Innovative Australian home uses water tank to hold up house
February 21st 2008 10:02
This is a house in Victoria, Australia, where the designer has placed the rainwater tank in the center of the house, using it to support the roof.
Australia generally suffers from water shortages, although this year we've had our share and then some. Still, when water is tight, residents are encouraged to use rainwater for non-consumable purposes, and a supply of water is always a good thing to have on hand.
From the webpage:
"Within the living room the ceiling wraps down to an internal water tank. The tank cools the ambient air temperature of the living room during summer, supplies rain water, and structurally carries the roof load. Excess water drains to an external tank, and is used for flushing toilets, irrigating the garden, washing wetsuits and occasionally for drinking."
I love it - the water tank cools the room as well. Water is an incredible substance, capable of cooling and heating, depending on the outside temperature. I'm almost in love with this design. I wish I had thought of it first.
But I didn't, so I'll have to think up something else. How about a house where the roof support is a tank for... um... strawberry jam? Motor oil? Creme soda?
Ah, forget it.
(found on BoingBoing)
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