These Lego-like homes are designed to float in floods

A prototype of a new type of housing is being tested in a large tank of water in a Los Angeles suburb, designed for flood zones where the foundation and watertight shell can float when the water rises. Architect Charles Wee was inspired to create flood-resistant housing after seeing how people living along the Amazon River lost their homes during floods. Wee's startup, LifeArk, uses rotational molding to produce prefab housing parts made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), the same plastic used in milk jugs and shampoo bottles. The plastic is filled with foam insulation, making it energy efficient, strong, and buoyant. The homes can last longer than modular homes made from typical building materials and can be fully recycled at the end of their life. The plastic makes the homes resilient in earthquakes and hurricanes, and a special compound makes them fire-resistant. The Lego-like parts can be assembled into simple modules without equipment, and the design can be used for ocean-based housing in areas with sea level rise. LifeArk has already built multiple projects, including supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness, which can be built faster and at a lower cost than traditional modular housing. The company is working to overcome regulatory barriers to make the amphibious version of the housing a reality. If successful, this could open up new housing opportunities in flood-prone zones and developing countries.