"Floating House Could Ride New Orleans' Floods"

"NEW ORLEANS -- A house capable of floating atop rising floodwaters made its debut [Oct. 6] in New Orleans alongside more than a dozen other homes built through actor Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation.

Called the FLOAT House, the unique home aims to answer the challenge posed by the Big Easy's flood risk, starkly illustrated by the rising waters of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. ...

The dwelling was designed by Morphosis Architects under the direction of [Thom] Mayne, a professor at UCLA. Mayne said it's the first of its kind to be permitted in the United States.

It is long and narrow like the traditional New Orleans shotgun home and sits on a raised 4-foot base. It also has a front porch. But the home is contemporary in design, with sharp angles and energy efficient features like solar panels and a roof designed to capture and recycle water."

Stacey Plaisance reports for the Associated Press October 9, 2009.