeton en aan drijfvermogen. Bovendien vangt de bouwen. Roeffen fantaseert al over paviljoen: een tentoonstellingslucht in de kussens de golven in het de bovenkant een betonnen vloer. een zelfvoorzienende stad met een ruimte, congresgebouw met vergawater op, waardoor de druk op de Het paviljoen, een geodetische koeeigen riolering, drinkwater, energiederzalen, auditorium en openbaar landingsbaan constant blijft. pelconstructie, wordt bekleed met voorziening en drijvende wegen. stadsplein in één. Volgens Roeffen twee à drie lagen ETFE-folie, een De promovendus kreeg gelijk: met is het de eerste keer dat zo’n groot transparante dunne kunststof die in een luchtkussen blijkt het buigmoPolderbaan gebouw van 24 bij 46 m op het wagewicht maar een honderdste weegt ment 64 % kleiner. Toch is zo’n staMaar dr.ir. Jan van Kessel ziet een ter verrijst. Het stadsplein komt nog len Polderbaan nog niet reëel. Volvergeleken met glas. Door tussen de dergelijke stad niet zo snel in Neeens op een apart eiland van 24 bij gens Van Kessels berekeningen gaat lagen folie lucht te pompen ontstaat derland ontstaan. Hij promoveerde 24 m. ‘Dit is de eerste stap naar een begin februari aan de TU Delft op namelijk niet de baan zelf, maar de een waterdicht en isolerend geheel. grotere drijvende stadsuitbreiding’, Een drijvende stad is dus minder een rekenmodel om grote drijvende bodem onder de wanden scheuren. meent Roeffen. ‘Rotterdam wil zijn futuristisch dan op het eerste gezicht constructies op zee te bouwen. ‘We ‘Met meer staal, hoogtesterktestaal havens inrichten met drijvende gelijkt. Binnenkort wordt het paviljoen of een andere opstelling van de zijn een baggerland dat niets liever bouwen. In de Heijse haven aan de luchtkussens zou het wel haalbaar van DeltaSync op de World Expo dan land opspuit’, legt de scheepsMaas doen we de eerste test om te zijn’, denkt de kersverse promo2010 in Shanghai gepresenteerd als bouwkundig ingenieur uit, ‘en we kijken of dat idee levensvatbaar is.’ zijn geneigd om een techniek te vendus, die inmiddels productontmogelijke oplossing voor de toeneDe jonge ondernemers van het in mende verstedelijking in kwetsbare kiezen die we goed kennen.’ Toch wikkelaar is bij het offshorebedrijf 2006 opgerichte bedrijf zijn verdeltagebieden, waar in 2030 de helft onderzocht hij of de 3,8 km lange GustoMSC in Schiedam, ‘maar ik plicht om hun twee eilanden met van de wereldbevolking woont. heb alleen een rekenmodel gemaakt en 160 m brede Polderbaan, de de wal te verbinden. Het stadsplein voor toekomstige constructies en www.deltasync.nl langste landingsbaan van Schiphol, wordt zelfs verankerd aan twee

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met de flow.’ Beiden hebben al veel verschillende banen en opleidingen geprobeerd, ze herkennen het probleem dat veel jongeren hebben om school of werk te vinden. Erik: ‘Het is wel moeilijk, maar je moet er gewoon voor vechten. Het komt echt niet zomaar uit

trots op de plannen: ‘Het paviljoen wordt een nieuw drijvend icoon v oor de stad, 't is klimaatbestendig, innovatief, duurzaam en flexibel. Een eerste klinkend resultaat van onze ambities op het gebied van drijvend bouwen.’ In het paviljoen komt naast een expositieruimte een ontvangstruimte, zegt Bolsius. ‘En wellicht breiden we het in de toekomst verder uit met nog meer modules.’ Het paviljoen verenigt de Rotterdamse doelen om de uitstoot van het broeikasgas CO2 te halveren en om de stad

ook in de toekomst klimaatbestendig te houden. Het gebouw is door zijn opvallende vorm zeer herkenbaar en kan vanaf de Erasmusbrug gezien worden. Het paviljoen zuivert zijn eigen toiletwater. Wat er dan overblijft, kan worden geloosd in het oppervlaktewater. Bijzonder is ook het folie waarmee de koepels worden bekleed. dit zogenaamde EFTE-folie is 100 keer lichter dan glas, wat het heel geschikt maakt voor drijvende gebouwen. Het drijvend paviljoen is een ontwerp van Deltasync/PublicDomain Architecten en wordt gebouwd door Dura Vermeer. Het zal worden opgeleverd in mei 2010.

