SwimCity | Belatchew Arkitekter

Belatchew Arkitekter’s studio Belatchew Labs presents SwimCity, a project that aims to increase the supply of housing for young people by creating a sustainable living on water. The project has been supported by the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning.

With the help of 3D printing and recycled concrete Belatchew Arkitekter creates floating housing for students and young adults – the homes are unique and adapts to the landscape. Locating the buildings on the surface of water, the possibilities are almost endless for creating continuous variable structures, depending on current demand. Besides that water is an unused building ground, it is also a potential energy source that can be used for energy in various ways, such as wave power and water–water heat pumps.

The supply of homes for young can be increased and broadened through an innovative construction on the water. Because the water is seen as extra space to build on, the location of the floating student dormitories vary; such as underused ports, quays and dock areas.

Waste from the building industry accounts for a large part of the total carbon footprint, and by recycling concrete SwimCity contributes to reducing the burden on the environment. 3D-printing of buildings is a new technology that makes it easier, cheaper and more efficient to build. By reusing construction waste and create new concrete that is 3D-printable the building process becomes ecologically and economically sustainable. The construction process is shortened, is made safer, more effective and allows for numerous design possibilities.

- Following on the urban insect farm BuzzBuilding and the urban power plant Strawscraper, Belatchew Labs now presents SwimCity, says Rahel Belatchew Lerdell, CEO and founder, Belatchew Arkitekter AB.

- The technological development in 3D-printed concrete has come very far. With SwimCity we show how the new technology makes it possible for us to create unique buildings which today’s prefab industry is not capable of, concludes Rahel Belatchew Lerdell, CEO and founder, Belatchew Arkitekter AB.