flood proof house by studio peek ancona

‘flood-proof house’ by studio peek ancoraimage © bruce damonteall images courtesy of studio peek ancona

rising sea levels and seemingly more frequent tsunamis are forcing many citizens around the world to gamble their homes and lives as the future of many coastal cities remains still unclear in the years to come. san francisco-based studio peek ancona has come up with a cost-effective, comfortable and adaptable solution that could preserve many homesteads in flood-prone areas. the ‘flood-proof house’ is a prefabricated metal moment frame supported on a hybrid concrete and steel columns and foundation system designed to take up 30% less material and space on the ground floor and resist the onslaught of waves or rising sea levels of up to 12 feet. the primary structural system allows for the easy construction, transportation, and installation in any place and for the application of local materials that offer a site-specific quality to the architecture. the truss assembly contains a cantilever which contains the stairs but also provides a point from which the unit can be easily expanded or combined, and in this case also stretches out over a heritage beach house offering some degree of preservation. the ground floor provides 600 ft2 of flexible room to be divided in a number of ways, while the upstairs contains 450 ft2 of indoor acclimatized space complemented by 350 ft2 of exterior decking that acts as a potential addition to the interior program if needed. the home is clad in local western red cedar panels that form a ventilated wall system providing the necessary ventilation, improved insulation, and a rainscreen. the interior is a slightly contrasting dark bamboo floor with radiant heating, while overhangs help keep out the direct light in the summer.

(left) stairs to the elevated section(right) exterior deckimages © bruce damonte