Is your riverside property drowning during every flood?

Is the prestige of owning a riverside house not worth the financial loss each year?

Insurance penalties too much? Ready to sell the bottomless money pit? 

The solution is here!

The solution is like a floating dock, only on a much larger scale. Together with the Artificial Intelligence model Grok™, we designed the optimal use of 40ft side entry shipping containers. We connect three 12m and one 6m of them in a closed configuration, and install a mezzanine floor in the middle. The result is a comfortable 12x16.7m living or storage space, which can be designed to your liking. That is 200m² of space only on the lower deck! We can provide a staircase to the roof, where you can install a sundeck with a braai, a jacuzzi, and a nice patio garden. 

How do we make it float?

By installing floating devices underneath, of course. With the help of Grok™, we determined that we can install more than enough 210 liter plastic drums underneath to give it the required buoyancy. The drums will be contained in a rustproof metal framework, which will be hidden from sight in a recessed bunker when the river is not in flood.

The floats is installed in a "catamaran" configuration, which means the outsides are more buoyant than the center.  This arrangement stabilizes the structure when afloat.

How will it keep floating level?

One of the first challenges we encountered was to keep it level when floating. After all, that is not something we normally include in a house plan.

The answer lies in our proprietary automatic leveling system™. We install water tanks on the roof at each corner, and with a pump and valve system, move water between tanks as needed. One m² (1000l) of water weighs one ton, so when we install 4 X 5000l tanks, the potential problem disappears.

The tanks will be filled with filtered water, which will serve the household in normal times as well as times of crisis.

What about electricity?

The question required a bit of thought, but has to be answered, of course. Obviously, a hybrid, off-grid solar system of about 8kW, but the size will be determined by the owner. By hybrid we mean sun, wind, and water. Our unique, vertical use of double-sided solar panels will minimise the space they take, and add to their effectiveness.

Where will we get water?

An inlet will draw water from the land supply or the river, whichever is most effective, and an advanced filter system will deposit it into the four leveling tanks. 

What about sewerage?

Recent international developments provide us with ample possibilities. From composting toilets to miniature wastewater plants, we only have to do a bit of online browsing. You are bound to find a system to your liking, and we can always adapt and combine products until you are satisfied.

Will it be swept away when the river comes down?

Boating docks and jetties are normally built where boats can moor, which means they are located where the river exerts the most force. That, and the fact that they are anchored very loosely, causes them to be swept away with every flood. To compound the problem, the river is washing away the earth where it was disturbed before. We negate that possibility with our unique Anchoring System.

How do we anchor the BuhrWizard Ark?

We drive 200mm galvanized poles into the ground at each corner, and secure the Ark to the poles with our proprietary floating guides. The length of the poles will be determined by the geographical location and soil density, and the services of a ground engineer will be called in. We will add 20% in length for good measure.

How long will the BuhrWizard Ark last?

The normal lifetime of container houses is about 20 years. The BuhrWizard Ark, on the other side, will last indefinitely. The whole construction will be covered in a layer of the latest epoxy sealants available, and when inspected and maintained on a predetermined schedule, it will never rust.

What about transport during a flood?

Combine your purchase with a modular, folding BührWizard Boat, and travel on water! I takes up no space when taken down, and can be assembled in minutes. You can even pull your vehicle into the Ark for safekeeping. Find the BührWizard Boats website on www.BührWizard.online.

So there you are. A secure, self contained, floating house, aptly called the BührWizard Ark. In fact, your imagination is your only limit!

Contact us so we can discuss your needs!