Miami Affordable Floating Homes
New Little Lakou
Project Location:
Little Haiti, Miami, South Florida
Completed:
November 2022
Award:
Director’s Choice
‘Lakou’ refers to the network of people involved in the typical Haitian system of group living and sharing responsibility, and the compound or garden they share. The Lakou social construct provides sustenance, security, and emotional, social, and financial support systems, all of which contribute to the community’s social capital, empowering the local community of Little Haiti, which is currently being impacted by climate gentrification.
The proposal’s scale and density stem from our challenge of the competition brief, discovering that small-scaled loose floating modules would not be able to endure the impact of Florida storms expected in the near future. Paolo Soleri’s Arcology theory: miniaturised and walkable neighbourhoods, vertical density, and environmental responsibility are all fundamental influences.
The massing is intended to withstand stronger currents and water movement induced by flooding-related coastal loss. The cascading weight distribution enables for stability, which is supported by outrigger structures inspired by sea boats.
Affordability is established through providing a framework inhabited by future residents who infill the space reusing whatever they own- accentuating individuality of the units.
The project emphasises shared assets such as access to fresh water, energy, residents’ wellness and health, access to shared food production via hydroponic systems.
We are consciously future-proofing the way we live.
Studio L’ght is passionate about researching and proposing alternative ways of dealing with climate change and rising sea levels. We have dedicated years of exploring architecture in the future climate – heat waves, flash floods, food shortages…
Get in touch with us if you have a property on a flood plain or if you just want to learn more about what we do.