Idle days on the river: A floating demonstration of elegant living by Werner Aisslinger.

Could you manage with just 39 square metres to live in? Well if it was in a spectacular setting on the River Nagold and your essential needs were catered for in such elegant style as with Häfele Functionality Cube you might be tempted to downsize. The pavilion was designed by Werner Aisslinger, for the Germany's National Garden Festival in Baden-Wuerttemberg. The accommodation provides living, cooking, working and sleeping space. There is also external space as the cube sits on a floating pontoon. The whole arrangement looks simple enough but there is some sophisticated engineering to keep the floating pontoon stable, even at high water. This is achieved by having two steel beams connected to the bank with articulated connections. The design ensures that fluctuations in water level, for example when a boat passes, does not rock the boat too much. There is also the benefit that being surrounded by cool water there is no need for air conditioning. The Häfele Functionality Cube will be there until the October the 7.