In the midst of endless nature along the canals, and living an off-grid lifestyle, it's easy to forget that I'm surrounded by some of the most unique architecture, and way of living in the 21st Century; that of a narrowboat.
A narrowboat, a long mobile vessel with a normal width of 7ft, and varying lengths from 23ft to 70 ft, is home to over 15000 boat people of Britain..
The subject of my fascination is of this unexpected extraordinary narrowboat named Brenda May; a mobile home on the canals here in the UK.
N.B. This is not the typical architecture and design post. However, I've chosen this community as the place to share the incredible arts, architecture and design, used to create accommodation which carries the standard facilities of a modern traditional apartment. I hope you'll appreciate the ingenuity of this creation.
Variety is Common in the Narrowboating World
The boats are all different in sizes and designs, and some are more unique than others. There's no restrictions or limits as to what you can do with your narrowboat, except for some safety regulations that must be met for full insurance and registration and passing of your vessel.
Therefore, a person with a creative mind can let their imaginations run wild.
Environmental Design
Being a "fire dragon," according to Chinese Beliefs, this one-of-a-kind narrowboat with a depiction of a dragon as a focal frontal piece, caught my eyes instantly.
This Bow (front of the boat) design is rather unique.
Normally, there's a window or door at the bow of the boat, which enables you to look out and see oncoming traffic or locks, or anything that lies ahead.However, this one has open spaces on either side under the canvas.
Did you notice that the dragon is made of car tyres?
Among some of the noticeable recycled materials used to up-cycle and create art, are rubber tyres from old cars and bicycles.
These black swans and hanging monkey are made from recycled bicycle tyres.
This to me, is remarkable because I remember when I lived in the Netherlands, there were days when large teams would do canal clean-ups, that would retrieve insurmountable amounts of bicycle tyres discarded in the canals.
Also, in keeping with the off-grid environmentally conscious design, of this mobile home, is the installation of several solar panels for energy consumption and self-sustainability.
Side hatches provide additional lighting and an illusion of a more open space. I think this is a smart idea, as the porthole windows are so small.
'I could have spent hours exploring this boat. It's like a museum piece.'
Architecture and Design
A significant aspect of the architecture design that differs in narrowboats is that of the stern (the back of the boat, where the steering mechanism known as the tiller is installed). This stern is known as the traditional stern, which has just adequate space for the skipper of the boat.
Surrounding the tiller, is the implementation of environmentally efficient systems of solar panels and wind generator.
Painting Decoration
The monotone painting decoration is different to that of colourful tradition narrowboats. This one takes on a darker theme, enhanced with quirky decoration that holds its striking appeal.
This is a rare narrowboat on the network, and it's unlikely that I'll ever see another boat like this on the canals.
There's even a solar energy clock attached to the tiller, which makes keeping time to the slow movement of the narrowboat easy.
Isn't this narrowboat design just an amazingly creative piece of work?
Three Wise Monkeys
Another of the collectible art pieces on this boat which I bet has much meaning to the owner. This display of the Three Wise Monkeys encapsulates an essential positive attitude of life.
Truth be told, living an off-grid nomadic lifestyle on a narrowboat is a incomprehensible concept to many; and I find this principle somewhat suitable:
See No Evil
Speak No Evil
Hear No Evil
...Let things and people be.
Differences make the world beautiful.
I love individuality, and this narrowboat is right up my street.
So Many Collectibles, So Many Stories
Everything tells a story, and I can see that careful thought was put into it.
Yet, this is just the exterior.
For the outside world, I often wonder what homeowners feel when they look through their windows and see a new boat mooring up.
This would be a conversation piece, don't you think?
This boat aroused my curiosity on so many levels.
I imagine a reverse layout, with the bedroom to the front of the boat.
Most likely, the occupant(s) of this boat are not continuous cruisers, as they would have to rearrange and guard many items on top of the boat, to safely navigate their way under some low bridges and tunnels.
The creativity, design, and collection of arts make me wonder what kind individual the owner might be. It makes me wonder what the daily motivations and aspirations of the boat owner is in living an off-grid lifestyle on a mobile home.
What are your thoughts of this narrowboat?
When you think of an architecture design for a home, did a design of this off-grid alternative structure come to mind?
As it stands, this boat is "my most memorable narrowboat" seen to date, and it shows just how creative one can be in living a comfortable off-grid lifestyle.
Do you dream of improving Stewardship to earth?
Have you ever wondered about living, designing and creating an off-grid accommodation?
Please feel free to share your comments.
Thank you so much for reading;)
That's quirky and creative! Since this post is focused on the design of the narrowboat as a "mobile home", it's a welcoming change in our community topics.
Thank you very much Arni! Yes, it's different from the norm, but definitely a stand-out one.
Hopefully one day I'll have a tour to see what the owner has done with the interior design. I'm sure there are other environmental hacks and additions that I probably could not see from my distance.
