Reunification brought with it the end of mining in the Lower Lausitz region, as well as a new lake landscape that fundamentally changed the face of the region. The vision of IBA see for floating architecture now focused the engineering abilities, which had previously been concentrated on mining, on artificial lakes. 

Lignite was mined from 1955 to 1972 at the current site of Geierswalder Lake. Roughly 130 housing developments gave way to the mines, with 25,000 residents of the Lausitz region losing their homes. The small town of Geierswalde was lucky, the excavators stopped right at its border. The pit it left behind was finally flooded to form the artificial Geierswalder Lake in 2004.

Since IBA see started its work to change the landscape and structure of the Lausitz region in 2000, it has promoted its vision of floating architecture and did pioneering work in this field. The first specific designs were presented in 2003. IBA see presented two models for public debate, one timber structure and one metal structure, and just one year later, the first investors expressed their interest. However, the start of construction for the steel design was delayed again and again – despite great interest and design awards: A floating homes presented the authorities, investors, building companies and IBA see with hitherto unforeseen challenges. 

A feasible solution was finally found in the region: A metalworker from Finsterwalde initially built two prototypes on land, rented them to holidaymakers and then decided to invest in floating homes on Geierswalder Lake. He opened the first floating house, called “ar-che” in 2009. Four more followed. Together with other beach houses, they form the Scado holiday harbour and holiday village as a small floating development known as Lausitz Resort.