R+T Park Living Lab: The Buoyant Foundation

The David Johnston Research + Technology Park (R+T Park) at the University of Waterloo serves as a dynamic hub for innovation, home to a vibrant community of over 4,500 individuals, all driving progress in fields as diverse as technology, digital solutions, and life sciences. Through its Living Labs, the park provides real-world environments for testing and refining emerging technologies, helping to turn groundbreaking research into tangible products and solutions.

At the University of Waterloo’s R+T Park, the Buoyant Foundation, led by Professor Elizabeth English, is testing floating homes to address climate change-induced flooding. Using the park’s stormwater pond, researchers are exploring the stability, durability, and wind resistance of these innovative flood-resistant structures. The R+T Park’s Living Labs Initiative invites innovators to collaborate and test ideas in real-world conditions.