Floating Village Waterbuurt West

Floating Village Waterbuurt West

Living on water is not a new phenomenon in Amsterdam, see the many houseboats in the canals of Amsterdam.

But part of the new extension of Amsterdam, IJburg, is a neighbourhood that consists entirely of floating houses. They are not ships, but built from the beginning as ordinary houses, except they float on water.

The homes in Waterbuurt West are a contemporary version of the country's traditional floating barges. They sit atop airtight concrete tubs designed to submerge no more than half a story. To ensure the homes don't float out to sea (or bump into each other), they're anchored to the lake bed by steel mooring poles.

Just like the near-by Jan Olphert Vaillantlaan, the floating houses are each designed individually, so that you get a rich variety of design and colour.

The Waterbuurt West homes are an example of what is possible in low-lying or flood prone areas, such as the Netherlands and in overcrowded cities where there's an abundance of water.

The Floating Village 'Waterbuurt West' is publicly accessible; the jetties are for pedestrians only.

Location of Floating Village Waterbuurt West Full screen map
Floating village Steigereiland Noord

Floating village Steigereiland Noord

Floating village Steigereiland Noord

Floating village Steigereiland Noord

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