World's Safest House Located in Berkeley, CA

[AsahinaKimi]

The world's safest house is hidden in a small Berkeley, California, neighborhood on a narrow strip of land.

The house, located at 2747 Matthews St. in Berkeley, was originally named Ojo del Sol, or Eye of the Sun, by Dr. Eugene Tsui, Bay Area architect and designer. Locals, however, call it the Fish House due to its unusual aquatic-like appearance, complete with side fins.

Safe Design

Is it really the world's safest house? According to Tsui's website, the residence was constructed to withstand any natural disaster, including fire, flooding, and -- of particular concern in California -- earthquakes.

Tsui's website explains, "This structure is based upon the world's most indestructible living creature -- the Tardigrade, with its oval plan and parabolic top it utilizes the same structural principles nature employs in creating an astoundingly durable design."

http://news.yahoo.com/worlds-safest-house-located-berkeley-ca-204900056.html

[Itchinjim]

1. Yeah? What about zombies?

[AsahinaKimi]

4. Zombies in Berkeley?

Moooooooooo!!

(ref: http://www.berkeleyfarms.com/)

[BlueStreak]

2. Kind of ironic that if you follow links to the architect's website

you find one of the LEAST artistic websites on the planet. I always thought architecture was supposed to be a form of art.

I wonder how this has affected home values in the neighborhood.

[hunter]

5. One thing I have never cared about...

... is how it "affected home values in the neighborhood."

Fortunately none of my neighbors care about that shit either.

Being a "good neighbor" means something else; it's never about the money.

[NV Whino]

8. That is one of the worst designed websites I've ever seen

Actually painful on the eyes. Even if one perseveres to the "new" webisite, it doesn't improve much.

[Gregorian]

3. I lived in the world's most dangerous house in Los Gatos.

Four years in a cabin that had obviously gone through the SF quake of 1906. A tiny 400 sq ft redwood trapper's shack that was literally frightening to live in. And I'm very difficult to scare. But probably a lot more fun than being safe.

[david13]

6. Earthquake and suenami proof, huh?

Groovy.
Oh wait, isn't that what they said about Japan, and all that?
Actually, there are a bunch of weird looking houses in Berkeley, aka Bezerkeley, so this fits in nicely, and if anything perhaps raises the property values.
Which, in Berkeley, are quite high.
dc

[AsahinaKimi]

7. *Tsunami...

Its a Japanese word

[david13]

9. Yes, I know that.

How to pronounce, spell or understand any of the Japanese words or symbols is way beyond me.
I'm still learning how to use my computer. Oh, and the tv remote.
I certainly would like to visit Japan tho'. I think that would be very interesting.
dc

[zappaman]

10. Yes, but can it withstand Gojira?

Doubt it...