We are making history, and it’s happening right now beneath the surface of the ocean. Our journey toward ocean habitation has taken a bold new step, as we’re now inside our fully functional underwater room, setting the stage for a monumental world record attempt.
Rüdiger Koch, Co-Founder of Ocean Builders, is currently attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the longest time living underwater in an underwater room, a feat that not only highlights human endurance but also advances the possibilities of sustainable ocean living. But this journey wasn’t without its challenges, especially when it comes to the immense force of water pressure.
Understanding the Power of Water Pressure
One of the most significant obstacles to underwater construction is water pressure. As you descend deeper into the ocean, pressure increases dramatically, and if a structure isn’t properly reinforced, it can be crushed under the weight of the water. When designing our underwater room, ensuring its durability under pressure was a top priority.
To understand and test these forces, we built a small-scale model, a crash test dummy, if you will, to simulate the conditions the full-size underwater room would face. The goal? To see how deep we could go before the structure failed.
Testing the Limits
Our team lowered the test model into the ocean, attaching weights to drag it down and cameras to capture the action as it descended. As it passed 19 meters, we saw the first signs of stress, a small buckle in the structure. By 25 meters, the test model collapsed under the pressure.
But far from being a failure, this test provided us with exactly the data we needed. The small-scale dummy wasn’t constructed using the same materials and techniques as the actual underwater room. Its collapse showed us where improvements were needed and gave us invaluable insight into how to reinforce the final design.
Building the Future of Ocean Living
When we scaled up, the underwater room was built using thicker materials and more robust construction techniques, ensuring that it can withstand the pressure of the ocean depths. The windows, frames, and structural reinforcements make it far stronger than the test model, and rest assured, the final room is not as deep as the test dummy was. Our underwater room is 11 meters below the surface.
This is the beginning of something extraordinary. We are creating not only a new way of living but also a vision for the future of ocean habitation. Imagine living on the water, now take it a step further and picture yourself living under it.
Our passion for ocean living drives every aspect of this project. As we make history with this Guinness World Record attempt, we’re also paving the way for future generations to explore, live, and thrive in harmony with the ocean.
We couldn’t be more excited about what’s to come, and we hope you’ll join us on this groundbreaking journey. Stay tuned for more updates, because the future is here, and it’s underwater!
Follow along on TikTok for daily updates on Rudy’s progress underwater.
