Maison flottante, Creative residency in Chatou, France

Maison Flottante is a flat-bottomed floating house and artistic workspace on the river in Chatou that measures 23 meters long and contains 110 square meters of interior space. The structure sits on water, stabilized by steel cables and braces to handle the movement from passing boats.

The cneai = Centre d'art, founded in 1997, received a public commission from the Ministry of Culture for its tenth anniversary to complete its artist studios. Since Chatou's planning rules barred new construction on the island, the project was built on water. The floating house was constructed in Le Havre by Constructions Métalliques Mouquet and first moored at Chatou near the Maison Fournaise; since 2021 it has been moored at Poses in Normandy.

The Bouroullec brothers based the design on the bateaux-lavoirs, the floating washhouses moored along the Seine in the early 20th century. The house is run by the cneai = Centre d'art, which invites artists for residencies and public events. It is now moored at Poses in Normandy, after years at Chatou near the Maison Fournaise.

The house is reached by a walkway from the riverbank; access depends on water levels and the centre's programme. It has been moored at Poses in Normandy since 2021, not at Chatou. Check the cneai = Centre d'art website before travelling, as opening times and guided visits vary with the residency calendar.

The house was built in Le Havre by Constructions Métalliques Mouquet. Its hull was studied to reduce rolling when barges pass, keeping the 110 m² floor stable. It was first moored at Chatou near Maison Fournaise, held to the bank by steel braces and cables.