Devikrishna S,
Kabita Biswas Sharma,
Abstract
Over time, people have settled in communities that are fluvial flood zones and located at low elevations due to limited access to land, strong cultural ties that continue for generations, and economic factors that make relocation nearly impossible. “Our homes are stitched into the landscape,” some say, “we have nowhere else to go.” However, when the water continues to invade year after year, these populations face a perpetual threat to their survival and cultural heritage. As the seas advance, not only are the structures at risk, but so are fond memories, livelihood sources, and an important source of community belonging. Water intrusion is such a constant menace into people’s lives, challenging their resolve to build, transform, and maintain their place in the face of this calamity. The concept of Amphibious structures has provided an innovative, adaptable and well approved solution for many of these areas since it allows structures to float temporarily with the fluctuations in water levels. In this context, it keeps the vibrancy and continuity of these communities amidst adverse conditions. This study will review the literature upon amphibious structures worldwide based on its design principles, construction techniques, materials, and adaptability to fluctuations in water levels while exploring the evolution of amphibious structures considering its historical roots, technological advancements, and modern implementations across various global contexts .Through a detailed review of various case studies , this research critiques the incorporation of amphibious design principles in different regions and assesses their effectiveness as a flood resilience strategy through secondary data analysis. Besides this study examines the viability of amphibious structures as a sustainable alternative to existing flood resilience methods. This paper aims to outline the crucial role that amphibious structures play in the development of flood resilience strategies globally and the vast potential these solutions hold for the future.
Keywords: Amphibious structures, buoyant foundation, flood resilience
[This article belongs to Recent Trends in Civil Engineering & Technology ]
Devikrishna S, Kabita Biswas Sharma. Review of Amphibious Structures as A Flood Resilience Strategy Around the World. Recent Trends in Civil Engineering & Technology. 2025; 15(01):11-27.
Devikrishna S, Kabita Biswas Sharma. Review of Amphibious Structures as A Flood Resilience Strategy Around the World. Recent Trends in Civil Engineering & Technology. 2025; 15(01):11-27. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rtcet/article=2025/view=197130
References
- Asla BN, Adhila F, AK. Amphibious house. Int J Innov Res Sci Eng Technol. 2020;9(8). Available from: ijirset.com
- Ameh H, Badarnah L, Lamond J. Amphibious architecture: A biomimetic design approach to flood resilience. Sustainability (Switzerland). 2024;16(3):1-22. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16031069
- Anderson HC. Amphibious architecture: Living with a rising bay. Self-published. 2014.
- Choomgrant K. The establishment of a cultural tourist attraction: A case of Ayothaya floating market in Ayutthaya Province, Thailand. No date. Available from: http://www.ayothayafloatingmarket.com
- Ellis JS. The Bénin Studio – A tale of two cities. Self-published. No date.
- English EC. Amphibious architecture: Where flood risk reduction meets climate change adaptation. Self-published. 2016.
- English EC, Chen M, Zarins R, Patange P, Wiser JC. Building resilience through flood risk reduction: The benefits of amphibious foundation retrofits to heritage structures. Int J Archit Heritage. 2021;15(7):976-84. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2019.1695154
- English E, Klink N. Thriving with water: Developments in amphibious architecture in North America. E3S Web Conf. 2016;7:13009. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/20160713009
- Factor A, Boiten R. Project review: Floating homes ‘De Gouden Kust’ Maasbommel, The Netherlands. Ingenieurs BV. 2011. Available from: https://ftp.science.ru.nl/toinesmits/course_material_IWM_2011/project_review_Maasbommel_2011.pdf
- Fenuta EV. Amphibious architectures: The buoyant foundation project in post-Katrina New Orleans. Self-published. No date.
- Gireesh N, George BK. Integration of flood-resilient amphibious building technology with the sustainable vernacular architecture of Kerala: A case of Thevarpathiyil ancestral home. Int Res J Eng Technol. 2021. Available from: irjet.net
- Hidalgo-Cordero JF, García-Navarro J. Review on the traditional uses and potential of Totora (Schoenoplectus californicus) as construction material. IOP Conf Ser Mater Sci Eng. 2017;245(2):022068. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/245/2/022068
- Mohamad MI, Nekooie MA, bin Ismail Z. Amphibious house: A novel practice as a flood mitigation strategy in South-East Asia. Int J Innov Res Sci Eng Technol. 2012;2(1). Available from: iiste.org
- Amphibious-house-formosa-binder. No date. Available from: www.ichijo.co
- Leibbrandt AE. Makoko floating school, Lagos, Nigeria. Self-published. 2014.
- Mayne T, Santini L, Stafford J, Brickler M. Morphosis architects. Self-published. No date.
- Nilubon P, Veerbeek W, Zevenbergen C. Amphibious architecture and design: A catalyst of opportunistic adaptation? Case study Bangkok. Procedia Soc Behav Sci. 2016;216:470-80. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.12.063
- Nofal OM, van de Lindt JW, Do TQ. Multi-variate and single-variable flood fragility and loss approaches for buildings. Reliab Eng Syst Saf. 2020;202:106971. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ress.2020.106971
- Okello G. Traditional management systems at heritage sites in Africa. Self-published. No date.
- Phattanawasin S, Boonlue W. Resilient home design for a coastal community of Baan Khun Samut Chin, Samutprakan. Built. 2021;53. Available from: https://doi.org/10.14456/built.2021.5
- Piątek Ł. Amphibious buoyant architecture: Designs for living with water – Floating futures. In: The Routledge Companion to Ecological Design Thinking. London: Routledge; 2022.
- Prosun P. The LIFT house: An amphibious strategy for sustainable and affordable housing for the urban poor in flood-prone Bangladesh. Self-published. 2011.
- Regina C, Meirelles M, Brugnera AC, Collet Bruna G, Fehr L. Riverside population in Amazon: Culture, environment and construction technique. Int J Eng Res Appl. 2016;6. Available from: ijera.com
- Ropel-Morski Z, English E, Turner S. Amphibious housing: An innovative approach to seasonal flood mitigation for vulnerable First Nations communities. ICAADE2015. No date. Available from: icaade2015.com
- Rosso F, Mannucci S, Ferrero M, Cecere C. Adapting towards resilience: Analysis of the construction features and dynamic energy performance of amphibious and floating houses. Rivista Tema. 2020;6(1). Available from: https://doi.org/10.30682/tema0601c
- Sharma H, Mishra N. Adapting to flood and sea-level rise through amphibious architecture in India. Int J Innov Res Appl Sci. No date. Available from: ijfmr.com
- Thi Hong Hanh V, Duong V. Morphology of water-based housing in Mekong Delta, Vietnam. MATEC Web Conf. 2018;193:04005. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201819304005
- Williams JJ. Living with nature: The Farnsworth house and the environmental successes and failures of modernist architecture. Self-published. 1945.
Recent Trends in Civil Engineering & Technology
Volume | 15 |
Issue | 01 |
Received | 20/11/2024 |
Accepted | 11/12/2024 |
Published | 03/01/2025 |
Publication Time | 44 Days |