Adapting Building Envelopes for Water-Based Communities

    Rising water levels are an increasingly prominent concern for the construction industry. Populations are growing, but coasts are creeping in, and clearing inland land isn’t always an option, considering habitat loss and existing structures. Water-based communities — which float on the surface of seas and rivers — are a promising solution.

    Constructing on top of the water instead of retreating from it lets cities expand without fighting for available inland space or worrying about rising tides. However, it’s not an easy process. Building envelopes will need to adapt to support these towns of the future.