hanteren om problemen van jongeren te signaleren. Op deze manier kunnen hulpverleners sneller ingrijpen en adequate hulp bieden. Donderdag acht oktober ondertekenden zestien gemeenten en twintig regionale instellingen het SISA-convenant. Dankzij de verwijsindex ‘SISA’, wat staat voor Stadsregionaal Instrument Sluitend Aanpak, blijven jongeren beter in beeld en kunnen hulpverleners over de gemeentegrenzen heen signaleren, informeren en activiteiten op elkaar afstemmen.

Hele regio SISA is al sinds 1999 in Rotterdam actief. In 2008 leverde dit ruim 2000 cases op waarbij intensief werd samengewerkt om adequate hulp te bieden aan kinderen en hun ouders. Nu

tot Spijkenisse. ‘Om jongeren goed te kunnen helpen, is een soepele samenwerking noodzakelijk tussen alle partijen in de jeugdketen. Het is belangrijk dat instanties en professionals elkaar weten te vinden’, zo zegt de Rotterdamse wethouder Peter Lamers, tevens portefeuillehouder stadsregionale jeugdzorg.

tonic tour d the situatio also making tions. Crane crane platfo

lition in 199 rior and int identified th

they design that appear

Ieder Kind Wint De samenwerking is een onderdeel van het programma ‘Ieder Kind Wint’. Dit programma brengt gemeenten en instanties samen om de hulp en zorg aan kinderen te verbeteren. Door problemen sneller te signaleren kan eerder worden ingegrepen en kan ook sneller de juiste zorg aan kinderen worden geboden.

The building’s indoor climate is regulated by a dou controlled glazing, whilst openings in the floor and provide ventilation. In the summer, Crane Track is c the colder months, the relatively warm water from system. In 2008, The Crane Track won the MIPIM Gr Special Jury award, the ULI European Award for Exc

Photo: deltasYnc

Zeker in tijden van crisis is het voor jongeren belangrijk om met een diploma de arbeidsmarkt op te gaan. Gemeente, bedrijfsleven en onderwijs hebben daarom de handen ineen geslagen. Met het Akkoord van Rotterdam wordt een groot aantal maatregelen ingezet om de economische crisis te bestrijden. Dit moet de stad de komende jaren zo’n 1.500 extra banen en 2.000 stage- en leerwerkplaatsen opleveren. Kijk ook op: www.akkoordvanrotterdam.nl.

Kijk voor meer informatie op www.iederkindwint.nl.

Global Award for Excellence. The Award is acknowle platform in the area of land use.

Deltasync developed a Floating Pavilion for the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

TV Veilig:Their aanranding en brandactie decentralized energy facilities. concept for a Floating City

The design makes extensive use of advanced technologies in the areas of climate design, construction and recycling. “The sphere is a natural form with an optimal relationship between total surface area and volume, which delivers energy savings, creates an optimal interior climate and offers stability on the water. The cover of the interior sphere further enhances the desired effects,” Kuijper commented. After the World Expo the building can easily be moved and reused. It may actually end up in Rotterdam’s Harbor district.

