Our Mission
Inspired by the houseboat communities of Amsterdam, Seattle and elsewhere, the Sozial- und Ökologiestiftung of Cleves has begun the development of a green houseboat for the Spoy Canal. The concept is to create a floating community and bring some life to our now closed waterway.
Read on for how you can get involved.
Prof. Megill
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Challenge
Designing and building a houseboat present some different challenges. Though the dwelling looks and feels like a house, it is legally still a boat. The challenge therefore is to marry the comforts of a floating home with the regulatory framework required by the navigational authorities. In its role as a permanent home, the houseboat has to be equipped with a regular kitchen, normal(ish) furniture, and things like electricity, freshwater provision and sewage. As a boat, it has to be completely self-contained, self-propelled, stable, watertight and escapable.
Hover over the images below and contact Prof Megill for more information about the engineering aspects of this houseboat project.
Searching for a project, thesis or just want to join a team?
Then you sound like you're right for the 2021-22 build team. We need motivated students interested in completing their theses on subjects related to the Houseboats. These are practical projects with real outcomes which you will have completed in a professional environment, same as if you were working in a company.