This thesis critically investigates the emerging domain of floating architecture, a field that spans ancient palafitic settlements and contemporary technologically advanced innovations. While "high-tech" is often used to describe the latter, this research refers not necessarily to luxury or high cost but to the application of engineered systems and innovative technologies. However, we want to bring light to the fact that most high-tech floating developments are designed for middle- to high-income contexts, rarely addressing the needs of vulnerable or at-risk populations. Through this exploration, we identified a critical gap in current discourse and practice: the absence of affordable, community-centered solutions that occupy a "middle ground" between cutting-edge prototypes and traditional Palafitic responses.