The plans not only call for homes to be built on a stable floating construction, but also and cooling functions. Deltasync roads, bridges, parking lots and Amsterdam and Almere in 2007. gaan bij huurwo-with the Stichting Op vrijdagnacht 26 juni is op first het Delftis working even a complete football It won prize in therookmelders Delta uitdelen ningen in het Oude Noorden. Het is Volkshuisvesting seplein, bij het Centraal Station, een Experimenten stadium. Kuijper explained, Competition, an international van een grote(SEV) preventiecamjonge vrouw aangerand en mishandeld. to supply clean drinking “By utilizing floating technoloprize awarded by onderdeel the engineering pagne in de wijk. Bewoners krijgen Rond kwart over één firm loopt zij achter het water and produce electricity and gies you remain flexible so that of Royal Haskoning for a Drijvende stadswijken Nationale Nederlanden gebouw langs. rookmelders en met brandweermannen ‘self-sufficient, floating energy you can start out small and then sustainable solution to the probHet drijvend paviljoen is het eerste re- Twee mannen komen haar tegemoet en maken ze een rondje door de woning units’, for a certain number of easily add to that to produce a lems caused by climate change sultaat van Rotterdam Climate Proof een van de mannen spreidt zijn armen, om mogelijke brandonveilige situaties the homes. Floating water homes neighborhood, district or city.” in densely populated areas. (onderdeel van Rotterdam Climate grijpt haar vast en betast haar. De vrouw vast te stellen. in watery areas should be easy to As part of a pilot program for Floating City is a futuristicdaarop een kopInitiative) om klimaatbestendig te verzet zich en krijgtThe link touitgesimilar energy facilities. sustainable urban development, looking concept grond. De twee- that bouwen in buitendijkse gebieden. De stoot. Ze slaat tegen de TV represents Veilig wordt elke dinsdag Deltasync developed a Floating sustainable, innovative urban gemeente heeft plannen voor het bou- de man trekt de dader vervolgens mee in zonden om 17.35 uur op TV RijnShanghai World Expo Station. Van wen van drijvende stadswijken in het de richting van het Centraal mond en wordt om het uur herhaald. Pavilion for the Shanghai World development in densely popugemaakt, Stadshavensgebien. Mensen zullen in de dader zijn camerabeelden Bekijk to de uitzendingen op Expo 2010. The building, the lated areas. It is adapted Withook its floating buildings, de uitzending. deze wijken op het water wonen, die worden getoond inclimate floating VIP Haven, is, for the change andwww.veilig.mediarotterdam.nl. presents Deltasync wants to add a new boodschappen doen, werken en recthesundaytimes.co.uk/environment most part, self-sufficient, sustainvarious technologies for sustaindimension to the area of urban Brandactie reëren. able and creates new space for able living, which means that it planning. “Building on water, Meer informatie en foto-impressies op De brandweermannen van kazerne the Shanghai metropolis. The not only offers solutions for the with its multiple land use, offers www.rotterdamclimateinitiative.nl. Baan hebben een bijzonder klusje: ze design has a distinctive architecresults of climate change but also not only extra capacity but also Robert and Ellen Stravers, pictured Riding the tide tonic form.with Thetheir pavilion for the causes. In an environmen- flexibility in the construction daughterconsists Mijke, live in a Dutch architects have designed a new floating home near Amsterdam of five bubble-shaped domes tally friendly manner, the process,” notes Maarten Kuijper generation of floating buildings which house a large auditorium, Floating City will make use of of Deltasync. Vegetaton wall Lightweight materials Cooling a 3D-cinema, an exhibition space both surface water and rainwater, “A floating home is easier to Plants help regulate humidity The dome facade is made Heat from the sun is and a sky bar, situated on top of as well as wind and sunnoise energy. thatdurable is and aid insulation move than a building of lightweight, foil absorbed by solar collectors the highest sphere. The water offers possibilities for anchored to the ground.” Withvoor theeen help of heat pumps, the is based van on their housing In de komende uitzending TV Veilig onderproject meer aandacht surface water creates the heating built on thevan IJmeer between aanranding en mishandeling een jonge vrouw.

26.12.10

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

7

Rotterdam’s harbors

Greenhouse stand-off hits investors Danny Fortson

THE plains of southern Spain provide a cautionary tale for Britain’s burgeoning low-carbon industry. Spain is the largest solar power producer in the world thanks to a generous tariff regime set by the government years ago, when the economy was booming. With the recession, the government has pushed through a series of unpopular measures. The latest, due to be passed in the next few days, is a drastic cut in solar payouts. Investors, who stand to lose hundreds of millions, are furious. The Spanish subsidies are not unique. This month the UK government introduced a package of subsidies that it says will fuel a £200 billion “green” makeover of the power system. All of these measures have been taken against the backdrop of binding pollution reduction targets, which were enshrined in the United Nations’ Kyoto Protocol. These were supposed to be renewed last year at the Copenhagen climate conference. After those talks disappointed, hopes shifted to the latest talks, held at the start of

