What would your choice of materials be?

Hi Guys, I usually build houses but I have decided to do something like this. I love the look.

sprenger von der lippe: houseboat on the eilbek canal https://www.designboom.com/architecture/sprenger-von-der-lippe-houseboat-on-the-eilbek-canal/

If you were to make a replica of this, what materials would you use for the hull/pontoon, ground floor and top floor? My metal guy says he would do the bottom from steel and the top aluminum.

Also I know nothing about displacement and the hull strength to support such a structure, is this easy to calculate?

 

You, who build houses, know what material you would prefer to use for the superstructure. I would make the hull of the same material.
For displacement and calculations of the structure, the most practical thing is that you contact with a naval architect. It is not difficult to calculate, but a professional will give you security.

 

A lot of those houseboats use concrete for the bottom.

From an expense and insulation point of view, wood could be a strong contender for the top.

 

OK thank you wise ones. So concrete it is then for the hull. I did a quick look for this and it is a polystyrene core with rebar and a particular type of additive in the concrete. Would I be a fool attempting to do this myself? It looks like it is going to set me back 20-30k euros for this size from a quick look around the pontoon companies.

Yes as for the insulation I would use OSB + spray insulation foam on the inside, maybe even another 10 cm polystyrene on the outside as winters get cold where I live. The fancy external cladding would be similar to the picture. The windows would be triple glazed with aluminum frames.

One more question if I could. I am trying to secure a long-term mooring so it would be pretty much in the same place for 10 years I hope. To get from A to B it is better to get towed rather than build in my own engine I guess. Engine use once every 10 years is not a good use of money.

 

I suspect you could locate someone experienced in ferro-cement boats to oversee the operation. The "additive" most used is Pozzolan or "fly-ash" which is a waste product from coal powered power stations. There are a large number of additional additives available.

Do they have PVC frames in your area ? Aluminium tends to carry heat out, unless its got a substantial thermal break system.

Yeah, that's the real problem.

You might be better off getting a block of land in the country, build a house this style and put a moat around it. Houseboats are a pain to locate unless you have a lot of flooded land like Holland.