I'll also like to hear the story, as I believe a lot of this individuals journey is reflected and implemented in this design;)
Hello @millycf1976. Wow! I would probably compare an RV (recreational vehicle) on land to your Narrowboat, such that both of them are interesting versions of a mobile home. We don't typically cover all sorts of marine transportation in this community however, viewing your vessel as a mode of residence shifts the story into a more architectural perspective. So far, what's your most difficult challenge while living on the water?
Thanks for your feedback!
Yes, Narrowboats are considered homes and registered as permanent residences for thousands in the UK. In the industrial era, they were the main mode of transportation for goods, but trains replaced that hundreds of years ago.
Plans for Narrowboats (and all other marine vessels) require the skills of marine architects, who can offer innovative ideas and solutions for maximum efficient use of tiny spaces, in keeping with safety regulations.
It's an unusual concept of residence that allows navigation of the canal network at maximum speeds of 4 miles per hour; I walk faster;)Hello @storiesoferne
The transition for us has been easy, because it really is a downsized version of a house ;)
I hope one day you'll get the chance to experience one in live and living colours, then it would make more sense to you😀
Thank you for your comprehensive update. Being official homes in the UK, those Narrowboats are great alternative abodes to consider for people searching for a more interesting lifestyle. I’d love to be onboard one someday to experience how it feels like, and would definitely try to compare my walking pace to its speed on the canal...lol 😁
Before I read this post I never knew that there are British people living on boats, by the way, the Brenda May boat is awesome :)
I believe that to be true actually😀
Living on boats in the UK does not get the wide publicity in par to the prevalence and popularity of narrowboats in the UK.
The canal network of over 2000 miles is full of narrowboats.
The beauty about the UK's system is that you are free to cruise the network, and there is only a little restriction for longer boats. Maximum length of narrowboats is 70ft, however the limit on the length of boat is 57ft, for a narrowboat to pass through all locks. The locks is the engineering along the canals to take boats up and down different levels (England is fairly hilly), as the canals are manmade;)
Thank you for the information, I learned a lot :)
😀 You're welcome!
It's a different yet beautiful way of living.
Keep flourishing!Hi @millycf1976 Seems like a beautiful narrow boat with all those recycled decorations. It would a wonderful experience though and I would love to try it someday.
Thank you!😊
Yes, I realised the beauty too :)
It is a lovely experience that I wish every one to enjoy.
I'm looking forward to my 1st winter, as I ca imagine it will be atmospheric, and brings out the best in everyone in the boating community.
Thank you for stopping by, and all good wishes to you 🤗Hello @praditya
Wow that's quite the eclectic decor. It's pretty cool that a lot of stuff is made from recycled material. If I saw that boat pull up I probably be thinking that Mad Max had arrived lol.
The boat is pretty cool though. Very unique.
It is indeed!
There's no chance of your forgetting this boat if you ever see it.
Yes, everything appears to be from recycled materials, which is in keeping with the off-grid alternative lifestyle of narrowboaters.
I think the owner has a quirky, creative mind, and I would love to have a tour to see what some of his other environmental practices are :)
Mobile homes are incredible and intelligently build showcasing all the important aspect in compact spaces. You too live in a narrow boat? How interesting, how is the life living there? Is it easy to live an off grid style and this is soo cool I have never witnessed such a living but would love to see!
Take care, stay awesome!Hey @millycf1976
I totally agree with you!
Yes, I live on a narrowboat too! It's an amazing and interesting way to see the world. I absolutely love it.
The transition to this new way of life has been so easy. I think it's because we quickly discovered how little we really need to live comfortably.
The Canal and River Trust who maintains the British Waterways does an incredible job in looking after the facilities boaters need, and they do maintain the towpaths well.
Thank you so much for stopping by 😍Hello @sahiba-rana
That's the true minimalistic life!
Indeed!:)
I have been considering the van nomad lifestyle, earthships, and architectural design for more sustainable and energy-eddicient life. After all, big houses with large volumes require more physical effort to clean, not to mention energy costs and construciton costs.
A friend of mine visited me over the weekend in her Mobile Van Home. I was blown away by how modern, pleasant and creative the use of space was. I think it's an absolutely brilliant way toile in these times.
Such nomadic lifestyles is a vying option to narrowboats:)
It is a refreshing topic on the architecture and design community. We often heard about tiny home on wheels, but what you have shared is homes on vote. Enjoy some !PIZZA
$PIZZA@millycf1976! I sent you a slice of on behalf of @juecoree.
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Thank you very much for your kind feedback,😊 and the pizza😁😋
this looks like army Alusista
Haha! I get what you mean.
That's one of the reasons why I think there are some interesting personal influences infused in this design, that I'll love to know more about ;)
I don't know where to start... 😍
I would really take my time printing everything in my mind; the art pieces and the creativity that was put into it.
Yes, I would want to know more about the people in that vessel and also would want to know how they've decorated the inside. Is it as extraordinary or did they hone it in to be habitable?
I can only believe they did a remarkable job on the inside too.
It's very rare for people to go through such extravagance on the exterior and not make the interior amazing.
I would love to have a tour of the boat if I ever I encounter it, as I can imagine the efficient and innovation use of space and storage hacks that they might have.😍
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