Pier House

Housing - Research - Concept


The Pier House presents a series of contiguous building volumes independently connected to a grid of timber pilings. Each is stationed at a different height within a fixed range of low tide and anticipated sea level rise heights, but then free to float after that given datum is reached. The lowest volume is in perpetual floating position, while upper volumes will float at a future time. Within this configuration we imagine a home with rooms only accessible during certain daily or yearly cycles. A poetic hierarchy is then manifested where a space is occupied temporally and that fleeting moment celebrated. Taking this concept to its logical conclusion, we are also compelled to consider an accordion stair design. Risers between rooms remain in constant flux, thus asking what practical accommodations current codes might make for such a building.