Could these floating homes in the shadow of the Olympic Stadium help solve London’s housing crisis?

Newham Recorder: dRMM's Floatopolis submissiondRMM's Floatopolis submission (Image: Jason Hawkes)

It’s a radical vision, but it’s one of 100 ideas shortlisted in New London Architecture’s competition to help solve the capital’s lack of homes.

Held in collaboration with the Mayor of London, the venture has seen more than 200 entries from 16 different countries.

The top 100 ideas will go on display in a free public exhibition, with 10 winners given the opportunity to join a Greater London Authority working group to examine how their proposals could be applied for real.

Among the plans to go on display next month is Baca Architects’ Buoyant Starts Floating Homes.

It would create 7,500 new fixed floating homes on the city’s canal network, which they believe could be completed within a year.

Floatopolis, a submission from dRMM, looks at transforming the docks into water neighbourhoods with lidos, cinemas and schools as well as housing.

Lord Bob Kerslake, chairman of the London Housing Commission, said: “The scale of the challenge is so big that we genuinely need some fresh thinking.

“There are a lot of new ideas here particularly new approaches to tenure and off site construction.”

The New Ideas for Housing exhibition will go on display at The Building Centre, Store Street, Marylebone, from 15 October to 17 December.