Published on June 17th, 2017
Some are designed to bob along, allowing occupants to explore, while others remain permanently docked. One such property is a two-storey floating house on the Canadian side of Lake Huron, which acts as a summer residence for one couple who return to the same spot year after year. While some of the abodes are crafted to house more than a dozen guests, others are a little more dinky, cosily accommodating a couple with little room to spare.
If you’re looking to get a taste of riverbank life, some of the boat homes are available to hire scroll down to see a fleet of some of the craziest floating homes in the world.
1. The wave-shaped Fennell Residence located in Portland, Oregon, was built in 2005 by the Robert Oshatz architecture firm. Curved glue laminated beams were used to ‘capture the timeless sense of flowing water and time passing’
2. The Hobbit Houseboat, which blends traditional and modern design, is available to rent in the Indian state of Kerala. It was built using traditional methods and not one nail was used in the construction
3. There are two double or twin cabins ensuite with a lower day cabin and an upperdeck for views across the backwaters. The vessel is also decked out with solar panels to get energy for heating hot water
4. This designer London houseboat is available to rent via Airbnb for £500 per night. The 61ft-long narrow boat has an ultra-modern feel with contemporary furnishings and large windows letting lots of light in
5. Inside, the boat is finished to a high standard with a wood burner to keep it warm during the winter months. Its unique design has been featured in a number of architecture magazines
6. The boat boasts a multitude of appliances including a fridge, freezer, microwave, oven and water purifier. Outside there is a hot tub, wood-fired pizza oven, and a two-seater swing located in an adjacent garden for private use
7. Fans looking for the full Beatles experience can book accommodation in this unusual hotel, which is painted to look like the vessel on the cover of their record Yellow Submarine, and floats on a mooring in Albert Dock
8. Once a narrowboat, the ‘submarine’ now features a psychedelic lounge – complete with an original scooter from the film Quadrophenia – and three bedrooms
9. This large two-storey building, named Floating House, is on the Canadian side of Lake Huron. It has plenty of deck space for water-based activities and sunbathing
10. Architects went about building something that would blend in with the rocky landscape and wild vegetation. The building is clad in cedar planks, a material commonly used in the area
11. The Cosmic Muffin was the first watercraft to ever be constructed from a land-based airplane, Howard Hughes’ prized Boeing B-307 no less, and was converted into a houseboat in 1969 by private pilot Ken London. He purchased the body for just $62
12. It took four years to convert the jet into an exotic houseboat. Many of the original features – including the cockpit – were left in place. The unique vessel was last docked in Florida, where it was a popular tourist attraction
13. The aircraft seats were removed to create more space in the main cabin area and smart wooden flooring was added. However, the small plane windows remained in place offering views across the marina
14. This former ferry is now a quaint houseboat ready for its next adventure on the water. The boat has had a varied past that has seen it move around the UK from Kent to Scotland, Cornwall to the Thames in London and the Isle of Wight
15. The bathroom in the converted ferry features a large wooden tub, with some purple mood lighting
16. The floating ArkaBarka hostel and apartments are located on the banks of the river Danube in Belgrade. The large houseboat complex has an array of facilities including a sauna and bar
17. The apartments have been finished to a high standard, with rooms starting from €25.50. All prices include breakfast and WiFi
18. This dinky houseboat, built by lightweight construction company Deutsche Composite GmbH, was shown at the 2004 International Boat Show in Hamburg
19. The Maldives Floating House was designed by Singapore-based designer Dymitr Malcew. He said he wanted to create a space to allow people to appreciate freedom and nature at their doorstep
20. The water-based house features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, kitchen and generous terrace. The base of the house is a floating platform so it can be easily moved from one place to another
source : dailymail.co.uk
