Prefab on Water, MetroShip Introduces Sustainable Houseboats

Sara Novak
Design / Sustainable Product Design
July 5, 2009

Larger boats can have a tremedous impact on the planet, so former prefab construction powerhouse David Ballinger has turned his attention to the water. His new design attempts to combat the conventional wisdom regarding houseboats. MetroShip is a sleek, more sustainable reinterpretation of those clunking houseboats of yesteryear.Prefab construction guru David Ballinger recently launched MetroShip, a more sustainable version of a traditional houseboat. You might be familiar with some of Ballinger’s other projects, which include MetroShed and MetroCabin. He has consistently worked to provide eco-friendly alternatives to traditional prefabricated construction projects. Ballinger came up with the MetroShip idea as a result of a quest to invent more comfortable housing in his home in London. Already accustomed to small spaces, the houseboat was a great fit in a great location -- the local marina. Sleek lines and minimalist decor make MetroShip a stunning interpretation of modern life on the water.

MetroShip’s Green HighlightsCountertops can be made from recycled faux-granite acrylic