RAFAA architecture and design: the last resort

the ‘last resort’ by RAFAA architecture and design all images courtesy RAFAA architecture and design

swiss firm RAFAA architecture and design recently won first prize for their project ‘the last resort’, in a design competition organized by the internationale bauausstellung in germany. they proposed a mobile floating architecture focusing on movement and autarchy. as its name suggests, the project follows the strategy of a last resort and tries to challenge known and familiar concepts and show alternative ways of living.

the programme is organised on two levels. in order to be able to have an adequate height of 2.5m in the upper deck, sleeping bunks, technical equipment and hatches are built into the lower deck. they serve as ‘extension rooms’ of the upper deck: beds and couches are embedded into the floor and can be opened as the need arises. the external measurements are 5m x 15m. in the front area, there is a covered terrace; there, you can find a staircase leading to the roof. together, the kitchen and the living room form a generous open room. the bathroom consists of a core separating both bedrooms from the common room. the bedroom can be separated by sliding panels and used separately as a study. all in all, there are six beds (incl. 2 bunk beds).

interior

two surfaces (floor and ceiling) frame the room experience ‘nature’; they form the upper and lower margin of the picture. since the height and shape of the levels can be varied, the perspective and view of the landscape keep changing. the floor, for example, bends downwards at one point and disappears into the water. at another point, the roof curves down to the floor. at some other spot, it opens in order to make space for the staircase. all this generates a play on forms that, together with the swell, the wind and the water reflection results in an intense nature experience.

lower floor

lusatian lakeland the horizontal, undulated shape of the waterfront is the inspiration for the design of the project. it also serves as means for orientation for the residents. the landscape can be understood as an extension of the living room. therefore, an unobstructed view of the landscape enhances the spatial quality of the design.

side views

generally, there are two types of use. when landing at a moorage, a high level of privacy is necessary due to possible adjacent neighbours. however, there is a practically boundless freedom when landing on unmarked sites. a flexible view and light protection are therefore necessary, not only for climatic reasons. it allows for the screening of certain rooms from others, if required.

floor plans

floor plans

side views

floor plan

exploded view

the roof and the floor are built with conventional methods of boat construction as load-bearing structure. they have reinforcing ribs made of fibre-reinforced plastic (frp). the bracing is effected through the core. the roof lies on the floor on certain spots and protrudes 2.5m over the terrace area. the shape of the ceiling adjusts itself to the static requirements. the roof’s forming during load effect has to be calculated for the accuracy of the geometry. for serial production, the use of cnc-machines has to be considered. the specialisation of digital production methods, together with traditional craft technology can be the future direction for the lusatian dockyards.