"Infinite freedom. Endless possibilities. No compromises. A penthouse lifestyle on the water." says Rev House on its homepage. Tom from SUPERIOR MAGAZINE visited Lars Voigt, co-founder of Rev House, on the houseboat at a sunny afternoon to find out more about the Rev House spirit.
Lars, before we talk about Rev House, could you please tell us a little bit about your background and where you come from?
As the owner of a Berlin-based design store and someone who has many years of experience in interior design, for me Rev House is the fulfilment of a long-cherished dream to design holistic living spaces. The idea is to create harmony between the object, the users and the environment and to shape something that is a source of wellbeing.
Where does the name Rev House come from?
Rev House is short for “revolutionary living spaces” and is dedicated to answering the question of how we can live with and on water in the future.
Where do the inspirations for the houseboats come from?
My business partner, yachting professional Stefan Hübbe developed the concept of Rev House following a three-year sailing trip from Australia to Europe. His experience of being up close to nature inspired him to create novel living spaces in spectacular settings that offer enhanced quality of life. As I am an interior design specialist, he got me on board to help translate his idea into a floating luxury home offering maximum comfort. That came about in 2010.
What is the Rev House concept? Is it an alternative for a flat or house?
For many people, living close to the water represents improved quality of life, but waterfront lots are limited and very expensive. Houseboats, on the other hand, are usually very simple constructions that offer little comfort. The solution is Rev House – mobile penthouses that meet the most discerning demands for design, quality and durability. They are completely operational, can be used on all European waterways, and are able to dock in every yacht marina.
What are the specifications of your houseboats?
Rev House provides a lot of space to enjoy life. The basement and the Roof Terrace have about 100 m² each. We use extremely stable hull made from 8 mm thick steel. The houseboat has a multi-level biological sewage treatment system and a water purification system that filters freshwater from lakes and rivers (using a multi-level filter system and UV light) to produce crystal-clear water for showering and washing the dishes. An additional special membrane generates certified potable water. Furthermore the houseboat uses water underfloor heating.
The general design of the houseboats comes from you. Are your customers also involved in the design process of their boat?
Rev House Living Spaces is one of the few boatbuilders that allows customers to draft their very own floor plan. Rev House architects and interior designers develop tailored solutions – including customer specifications such as open fireplaces, underwater lighting, hot tubs and ballrooms.
Can you describe the process how to build the boat? How long does it take?
First of all we build the hull, and at about the same time we start constructing the body of the house. As soon as the hull is finished and has been equipped with all the technology it needs, the two parts are joined together. We call this the “marriage.”
After discussing all the details and customer requirements, it takes us around six to eight months to build a houseboat.
Can I drive the Rev House boat in every river, lake or the sea? Which license is required for that?
Since Rev House is a certified recreational craft with CE marking, all that is required is a license to drive a recreational vessel. Unlike stationary houseboats, thanks to its CE marking the Rev House can be easily registered and used as a recreational craft in all EU member states without the need for any complicated approval or licensing procedures.
Which sort of customers are you looking for? Who would be the “ideal” Rev House customer?
We want Rev House to attract people who have a taste for the extraordinary. People whose lifestyle reflects an appreciation for the extravagance and glory of nature and who also care about superior quality. Rev House boats allow people to realize their dream of enjoying luxurious living wherever they are in the world, while still being on the water.
And how much do I have to invest for a rev-house boat?
The entry-level price for a boat with standard features is €359,000. This price doesn’t include the mobility package.
In which regions could I order a Rev House boat?
Rev House boats can be delivered all over the world.
What are your future plans for Rev House?
Our goal is to become the market leader in luxury floating homes.
Thank you for the interview.
Der Beitrag REV HOUSE | Interview with co-founder Lars Voigt erschien zuerst auf SUPERIOR MAGAZINE.