‘‘

WE DO NOT SEE ANY PROSPECT OF A SECOND INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENT BY 2013 this month in Cancun, Mexico. Those, too, failed to deliver. The Kyoto agreement lapses at the end of 2012. The Cancun failure has led some countries to question the wisdom of pushing ahead with costly, taxpayer-funded green programmes, while others remain on the sidelines. Critically, neither America nor China, which together account for two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions, are signatories to Kyoto and both face fierce domestic opposition to signing up to

costs of complying with emissions rules. Mark Lewis, a carbon analyst at Deutsche Bank, said: “We do not see any prospect of a second international commitment period being in place by January 1, 2013. Indeed, we think it is now likely to take some years for a new legally binding global deal to be negotiated.” That is likely to slow the progress of the conversion to new low-carbon forms of energy such as wind, biomass and solar. Lewis added: “We do not think there will be sufficient appetite among European Union member states for raising the EU’s 2020 emissions-reduction target to 30% [as previously proposed] over the next 12 months.” Which brings us back to the Spanish situation. Every form of low-carbon power is more expensive than dirty fossil-fuel plants. Thus governments around Europe, which has led the way by putting in place tough targets and penalties if they are missed, have introduced subsidies to convince firms to invest in expensive new plants. Offshore wind power, for example, costs three times as much as a gas-fired plant capable of producing the same amount of electricity. Yet with the global climate deal sputtering, the danger for investors is that they may plough billions into an industry propped up by public subsidies that, if the situation requires, can later be pulled. That is the lesson investors in Spain’s solar market now face. There was one silver lining at Cancun for Britain’s green investors. One of the few deals that was agreed there will see the creation of a $100 billion superfund to transfer low-carbon technologies to developing countries. Last year the British government predicted that the green revolution would produce 400,000 jobs and help lead the country out of recession. So far, few of the promised jobs have materialised. A formalised fund to funnel green technology and industry abroad would certainly help. Not surprisingly, there is still a way to go before it becomes reality. Michael Wilkins, at Standard & Poor’s, the credit rating agency, said: “We understand that the source of these funds has still not been determined. Equally unclear is the method by which to engage

8

Floating base Polystyrene construction guarantees buoyancy

Rotterdam has the ambition to become the Clean Tech Delta of Europe. At the end of 2008, the city launched its plans for sustainable innovations and floating buildings, complete with an innovative Climate Campus, a

research institute de energy and water m The city expects tha ments will be paid b because people from rest of the world are requesting the incre edge and informatio tions of the world’s in low-lying delta r solutions to the pro produces are big bu indeed. Just like ma harbor cities, many are moving out of t harbor districts. The of the Tweede Maa mouth of the Maas trans-shipment com related industries fu sea. This means mo new homes and offi old harbor districts. 2025 call for the co some 5,000 new ho harbor district area some 16 square hec

HOLLAND REAL ESTATE YEARBOOK 2009

Heat from the river Energy is extracted from river water using heat pumps

Waste treatment Reclaimed water from filtration system is used for toilets

Microclimate concept Temperatures can be changed and regulated between the domes

Beat the floods, build a house on the water Dutch architects are trying to drum up interest in buoyant homes, reports Tom Bawden

F

or Ellen and Robert Stravers, living in a floating house is like being on a permanent holiday. They live in an arc of 57 floating homes, around an inlet just southeast of Amsterdam. A boat moored outside their three-storey house lets them sail into the city. “In the summer there is a swimming club, and last winter people were skating,” said Robert, a retired pharmacist, sitting at a long wooden table in the couple’s light, airy living room. “About once a month, there’s a storm. The doors swing open and shut — I like that,” Robert said. But most of the time the house is perfectly stable. About 300 water houses have popped up in the Netherlands in the past few years, mostly alongside the tens of thousands of houseboats that have been a staple of the country’s canal system for the past century. It is estimated that another 2,000 floating homes are likely to be built over the next five years. With 40% of its land below sea level, the Netherlands is particularly at risk from rising sea levels and growing populations that in the coming decades will cram a lot more people into a lot less space that has an inc-

