World Record Vision Imagined How Humanity Lives In Underwater Communities
Provided by Ocean Builders
Grant Romundt’s journey began with a chance stay at a floating Airbnb, which turned into a three-and-a-half-year experience living on the water. This "happy accident" ignited his passion for floating living spaces, inspiring him to develop the Seapod and share this unique lifestyle with others.
By proving that sustainable living in unconventional environments is achievable, Ocean Builders is setting a new standard for eco-friendly design. With innovations like water recycling systems and energy-efficient technologies, the SeaPod has potential applications beyond the ocean, tackling sustainability challenges on land as well.
Living underwater fosters a profound respect for marine ecosystems, and the SeaPod serves as a model for how humanity can coexist with the ocean in harmony. The Sea pod serves as more than just a living space; it acts as a habitat for marine life. By introducing structures that attract fish, corals, and other sea life, the Seapod transforms barren under water areas into thriving eco-systems ,enhancing bio diversity.
US Lifestyle dives into the purpose and inspiration of a journey that led Grant Romundt and Rüdiger Koch to the project and receiving The Guinness World Record.
US LIFESTYLE: What is Ocean Builders?
Ocean Builders (Grant Romundt): Ocean Builders is a pioneering company focused on sustainable ocean-based living solutions. Our flagship innovation, the SeaPod, is a futuristic, eco-friendly ocean home designed to minimize its environmental footprint while offering an unparalleled living experience. At Ocean Builders, we aim to revolutionize how humans interact with the ocean, creating opportunities for sustainable living, eco-tourism, and ocean conservation. Our work is rooted in the belief that innovation and sustainability can coexist to create a better future.
US LIFESTYLE: How was this idea formed?
Ocean Builders (Grant Romundt): The idea for Ocean Builders began from a personal experience. I once rented an Airbnb on the water, and I was struck by how peaceful and inspiring it was to live so close to the ocean. It made me wonder why we don’t see more homes designed specifically for this environment. This thought sparked the vision to create sustainable and innovative homes on the water that would allow people to embrace the beauty of the ocean while living responsibly and harmoniously with nature. From there, the idea evolved into what is now Ocean Builders—a company dedicated to redefining ocean living with technology, sustainability, and adventure at its core.
US LIFESTYLE: What are the regional and global lifestyle changes expected with this way of life?
Ocean Builders (Grant Romundt): Regionally, SeaPods will redefine luxury and sustainable living, offering eco-conscious individuals and adventurers a chance to live in harmony with nature. Globally, this innovation could lead to a shift in how we approach housing, pushing boundaries to explore ocean-based living solutions. Communities could benefit from reduced urban crowding, improved environmental practices, and increased awareness of ocean conservation.
Provided by OceanBuilders
US LIFESTYLE: What is the science behind Ocean Builder?
Ocean Builders (Rüdiger Koch): At the heart of our technology is innovative marine engineering. SeaPods are elevated above the waterline using a unique spar design, which reduces wave impact and creates a stable living platform. They are equipped with sustainable systems for energy, water management, and waste processing. Our research focuses on minimizing the impact on marine life while creating a symbiotic relationship between human living spaces and the ocean ecosystem.
US LIFESTYLE: What economic opportunities do you see?
Ocean Builders (Grant Romundt): SeaPods open doors to entirely new industries, including eco-tourism, ocean conservation technologies, and oceanic real estate development. They also create opportunities for local economies by boosting tourism, creating jobs in marine construction, and fostering partnerships in renewable energy and sustainable practices.
Ocean Builders
US LIFESTYLE: What is the sustainability attributed to this way of life?
Ocean Builders (Rüdiger Koch): Sustainability is at the core of our design. SeaPods operate on renewable energy, utilize water recycling systems, and employ cutting-edge waste management technology to ensure no harm to marine environments. Our commitment to eco-conscious materials and practices reflects our belief that ocean-based living must actively contribute to preserving and regenerating marine ecosystems.
US LIFESTYLE: What has experimentation showed beneficial or problematic?
Ocean Builders (Grant Romundt): Experimentation has revealed the importance of integrating advanced engineering with ecological considerations. Beneficial outcomes include enhanced stability, energy efficiency, and the ability to co-exist with marine life. Challenges have included refining waste management systems and ensuring structures withstand harsh ocean conditions, which we continue to address through ongoing research and development.
US LIFESTYLE: Who will benefit on land from sea pods and what are these benefits?
Ocean Builders (Grant Romundt): Coastal communities will benefit immensely from SeaPods. By offering sustainable housing solutions, we reduce urban pressure on land resources. Local economies also gain through tourism, job creation, and partnerships in marine technology. SeaPods serve as a symbol of what’s possible when innovation and sustainability align.
Provided by Ocean Builders
US LIFESTYLE: How does this way of life impact ocean creatures?
Ocean Builders (Rüdiger Koch): Our designs prioritize harmony with marine life. The structures allow natural water flow, and the materials are selected to avoid harming ecosystems. Additionally, SeaPods can serve as artificial reefs, enhancing biodiversity in the area.
US LIFESTYLE: We look at space a lot do you thing we need explore deeper into our own planet? Where else do you see opportunity?
Ocean Builders (Grant Romundt): Absolutely. While space exploration is vital, our oceans remain one of the least explored frontiers, yet they are crucial to the planet’s health. By focusing on sustainable ocean living, we can unlock new opportunities for conservation, renewable energy, and resource management. The future could also involve floating farms and ocean-based research hubs to tackle global challenges.
US LIFESTYLE: Lets close by telling our readers about your Guinness World Record, how was that experience?
Ocean Builders (Grant Romundt): This Guinness World Record achievement of living underwater for 120 days is more than just a personal milestone—it’s a testament to human resilience, ingenuity, and the potential for sustainable innovation. It reflects our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, not just for ourselves but for the planet as a whole.
We are living in a time when the oceans face unprecedented challenges, from climate change to pollution, and yet they hold incredible potential as spaces for exploration, preservation, and sustainable living. At Ocean Builders, we believe the future of human habitation can extend beyond traditional land-based homes, offering opportunities for people to live closer to nature in harmony with the planet.
This journey underwater has taught us valuable lessons about resource management, environmental integration, and the importance of designing with sustainability in mind. It has also reaffirmed the beauty and richness of the oceans as an integral part of human life.
We want your readers to join us in reimagining what’s possible—whether through embracing ocean innovation, participating in sustainability efforts, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the role the ocean plays in our lives. Together, we can create a world where innovation and preservation go hand in hand, making the oceans a vital part of the solution for humanity’s future.
Provided by OceanBuilders
US LIFESTYLE: What have been the most inspiring moments during the journey to breaking the Guinness World Record?
Ocean Builders (Rüdiger Koch): The journey has been filled with inspiring moments, but one that stands out is witnessing the incredible support from our team and the local community. It’s also been deeply inspiring to live underwater and experience firsthand the vast beauty of marine life. This journey has taught me resilience and creativity, and it has shown me how much potential humanity has to innovate when we align our goals with nature.
