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Architects: Milan Řídký
- Area: 63 m²
- Year: 2012
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Photographs:Richard Navara
Text description provided by the architects. The construction of minimalist house on the water was intended to provide a highly comfortable year-round housing for two people or to be a residence for family weekends. The houseboat is built with a clear vision which can be summarized in Corbusier‘s assertion that "human habitation should be a cell with a view of the stars". The floating house is full-fledged residence, providing all features that are associated with a pleasant housing.
The Lay-out
Although the corners are rounded and the house is on a steel pontoon rather then on stilts, the inspirations for the design were functional buildings. Out of functionalism object mainly takes a simple plan upon which it is built, with an emphasis on spaciousness and effectiveness. Generous approach to space is precisely what is characteristic for the house, despite the limitations associated with its overall dimensions, which must allow transport by road. Inside you will find a living room with kitchen, bedroom with study table and really large bathroom, cloakroom and utility room.
The two biggest living rooms are connected by a staircase ended by a barrier made of clear glass, so the overall impression should evoke a small loft.
Exterior vs. Interior
Exterior and interior support each other with its design concepts. The outer cladding of trim boards is completed by stainless railings of decks and steel superstructure covered by wooden sun screen. The Interior is similar, with floors, ceilings and the main wall dominated by beech wood combined with stainless steel elements.
Significant use of stainless steel has several reasons. It supports the perception of clean and simple interior, brings objects a little closer to the character of a ship and, last but not least, it should resist moisture and changes in internal climate.
Details
Dialog between the whole and partial perceptions is on the Thessay boat natural part of the detail. Minor elements are represented for example by stylish tumblers or bulky fireplace stove in the living room. In the bedroom, offering an unusual panoramic view is no large central lighting. On the contrary, all the way around is ramping belt with LEDs that is complemented by the lamps on bedside tables. Lights generally "do not interfere", but are rather pleasant and functional. accessory. And not only in the interior but also on decks. In one of the corners of the bedroom is a glass plate in the shape of a triangle, which serves as a work table with a view of the river and the moored boats. Owners can secure the intimacy of the room thanks to remotely controlled blinds. On the upper deck there is a Jacuzzi, embedded into a wooden panelling. Inside of the panelling there is a waterproof storage area. All the firmly furniture is custom made. For example, in the living room there is a "double daybed" that floats above the floor.
Technical solution
Houseboat can be transported to other owners across the whole Europe and possibly the world. That was the main limiting aspect of its design. To take advantage of road transportation the width could not be greater than 4.2 m. The need to transport a houseboat on the river, where it is necessary to pass under the bridges, was behind a unique technical solution. The upper part, where the bedroom is, can be removed by a crane.
The rounded corners of the objects, that soften the perception of the whole building, giving the boat elegance and a slight remembrance of the shape of ships, were posing a problem. The solution, which allowed to put rounded milled wood scantlings without the risk of their splitting or destruction by the influence of weather conditions and the pressure of the building, was found.
In order to make the houseboat actually habitable all year round, it requires a perfect thermal insulation in combination with a suitable heating solution. Heating is done by fireplace stove together with floor heating panels. On any boat, and this houseboat is no exception, is important an evenly distributed balance. This is complicated not only by the roof superstructure, but also by Jacuzzi, which is off the longitudinal axis of the boat.
