It’s not every day you see a house floating down a river, but then again the Prvok od Buřinky (PROTOZOON by Buřinka) isn’t your typical house. Designed and 3D-printed in the Czech Republic, Prvok exemplifies advancements in technology, green design and innovation.
A first for the Czech Republic, this 3D-printed concrete structure comes in three parts so it can relocate from its manufacturing location to Prague, about 150 kilometers away. The journey saw the pieces loaded onto a trailer and driven for seven hours, then constructed on the edge of the Vltava River and placed on a pontoon to float another three hours into the city. While the designers kept portability in mind, the house offers more than the concrete printed frame.
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“Our interior includes shelves made of 6,000-year-old oak, lighting made by a local glassworks and further amazing amenities. The house is also equipped with underfloor heating and recuperation,” explained the main author of the house, Michal Trpák from Scoolpt.
Custom, modern furniture fills the space while strikingly unique features make an environmental statement. This includes a green roof covered in plants and a self-sustaining rainwater collection system. In addition to helping the building blend into the landscape, the green design offers sound insulation, improves the microclimate and funnels leftover rainwater into tanks. The water from the tanks can be used for household activities such as cleaning or flushing the toilet.
“We really appreciate the sustainable technologies that are part of the house. I would particularly highlight the way water is disposed of. The house collects rainwater, which it is able to use further and at the same time uses a recirculating shower, which can save up to 90% of the water,” Libor Vošický, chairman of the Board of Directors of Stavební spořitelna, said.
Using smart technology and sustainable materials highlights energy efficiency without sacrificing style and function. The House is open to the public until the end of September at Smíchovská náplavka or Střelecký Island.
Images via Buřinka
Written by Dawn Hammon
