Houseboats as Student Housing: HAW Kiel Explores Living on the Water
Living directly on the water instead of in a traditional student dormitory: At HAW Kiel, a new housing concept is currently being developed that could make this idea reality. The university is working on a floating housing project designed specifically for students.
Project Background
The project originally began as a student bachelor’s thesis and has since developed into a broader interdisciplinary research initiative at HAW Kiel. Building on this academic groundwork, the concept has evolved into a planned floating housing project intended for the Schwentine area near the university campus.
The idea is not only focused on creating additional student accommodation, but also on exploring innovative and climate-friendly forms of housing on water. According to the project description, the floating buildings are intended to function as modular living units that can be integrated into an urban environment while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability.
“The project is currently in the conceptualization phase,” says Theresa Leinkauf, project manager of the floating housing initiative at HAW Kiel, in written responses to interview questions for this article. “The goal of the current funding period is to develop a finalized concept for a prototype that is ready for tendering and construction.”
The project is currently funded through the LEF program of the EKSH (Energie- und Klimaschutzstiftung Schleswig-Holstein). The funding phase runs from February 1 until October 31, 2026.
Unlike traditional mobile houseboats, the planned structures are intended to remain permanently moored. “Because the floating buildings are planned to stay stationary, we are not dealing with normal houseboats, but rather floating buildings,” Leinkauf explains.
A central aspect of the concept is sustainability. “We aim to achieve the highest possible level of self-sufficiency through renewable energy systems,” Leinkauf says. Planned features include photovoltaic systems on the roofs as well as the use of water-based heat energy.
Affordable Housing on the Water
Although no final number of floating housing units has been confirmed, around 20 floating buildings along the Schwentine could theoretically be possible, according to the project team.
While exact rental prices have not yet been calculated, Leinkauf says: “Our declared goal is to create affordable housing for students. For us, that means costs comparable to current student residences.”
To reduce construction expenses, the project plans to rely on modular construction methods and the reuse of existing residential containers.
Current plans suggest that each floating building could house six students in a shared apartment arrangement. The interiors are expected to be furnished, similar to existing student dormitories.
Questions regarding rental contracts and lease durations have not yet been finalized. However, according to Leinkauf, the team plans to orient itself toward concepts already used in existing student dormitories.
Support from the City and Public Interest
The preferred location for the project is near the mouth of the Schwentine River close to the university campus. According to Leinkauf, the team is already in contact with the City of Kiel regarding the project. Former mayor Ulf Kämpfer had also expressed support for the initiative during his time in office.
At the same time, the concept is designed to remain flexible in terms of location. Existing harbor or dock infrastructure could also potentially be used for the floating buildings.
Public reactions to the concept have so far been largely positive. “We keep receiving inquiries asking whether such a project could also be realized for non-students,” Leinkauf says. “The idea of living on the water seems to receive strong support in Kiel.”
While many practical and organizational details still need to be clarified, the project already represents one of the more unusual and ambitious approaches to student housing currently being explored in northern Germany.
If the conceptual phase is completed successfully by the end of October 2026, the next step would be the construction of a functional prototype before a larger pilot project with multiple floating units could follow.
Whether floating student housing will eventually become reality in Kiel remains to be seen. But as finding affordable accommodation continues to challenge many students, innovative concepts like the Schwentine project are already attracting growing interest.
What do you think about the idea of floating student housing in Kiel? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
