04-16-2009, 05:21 PM
I work on the opposite end of building theories as Jay. To me it is appalling to gather the material resources and human labor and sweat to build a home and have it have a useful life span of a bit over thirty years. That formula explains why the world is short about 600 million homes. Homeless people shivering in the dark.
The thirty plus year figure comes from the feds. The 600 million figure comes from my years with Habitat for Humanity.
My home is quite the opposite of bamboo or rammed earth. It is made of about 40,000 lbs. of recycled material and concrete and has a projected life span of over 200 years without maintenance (Naval engineering). At the same time it is cool and comfortable, termite and fire proof and well able to withstand hurricane and most earthquakes. I say most because no matter how smart we think we are nature will eventually win.
By building a home with a 200+ year life a person is in effect building the equivalent of six homes by conventional organic methods. So if a wood home which consumes perhaps two acres of forest to build my preferred home prevents 12 acres of forest from being needed. Plus it's very energy efficient. Plus it didn't cost more. Navy engineering gave me the 200+ year figure. They said it might well last longer, they just can't think farther than 200 years out.
By my analysis the most expensive and wasteful building method is wood or other organic materials... especially here in the tropics. And I say that as a master carpenter.
But this is not a challenge. To each his own. I would welcome building codes which provide everyone more choice. I have much more faith in owner-builders than "professionals".
By example- in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, with 35,000 homes destroyed in Homestead, Florida there was one builder with 23 homes on site that survived the hurricane. That was Habitat for Humanity. The homes were build by amateurs. Here we would say they had been built with aloha. Unfortunately they will all, on the average, last less well than 40 years. Geez. Banks are writing mortgages for forty years. That means that just about the time you get it paid off it is likely to be worthless. Smart?
I personally do not care if homes are one story or tow story or round or square. I want them to be well built and capable of serving their purpose (protect you and your family from the elements) well for generations. By protecting you I mean from more than sunburn and a rainy day.
There are a number of other theories out there. To all those who choose to invest their time and money to pursue their dreams I do wish you success.
The thirty plus year figure comes from the feds. The 600 million figure comes from my years with Habitat for Humanity.
My home is quite the opposite of bamboo or rammed earth. It is made of about 40,000 lbs. of recycled material and concrete and has a projected life span of over 200 years without maintenance (Naval engineering). At the same time it is cool and comfortable, termite and fire proof and well able to withstand hurricane and most earthquakes. I say most because no matter how smart we think we are nature will eventually win.
By building a home with a 200+ year life a person is in effect building the equivalent of six homes by conventional organic methods. So if a wood home which consumes perhaps two acres of forest to build my preferred home prevents 12 acres of forest from being needed. Plus it's very energy efficient. Plus it didn't cost more. Navy engineering gave me the 200+ year figure. They said it might well last longer, they just can't think farther than 200 years out.
By my analysis the most expensive and wasteful building method is wood or other organic materials... especially here in the tropics. And I say that as a master carpenter.
But this is not a challenge. To each his own. I would welcome building codes which provide everyone more choice. I have much more faith in owner-builders than "professionals".
By example- in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, with 35,000 homes destroyed in Homestead, Florida there was one builder with 23 homes on site that survived the hurricane. That was Habitat for Humanity. The homes were build by amateurs. Here we would say they had been built with aloha. Unfortunately they will all, on the average, last less well than 40 years. Geez. Banks are writing mortgages for forty years. That means that just about the time you get it paid off it is likely to be worthless. Smart?
I personally do not care if homes are one story or tow story or round or square. I want them to be well built and capable of serving their purpose (protect you and your family from the elements) well for generations. By protecting you I mean from more than sunburn and a rainy day.
There are a number of other theories out there. To all those who choose to invest their time and money to pursue their dreams I do wish you success.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Punaweb moderator