“One Planet Living was a concept developed by Bio-Regional when I was a student. It spurred BedZED, by Bill Dunster - the UK's first major sustainable community. It’s a philosophy that has slowly gained traction. At BACA, we developed LifE (Long-term Initiatives for Flood Risk Environments), a body of work that would enable sustainable development and, in Monaco’s case, address sea level rise.” Says Richard Coutts, Director at BACA Architects.
So, when invited to speak at the Royal Yacht Club Monaco, organized by Monaco Marina Management, he posed a simple question to the audience and the club - Could the municipality of Monaco (Population 39,000), including the yacht club (a hub of marine innovation), become a self-sustaining community? Observing the marina, you get a glimpse of the built future: thin film photovoltaics wrap state-of-the-art monocoque catamarans – that use wind as their main source to carry them on hydrofoils across the Atlantic. Among other exhibitors, plans for hydrogen-powered tenders and ecoconcrete sea defenses (reduced carbon in production, designed for carbon capture, biophilic receptiveness).
But like most countries and cities - one overriding issue: Monaco has no more space. Its positives include that because of its size, it can change policies quickly and has the financial means to enact change.
Within the marina, luxury boats sit primed at 100% charge, but they do not work together, dumping waste energy. To an observer, possibly one of the most beautiful solar arrays on water. Could this flotilla of boats create a unified energy network and either capture surplus energy or use it for the benefit of the wider city?
Monaco is also very urban, consisting of many hard surfaces - its roofscapes are prominently flat with little greening. So, there was a discussion alongside pioneers of energy, design, and materials, what is the future of the Smart Marina and could this be extended into smart city design that they sustain.
The symposium was hosted by Sir Robin Knox and was great to share ideas with Maarten van de Vorde - West 8, And Nicola Beck - NBax Architecture & Design, Eduardo Gutierrez - On-A, Giovanni de Niederhausern – Pininfarina.
Hopefully, these ideas will evolve into tangible deliverables.
The Avocett III will be the latest vessel to join BACA’s flotilla of floating homes/aquatecture. Located on the Isle of Wight, the floating home builds on the Chichester design (2008) and now features 2 bedrooms plus a sleeping gallery. The sawtooth profile roof is designed to receive solar panels and is supported by a high thermal performance envelope. More images will follow shortly.
Due to its remote location, the base cannot be cast in one pour, unlike the Chichester. Therefore, the whole project and modular sizes are dictated by restricted access and what a small team of contractors can assemble by hand. Much of the build will take place on top of the floating platform once that element is built.
Construction drawings are underway, and the build will start in spring 2023.
Site visit to our first 'Outdoor Sanctuary' prototype
BACA’s Creative Director Robert Pattison visited the prefabricated prototype for the Skylark under construction. Pre-fabricated in the factory, it was wonderful to see the scale of the demo come together. Once the pipeline is up and running we should be able to build 10 every 2 weeks.
We’re excited to release some ongoing construction images of our staycation pod prototype. These pods provide elegant and contemporary holiday accommodations nestled into woodlands and other natural settings.
Thank you to David McCann owner of Landall Barnsoul in Scotland for visiting and Kapsers of Nordic Homes for your wonderful hospitality.
The Busselton Jetty Village and Marine Discovery Centre, 'The Village,' will be ready in July 2023!
Phase 1 will be built 1.7 km out to sea at the end of the iconic Busselton Jetty. The Village will transform the visitor experience,offering something for everyone, including customers visiting the longesttimber-piled Jetty in the southern hemisphere, respite areas for our over 100 volunteers, locally sourced, world-class food and beverages to quench your hunger and thirst after the long journey out, as well as a marine discovery centre where you’ll be educated on the wonders of the sea below the Jetty and beyond.
If you’re a diver or snorkeler, there will also be a new underwater artificial reef trail that will include unique sculptures andstatues, allowing you to see the Jetty from a totally different perspective!
The project has $22m of grant funding from:
- Australian Government – Regional Growth Fund, Building Better Regions Fund & Parks Australia
- The State of Western Australia, particularly the Department of Primary Industry and - Regional Development; and
- Lotterywest
A project like this doesn’t happen without a lot of hardwork. Thank you to the BJI Board of Management, BJI staff, Volunteers, and Project Superintendent for their tireless efforts.
Marine Contracting by Subcon
Designed by BACA with Perth Architects, Gresley Abas Architects
Marine Engineering by Core marine
Since our scheme on the Isle of Man has gone public, we’ve received a few requests about the flood-resilient planning theory that informedthe designs. Enclosed is an abstract of ‘The Blue Drempel’ or blue thresholds, which was first presented at the Architectural School in Warsaw, Poland, aspart of the international symposium on amphibious architecture. This thesis sought to explore how amphibious houses might work in larger numbers alongsideother resilient archetypes, as part of a landscape-led masterplan that makesspace for water.
Credits: Richard Coutts, Matthew Sharman-Hayles, and John Napier.
Designs also include concept plans developed incollaboration with our friends at Waterstudio in the Netherlands.
Further publications include "Aquatecture: Buildings and Cities Designed to Live and Work with Water" by Robert Barker & Richard Coutts, RIBA Publishing.
We are pleased to report that BACA has been appointed to design a new marina building located on the tranquil River Stour in the heart of Christchurch. Willow Way Marina is a family-owned and operated marina that has experienced business growth, especially since the pandemic, as boat owners favour staycations, and the existing workshops and sheds have reached capacity.
The new building will provide a showroom, chandlery, meeting spaces, and new staff welfare facilities.
