Anne on the Waterpod

MYFOXNY.COM - Anne About Town visited the Waterpod, a floating art installation and sustainable living space that is docked at Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport. Five artists are inviting the public to visit them as they float on the Hudson and East rivers while living in the Waterpod until September 29.

Watch Anne's report to the left

The $150,000 project has been financed with private donations and grants. On the barge, food is grown, drinking water is derived from purified rainwater, electricity is generated through solar wind and bicycle power and waste is recycled into compost. There is no fuel of any kind on board. Marine batteries are used for power storage.

Two domes sit on the barge. One is used for community activity, like lectures and arts. The second spherical space is used for agriculture. A third area includes a kitchen and shower area. A fourth area contains four seperate bedrooms. Each room consists of a bed, shelf and two exits. The compositing toilet is in a free standing buidling.

Waterpod is designed to withstand 70-knot winds. In the event of a hurricane or other severe condtion it would be towed to a secure location.

According to its creaters, Waterpod demonstrates the future for "nomadic, mobile shelters and water-based communties, docked and roaming."

Over the next few months, the barge will be towed to different points including Sheepshead Bay Marina in Brooklyn, Governor's Island and Staten Island.

Waterpod will be open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8 a.m. to -4 p.m., and on the weekend from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with occasional evening events.

CLICK HERE FOR THE DOCKING SCHEDULE