sage around the world and reckon that Britain, too, could eventually have a number of floating settlements. “Initially, we want to extend existing cities into the water,” said Bart Roeffen at Delta Sync, a specialist firm of architects in Delft. “But my dream is to realise an entire floating city. The Maldives is slowly being submerged and with this technology we could make new islands and combine them with artificial coral reefs.” Roeffen, 30, has just completed one of his biggest waterbased projects to date, a floating pavilion he designed in the Rijnhaven, a harbour near the centre of Rotterdam. The three-dome structure is 12 metres high with enough floorspace to cover four tennis courts. It’s the biggest floating building in Holland so far, and is thought to be the biggest in the world. The pavilion is an experiment to address the engineering challenges involved in building large floating structures that don’t sink. It has attracted architects from across the world who want to follow Holland’s lead. It is based on the geodesic structure popularised by the American engineer Richard Buckminster Fuller and com-

meated cells and is topped off with a layer of pure concrete. The technology is developing and allowing architects to get more ambitious with their plans. Koen Olthuis, chief architect at Waterstudio, based in Rijswijk, a small town in the province of South Holland, is working on plans for a floating golf course and a floating mosque in the Maldives. He is also developing a city for 120,000 people in southern China. About a quarter of the population will be housed in floating buildings, making it by far the biggest floating building project to date. Back home, Olthuis is planning a 2,500 metre by 500 metre floating complex in South Holland, in which half the buildings will float and the rest will be built on stilts or artificial islands. At the centre of the complex will be the Citadel, the world’s first floating apartment block, with 60 luxury flats, a car park and a floating road to the land. “The reason it’s half and half is to do with perception,” said Olthuis, who recently published Float, a book about water-based architecture. “To a Dutch guy, a floating house means a houseboat lying on the canals of Amsterdam. But if they see a combination, they see there is no difference between a building on land or a building on water and so they are happy to move in,” he said. “You have to stay close to the normal concept people have of a city. Nobody believes in a float-

ings in Britain, although there are a handful of boat-based communities, one of the largest of which is the Downings Roads Moorings on the Thames, 400 metres east of Tower Bridge. Nicholas Lacey, an architect who set up the 100-person, 40-vessel community of houseboats and garden barges, thinks there is a place for floating buildings in Britain. “Many bits of water are suitable for floating structures and it makes economic sense because they can be cost-effective. There is scope for large scale floating structures in parts of London Docklands,” he said. In a report this year, a steering group comprising top architects, civil engineers, city designers, planners, developers, policymakers, ecologists and futurologists went much further about the need for Britain to gear up architecturally to combat rising sea levels, increasingly frequent and intense storms, a growing population, and the fact that the south of England is slowly sinking. In the Facing Up to Rising Sea Levels report, Ruth Reed, president of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), declared these conditions posed an “extreme threat” and

warned that we needed to act now to avoid the certainty of “mass disruption” to our coastal communities. The report identifies Portsmouth and Hull — 25 miles from the North Sea and bisected by the River Hull — as being potentially the greatest beneficiaries of floating buildings. For Hull, the report suggests that a network of static platforms and floating structures could be built on the river around a decommissioned North Sea oil rig and old navy vessels to produce a mix of residential, recreational and commercial sites. For Portsmouth, a series of interconnected piers — hosting houses, companies and recreational spaces — could be used as a framework for additional clusters of floating communities in the sheltered waters of the local harbours. “Liverpool, Glasgow, Lowestoft, a lot of East Anglia — large parts of Britain could benefit from floating architecture,” said Dickon Robinson, chairman of Building Futures, a RIBA think tank, and a former development director at Peabody Trust, London’s largest housing association. Britain’s floating architecture enthusiasts know they

have an uphill task to persuade the many stakeholders — such as investors, local authorities and property developers — to work more closely and to increase their planning horizon from about 15 years to more like 100 years. Caroline Spelman, the environment secretary, said that at present Britain had no plans to promote floating buildings, but added that “we are always interested to see what other countries are looking at to prepare themselves for climate change”. Britain is clearly not ready for this revolution, but advocates of floating architecture hope that, by drawing attention to future problems and the part that water-based buildings can play in the solution, they have made a valuable start. Ultimately it boils down to consumer demand, which is expected to change slowly as land fills up, floods become increasingly common, floating architecture develops and people get used to the idea. SUNDAY TIMES ONLINE

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Contact For additional information, please contact: DeltaSync BV Molengraaffsingel 12-14 2629 JD Delft The Netherlands T +31 (0)15 256 1872 F +31 (0)15 744 0102 E [email protected]