These innovative, eco-friendly floating homes are currently under construction

Floating homes, luxury living, and smart technology don't often mix, but this new project brings them all together in an unexpected way.

Ocean Builders, a Panama-based company known for its pioneering marine technology, has revealed a new range of 'revolutionary living pods' that seamlessly combine all three elements.

Created by Dutch architect Koen Olthuis and his team at Waterstudio, the three available models include the SeaPod, designed for life on the water, the GreenPod, intended for land use, and the EcoPod, an environmentally and economically sustainable option.

Raised design

The Seapod was envisioned by Rüdiger Koch, Head of Engineering at Ocean Builders, in collaboration with CEO Grant Romundt, as a solution to the growing space shortages in popular coastal areas.

The raised design offers 833 square feet (73 square meters) of living space, which includes a master bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom, spread across three and a half levels.

Designed for two people, the unit is buoyed by over 1,688 cubic feet of air-filled steel tubes, elevating it 7.5 feet (2.2 meters) above the water. It also features 575 square feet of panoramic windows and provides 360-degree views of the ocean.

Romundt envisions the design as a way to redefine the concepts of home and travel, offering residents the ability to live on water without sacrificing the comforts of modern living.

'Typically, living on water means living on a boat, which often provides an unsatisfactory living arrangement for most people,' Romundt explains to Dinogo Travel.

'We’ve created a home that floats on water, offering the experience of living on land but with even more benefits,' he adds.

The pods will feature cutting-edge technology, including customizable options that allow residents to personalize both the design and functionality to their needs.

Next-generation homes

Residents will wear special 'smart rings' that allow them to unlock doors and control their music with a simple wave of the hand.

'If Apple had designed a home, it would probably look something like the SeaPod, GreenPod, or EcoPod,' says Romundt. 'These homes are packed with technology.'

'Instead of using your phone as a digital assistant, think of your home as the assistant, helping you optimize your life,' Romundt explains.

The pods will initially be stationed near Linton Bay Marina, but the Ocean Builders team plans to expand internationally once they are confident the technology can be supported globally.

A passionate advocate for oceanfront living, Romundt previously resided in a floating home in Toronto, describing it as a lifestyle that's hard to beat.

'There’s something truly magical about waking up, stepping downstairs, and hopping on a paddleboard for a morning paddle,' he shares.

Drone deliveries

'It’s incredibly peaceful and beautiful. Most people spend the whole year longing for their two-week vacation on a tropical island, where they can relax, recharge, and restore their energy,' says Romundt.

'So why not live that way all year long? With the ability to work remotely now, it’s easier than ever,' he adds.

While those choosing to live in these units will likely need an adventurous spirit and a love for water, Romundt mentions that the team doesn't have a specific type of customer in mind.

In fact, he’s confident that most people who experience the Seapod, even for just a few minutes, will be eager to own one themselves.

'When I lived in my floating home in Toronto, everyone who visited instantly fell in love with it,' he recalls.

'All I need to do is get people aboard a Seapod for five minutes. The experience will completely blow their minds. It’s truly amazing,' Romundt shares.

But what about practical concerns like buying groceries or traveling to and from the pod?

Romundt explains that specialized aerial drones will deliver items like food, medicine, and other small necessities directly to the pods.

For larger shipments, an autonomous vessel will take care of deliveries, while also acting as a recycling unit to collect ocean waste and help keep the waters clean.

'Eco-friendly restorative homes'

Residents and visitors can reach the SeaPod via dinghy, jet ski, local water taxis, or even their own boats and vessels.

While the pods are designed for a minimalist lifestyle, they still offer a spacious 1,250 square feet of storage space inside.

With a strong emphasis on sustainability, the pods are designed 'to benefit the surrounding environment' and serve 'as a natural habitat for ocean life to flourish.'

'We’re aiming to build homes that are good for the environment and do no harm,' Romundt explains.

'We’re constantly innovating to find even better ways to achieve this. We’re not perfect yet, but we’re always striving to improve,' he adds.

The first fully completed pods are set to be unveiled online in late September, with potential buyers able to visit them in person shortly afterward.

'People have been eager to purchase them for years,' Romundt says, noting that the Ocean Builders team waited to accept deposits until buyers could see the pods firsthand.

'A monumental project'

'This is something truly groundbreaking. So many real estate ventures fail to materialize, despite people investing in them.'

'We didn’t want to take deposits until people could actually visit and step onto a pod. I’m thrilled that we’ve finally reached that stage,' Romundt shares.

'This is a huge endeavor. I was hoping to finish it two years ago, but to have it completed in just three and a half years is truly remarkable.'

Those who are quick enough to grab one of the first 100 Ocean Builders pods could move in by the end of 2023, assuming everything goes according to plan.

Production is set to begin on an additional 1,000 pods by 2024.