The overall concept of ARK is intended to be environmentally neutral. New impacts of the floating ARKs include visual, with the appearance of a human habitation where previously none, or few, were viable; traffic movement, as new human inhabitants move to and from their ARKs by boat. There are no new impacts for the flood ARKs – in fact, the appearance of a modern 'designer' home in place of something in utilitarian fibro and tin might be seen by some as an improvement … Otherwise ARKs are environmentally neutral – they require no landscaping, access roads, water / sewage / power / phone reticulation, and they make no demands on their environment. They take their water and power from renewable sources, and ‘excrete’ micro-filtered water and solid waste processed to compost.

It’s important to remember that ARKs are intended for isolated location. Several firms in Holland produce floating houses intended as urban or suburban residential options, and apart from being built on floats, are as similar to traditional terrace houses in all other aspects as possible, including close proximity to each other – Coronation Street afloat. They require town water, special sewage, power and phone connections, they attract berthing fees and currently cost from €260,000 (AU$350,000). On the other hand, ARK is expansive with its own particular style as a home, as well as being self-sufficient, self sustaining to the greatest possible extent and requiring close to zero structural maintenance through a projected life of more than 100 years of normal use.

Energy – ARK collects solar power throughout its flat rooftop area through latest technology photovoltaic film. The energy is stored in dispersed rechargeable lithium ion batteries which do not develop memory. Energy requirement is minimised though use of translucent flooring, energy efficient LED lighting and white-good utilities and use of direct solar or other ‘free’ power where possible (for air conditioning, water heating etc).

Water – is collected as rain using ag-tuf sails mounted on the rooftop. Water is stored in the 10,000 litre tank located in the core at the doughnut level. (Additional storage can be added for flood ARKs.) It is pumped to a pressure header tank above the core at roof level to provide a stable soundless pressure head even in the event of power failure.

Waste disposal - grey water (from shower, sinks and clothes washer) is stored for reuse in flushing toilets. Toilet waste is processed with solid content converted to compost; grey water is micro-filtered before return to the environment as 99.99% pure – drinking water quality.

Heating / cooling – solar dish or bar collector units accumulate heat which is stored in a concentrator heat bank in the doughnut. This unit releases heat for water, cooking and air conditioning. Air cooling and refrigeration is achieved through use of high efficiency heat pump technology, dumping excess heat into the water for floating ARKs, into the shaded underside of the shell for flood ARKs. The insulating properties of the thick (10 cm) HySSIL structural concrete panels and translucent honeycomb flooring panels, and the use of double glazing ensures a highly stable internal thermal environment in ARK.

Communications - not strictly 'environmental', but two-way satelite internet connection will provide all web functions plus VOIP telephony without reliance on telephone lines or on mobile phone coverage.