Arquitectura flotante. Propuesta de intervención y mantenimiento de las edificaciones flotantes en madera del río Babahoyo

Abstract

At least two manners of living on water have been identified around world. These forms differ from each other mainly by theconstruction systemandtype of mobility: i) homeson stilts andii) houseboats. Thehouseboatsarealso calledfloating homesoramphibioushousing,depending on theterritorialcontextof study.Currentlythe floatinghousingis fully in forcein bothcontexts developed countries as well as developing countries.It presents a variety oftypes,building systems,materials,where creativity,cultural,technological andenvironmental conditions haveconditionedthe resultingarchitectural forms. In the local context, Babahoyopresents a traditional architecture known as ‘las balsas’. It refers to a small settlement of floating homes stationed on borders of the river. This exceptional architecture represents the evolution process of the architecture of the city and its culture. However, the whole settlement is not valued appropietely by authorities, citizens and families who live in. At the moment, these buildings have been affected by deterioration process product of time and inadequate interventions by their owners. In this sense, the present research aims to contribute to the understanding of this particular way of life, present in different contexts around the world, to study the stage of conservation and living conditions of the inhabitants who occupied ‘las balsas’, to finally, to develop a proposal to improving the main issues identified.Besides, a short content about internal environmental analysis and recommendationsis included.