Houseboats

In our study, it was our objective to analyze houseboats as completely and thoroughly as was possible. We determined that the best format for our assignment would be to examine houseboats on a region-by-region basis and then construct a comparative analysis of all the different types we discovered. As we progressed from country to country, compiling all the information we could, we unearthed many fascinating variations within this intriguing building type.

We quickly began to understand that there were houseboats, such as the kolu boats in Kashmir, which were initially designed to be something else altogether and gradually evolved into the water-going domiciles that they are today. In direct contrast to this, we also established the fact that there are modern houseboats which were designed from the beginning to be just that – houseboats. We found variations in every aspect of the houseboats; from their uses, to their formal qualities, to the social context which surrounds them. To highlight this, in one area, the boats were constructed out of natural, local materials, while elsewhere; the houseboats consisted of heavily refined, high-tech building products.

There were also some obvious similarities between the houseboats, even when they were designed centuries apart. For example, we found a familiarity between hull designs; the way in which the modern houseboat hull rises out of water is reminiscent of the rising hull on the kolu houseboat. Also, the general forms of some of the vessels were similar in that they maintained the sleek, streamlined shape of a boat while incorporating dwelling space on the deck.

However, as we delved into some of these similarities we gained insight into another level of variation. To further explain what we mean by this, if we look at the traditional Chinese sampan, we see that bulkheads have been designed into the hull. Bulkheads are also present in the hulls and pontoons of modern recreational houseboats. However, these design features were meant for two vastly different purposes. On the sampan, the bulkheads were in essence, bedrooms; while on the modern houseboat the bulkheads are used to contain possible leaks to one section of the hull.

We found it very interesting to watch tried and true design and construction methods persevere throughout the years, while at the same time witnessing all of the different ways in which houseboats exist from region to region and from one time period to another. Truly, the houseboat is a unique and highly versatile small building.