Waterpod Project

Aug 2009

By Karen Cilento — Filed under: Architecture News ,Art ,Residential ,Sustainability , New York, Waterpod Project

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Mary Mattingly

The Waterpod Project^TMhas been floating around the New York area for the past few months gaining a lot of attention. Beginning in Newtown Creek, between Brooklyn and Queens, the Pod is moving down the East River and Hudson River. As reported by Melena Ryzik for The New York Times (view her articles here) this experimental project investigates the blend of community living and artistry. Showcasing artworks, performances and such, the Waterpod^TM, is an eco-conscious environment that was designed “In preparation for our coming world with an increase in population, a decrease in usable land, and a greater flux in environmental conditions, people will need to rely closely on immediate communities and look for alternative living models; the Waterpod is about cooperation, collaboration, augmentation, and metamorphosis,” explained Mary Mattingly, a photographer who thought of the Waterpod idea.

More about the Waterpod^TM after the break.

Mia Hunter

Designed to move with the rising tides, the Pod is “adaptable, flexible, self-sufficient, and relocatable, responsive to its immediate and shifting environment.”

Mary Mattingly

The Pod is made from donated/recyclable materials such as a Parks Department pier and metal railings from the Broadway set of “Equus,” donated by the Materials for Arts non-profit organization in Queens. A heavy vinyl tarp stitched from discarded billboards covers the spherical shapes. The main space in the dome is for the community to engage in the arts. The second sphere includes the vertical agriculture, greywater recycling, and alternative power sources. The third area includes a kitchen and shower room, and the fourth contains four separate bedrooms including a guest bedroom.

Mary Mattingly

Although the structure is an actual residence for artists, the public is welcome to explore the project. As people visit the structure daily, common questions arise about basic necessities like eating and bathing. As for the diet aboard the Waterpod, most of the food is produced on the actual boat and cooked using plug-in hot plates that are powered by the solar panels on the roof. Rain is collected in a large bucket, filtered twice for bathing and dish-washing and three times for drinking. Those on board must get used to the three minutes of hot water for the shower and a two-part dry toilet that composites waste.

By allowing the community to board the vessel, people become aware of the extreme measures that are taken to make this a sustainable place. Yet, those measures, when duplicated in the home environment, can become more plausible.

Mira Hanter

“Frankly, I don’t think any of us, when we started, knew how much work it would be,” Ms. Ward, who lives full time aboard the Pod said. “Building it was hard, but I thought once we got it up and running, we would be able to, you know, make art…It has challenged everyone on all levels – levels of comfort, levels of intellect… There’s a never-ending list of things to do: It’s a ship. It’s a farm. It’s an art residence. It’s an installation.”

Eve K. Tremblay

While Ms. Ward and Ms. Mattingly have lived aboard the Waterpod since June 12, the other crew members rotate so a variety of artists can experience the project. While some enjoy the project, others have differing views. Eve K. Tremblay, a Canadian-born artist, explained, “It’s looking a bit too hippy right now…I’m a bit of a critical voice on this project. There is very little time to read or do art. It takes a lot of work to do sustainability. And sometimes it feels like Frankenstein, like we’ve created this organism that has a life of its own.”

Docked on Staten Island

The Pod will be docked on Staten Island till the end of August (for the full schedule). If you are in the area, you should check it out and see for yourself what it would be like to live aboard for a few weeks.

As seen on designboom. All images courtesy of waterpod.org

Cite:
Cilento , Karen . "Waterpod Project" 18 Aug 2009. ArchDaily. Accessed 09 Feb 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/32534>

Comments (8)
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Alex says:

??? Sustainable?
What does that tug boat run on, fuel oil right!?!
how much excess oil flows out in the bilge???

# August 19, 2009 at 09:13

utopianrobot says:

i wonder if robin williams is going to attack their ship and steal their citrus plants and clean dirt?

# August 19, 2009 at 09:28

sebastijan says:

as an artist and an architect i have to say that this project is quite obnoxious… artists thinking they can just easily do some cutesy “green” project about “cooperation, collaboration, augmentation, and metamorphosis”… what does that even mean?! this project is nothing unique… looks totally outdated (seems they realize that though). for a more resolved and successful project of similar pedagogy check out the learning barge project from u. of virginia:
http://www.arch.virginia.edu/learningbarge/

i understand the intent and the ideology is good, but this was such an naive approach and execution. sustainability can be easy yes, but it is not effortless.

# August 19, 2009 at 14:26

John Burgess says:

I’m sorry to say, but it seems that the only thing that is obnoxious is your comment. If you read about the project, you would probably see that there was nothing easy about it. There were hundreds of volunteers and community members who got involved in making it happen with little to no budget. It took a few years to organize, and as I understand, some things like towing, were required by the government. It was quite a special thing. The day I was on I talked with two strangers (who had just met each other) working out the details of a new green business they were thinking of starting. I don’ t know what any of you have done that has had as much impact, but I hope you have, too. I hope to see more projects like this in the future, but I understand being intimidated by the fact that a group of artists did what independent architects don’t think that they should do.

While the learning barge is an interesting project, it is completely different. From what I understand, it is stationary, a classroom (not a living space and an event space).

# April 2, 2010 at 12:17

ARCHmonster says: