A house that appears to float 15-foot above ground level to combat flood water has gone on sale for £1.95 million in Essex.
The unusual self build featured on Grand Designs with Kevin McCloud last year and was built beside the Blackwater River Estuary, between Maldon and West Mersea in Essex — a well-known flood plain.
But flooding shouldn't be a problem for the home, named Seal Point, as it's unique design means if the area floods, the interior of the 3,600 sq foot house should remain undamaged by the water.
We take a look inside the seemingly gravity-defying home as it goes on the market and joins a number of otherGrand Designs best housesto be sold shortly after being built.
How a cantilevered first floor makes home 'float'
The house was built with a cantilever design, suspending a large part of its first floor in mid-air 15 foot above ground level. The idea behind this being that if the land floods, which is likely to happen on a flood plain, then the interior of the house will be protected from the salt water.
But the real magic is below ground, where the flood-proofing has been created by a steel superstructure sat on 34 concrete and steel piles, drilled a whopping 45-foot deep.
The ground floor of the build was made with poured waterproof concrete and more steel framework, apparently making it watertight.
Built on a beautiful but 'high risk' flood zone
The land where the house was built is categorised as Flood Zone 3 by the Environment Agency, the highest level of flood risk.
但这没有推迟杰夫•伍德divo退休rcee is in his 60s, who made the decision to build the floating home after selling his house in Spain to finance the project. Mr Wood bought the land withplanning permissionfor £325,000 and started the build in 2018.
Talking about how the land has a high risk of flooding, Mr Wood said: "Although the site is expansive, it is crucial to note that it is situated in a flood plain. Therefore, the planning authorities have mandated that any dwelling constructed here must be flood-resistant."
Thermal glass, solar panels, a heat pump and UFH
The cantilevered-home has been built with flooding in mind on the inside too — so if you are home and get "flooded in" the house can run off its own source of electricity,.
Solar panelson the roof generate 14kW of energy that powers anair source heat pumpwhich in turn powersunderfloor heating. Double glazing and thermal glass keeps all the heat generated inside the building too, for maximum energy efficiency.
The home also includes a number of other features such as a utility area, a double garage, a staircase equipped with a lift as well as three en suite bedrooms. A wrap-around terrace gives 260-degree views of the Blackwater River Estuary, with the outdoor space extending to an open garden with a gated driveway. Walled inner gardens are below and behind the house, presumably also made from waterproof concrete to guard the garden against being flooded.
Floating home has gone on sale for £1.95 million
The house has been placed up for sale for £1.95 million.
Ed Casson, director of estate agents Fine & Country Mid Essex, said: “It really is a unique and beautiful property and although Geoff's enjoyed living there, he's completed his grand project and feels it's time to downsize a little bit.”
You can book a viewing forSeal Pointor alternatively, you can watch the Grand Designs episode onChannel 4on series 20 episode 7.
