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Since ancient times, humans have used boats and ships to transport goods worldwide. Those vessels would sometimes travel for months and be used as living quarters. Eventually, such floating structures became homes for many people, most choosing to have them moored in a fixed location. The most significant difference between a houseboat and a floating home is movement. Floating houses are moored in a fixed location but can be taken to different sites by a barge whenever needed.

Indians built their first houseboats 3,000 years BC in the southwest part of India and used them to transport goods such as rice, spices, and passengers. In Kerala, such houseboats are named Kettuvallams and have an average length of 100 feet (about 30 meters); three times the equivalent of a cargo truck. The most famous example of a luxury houseboat of ancient times is the Thalamegos, commissioned by Hellenistic king His Majesty Ptolemy IV Philopator for himself and his wife, Her Majesty Queen Arsinoe III Philopator.

Houseboats and floating homes may become a safe solution for residents in areas where sea level rise due to global warming threatens living conditions. The Netherlands is embracing floating house communities, as the population is growing and the available space on land is limited.

Hundreds of exciting houseboats and floating house designs can be found all over the world. Portland, Oregon, USA is where you will find the wave-shaped Fennell floating house built in 2005 by the Robert Oshatz architecture firm. Another unique design is the Hobbit houseboat in Kerala, India, built using traditional methods that do not use a single nail.

Houseboats and floating house communities are found globally, and with the availability of modern technology, sustainable and eco-friendly constructions are easily attainable. De Ceuvel is one of Europe's most sustainable and unique urban developments, focusing on green technology. It has been built using primarily recycled materials from old houseboats destined for demolition and uses second-hand materials sourced from all over the Netherlands.