”Loup de Mer” is a conceptual houseboat for students or people with a fluctuating need for permanent residence in Oslo- or other urban harbors.

The design seeks to propose a new formal identity, or formal language, of the houseboat. The main focus has been on formal expression, and how the units relate to the city. It's inspired by both architectural and naval elements, which have resulted in a concept that in many ways challenge the “typical houseboat” as we know it today.

I wanted to find a formal balance between “the house” and “the boat”.

“Loup de Mer” utilizes areas of the harbor that is vacant in the off-season. They form an independent accessible structure with no fixed mooring, thus not occupying the harbor when they are out sailing.

With this concept I hope to question the houseboat as we know it, and propose a new formal identity for future houseboats.

The main topics that I wanted to question were:

• Identity
• Appearance
• Mobility
• Accessibility.

Motto: “Loup de Mer”
Designer: Espen E. Erikstad
Web: www.erikstad-arkitektur.com
Country: Norway
University: The Oslo School of Architecture and Design

About Espen E. Erikstad

Espen E. Erikstad is a 5th year Master Arch. Student at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design. He also runs his own architecture and design company Erikstad Arkitektur.

"My approach to architecture is to design structures and objects of consciousness. Either it is environmentally, socially, financially, or aesthetically. I hope to raise consciousness through my projects."

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