How do floating houses work? And why could they also be an architectural revolution in Europe?
The HOUSE THAT FLIES: the latest revolution. Will it also arrive in Europe?
After the earthquake that devastated Japan in 2011, technologies have been sought to create homes that are resistant to the worst earthquakes, and this is how floating houses – that literally float – were born. How do they work and why did they not also arrive in areas with high seismic risk in Europe?
# The electromagnetism at the base of the floating houses
The system was invented by the designers of Air Danshin Systems Inc. and is currently the most creative and imaginative solution to protect homes from earthquakes. At the base of levitation is electromagnetism: thanks to a powerful air cushion, the house can begin to rise a few centimeters above the surface of the earth in the event of an earthquake, and can remain in this position until the end of the earthquake.
# They detect the tremors in advance: why have they not yet arrived in Europe?
Thanks to this levitation the house remains absolutely stable and steady, while the surrounding world continues to sway, and rests on the ground once the tremors are over. All this is possible through a sensitive sensor that is able to detect in advance the start of seismic activity: it gives a signal that activates the air compressor and the latter takes a few seconds to fill the special cushion with air.
Over 100 houses have already been built with this technology in Japan, not very large buildings that after the 2011 earthquake had been destroyed and have been restored.
Also in Europe there are some areas with a high seismic risk where it would be worth investing in this new type of technology. Did we get a suggestion from Japan? Maybe we should catch it.
ROSITA GIULIANO
