THE WATERPOD

Photograph by Mary Mattingly

If you've looked out at the water this summer and noticed a barge that looks a little out of place, it's most likely the work of artists, permaculturists, and architects who have come together to collaborate on a floating eco-habitat called the Waterpod.

The Waterpod is focusing on the lessons and teachings of how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. The project launched it's journey in May, 2009, navigating down the East River, exploring the waters of the New York Harbor, stopping at each of the five boroughs, and docking at several Manhattan piers on the Hudson River this year. The green barge is a floating sculpture designed for a new habitat for the global warming epoch.

Appropriate Technology: Using human energy to create electric energy for small devices such as a cell phone or blender.

As a sustainable, navigable living space, the floating ecosystem showcases the critical importance of the environment and serves as a model for new living technologies. It illustrates positive interactions between communities: private and public; artistic and social; aquatic and terrestrial.

One of the grey-water drip gardens thriving onboard the vessel.

Built from recycled and reused materials, Waterpod is structured as a double-domed island for community and artistic activity, eco-initiatives including food grown with purified water from the Hudson River, and a living space.

Sleeping quarters for Waterpod crew and guest artists.

It is built of repurposed wood, metal, plastic, fabric, and other materials on top of and adjacent to an industrial barge. Construction materials include salvaged pieces of sunken vessels raised from the rivers bottom in the Rockaway and other areas. The main space is an amorphous shape dedicated to community and artistic activity including fine arts, performing arts, lectures, and workshops. Passengers can engage in navigation, mapping, recording, performing, art making, researching, and learning.

One of four chickens that lives on the barge producing eggs for the residents.

The second spherical space includes space for hydroponic and 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. Waterpod will rely solely on it's own power sources to function.

Open to the public for guided tours, Waterpod's course will be logged, blogged, charted, and reported online. It's purpose is to prepare and inform humanity for tomorrow's exterior explorations.

Waterpod will be docked at Staten Island from August 18th to August 31st, moving on to the Queens World's Fair Marina from September 1st through the 14th, and then at Concrete Plant Park from September 15th to September 28th.  They are uncertain about where the project will go from there, and are looking for funding or donations to keep going until at least November.

To find out more information on Waterpod, click here.