Inverted hull calculations.

For years I’ve been pondering building a small house shaped like an inverted boat hull like this “Pod” made by Armadilla. There are some good photos in this vacation rental listing : https://www.airbnb.com/l/K0K3uTNh

I’m more of a builder than a designer, and was wondering if any designers here could help me understand how to calculate or estimate the curves and proportions. It seemed like the kind of calculation a boat designer would be dealing with, just inverted.

Rather than figuring it out exclusively via copious trial and error I would greatly appreciate it if someone could give me any ideas on how to come up with dimensions. I’m envisioning creating station forms and then bending ribs over them.

Thank you in advance for any ideas or help anyone can give me. I would consider paying someone to do design work if necessary, so if anyone has suggestions of people to talk to about it that would be appreciated as well.

 

Welcome to the forum.
In principle, and from what I understand (I hope I'm not mistaken), the calculations should be done exactly the same as for a normal hull. The shape of the boat, or the floating object, below the waterline does not change the calculation procedures.

 

First step is to write down a set of "requirements", and work out a preliminary floor plan and size. Since the vertical height inside will decrease towards the sides so sketch several cross sections.
Second step is to investigate how it would be built. If the sides/tops need to sheathed in plywood or similar then the possible shapes will be restricted to what is know as developable. If the sheathing can be individual planks then there is much more freedom in the shape. (The pods in you link are not developable shapes.) A skin which is weather tight and wind resistant will be needed.

 

Since you're into building on shore your design is not bounded to any requirement a floating object has to float. Your design and it's form is only limited by your own requirements like livingspace and your abilities and tools, otherwise almost all shapes are possible.

For your own interest and maybe some design inspiration you should search for parametric design or parametric architecture on google, lots of cool stuff there!

I would like to assist you with the design.

 

I am a shipwright and a general contractor. In my opinion, the first step is to look at codes and regulations, which are completely different from a boat's. What area are you planning on building it?

 

Build a scale model for GI Joe and Barbie before building the full size version. It will give you spacial perspective and assembly insight. Your arm is a crane. A real crane will cost lots of money.