Floating architecture has steadily gained momentum in recent years as architects attempt to make the most of beautiful and scenic locations, while simultaneously alleviating land pressure and minimising the risk of floods damaging properties. There are incredible designs to be found all over the world, such as Walden Raft, the transparent cabin that provides a secluded space in the centre of a French lake. The hut that sits atop the lake is modelled on the 19th century cabin constructed by American author Henry David Thoreau on Walden Pond in Massachusetts. Designed by Elise Morin and Florent Albinet, the floating hut features walls and a pitched roof made up of sections of acrylic glass and pine.

Thoreau designed and built the floating hut in 1845 as part of an experiment in self sufficiency and simple living. The emulated cabin sits on Lac De Gayme in the Auvergne region of central France, and with a 10 square metre footprint and a height of four metres, it follows the precise proportions of the original structure. The buoyancy and mobility of the cabin offer a sheltered space that never has to be too near or far from society. The architects behind the Walden Raft have described it as “something at the crossroads of art and architecture” that creatively tackles the issues of isolation and autonomy.

The shortage of available housing in London has been well documented lately, and following the design of the first amphibious house in the UK Baca architects have now unveiled a concept for floating houses in order to provide more homes for residents of the city.

The aim of the Buoyant Starts floating homes project will be to make use of the 50 miles of rivers and canals stretching across Greater London. If successful, the scheme could produce up to 7,500 affordable new homes in the centre of the city. Along with the disused canal space the prefabricated homes will be built on the 150 hectares of extra “bluefield” space in London’s marinas and docklands.

A further concept named Innovation Licence will focus on the provision of one-time building permits for projects that would typically be rejected under London’s current policy. These developments are an example of the way architects in London can make innovative use of space in order to resolve housing problems.