| Author | Message | ||
     mthood Junior Member Username: r_f Post Number: 69 Registered: 9-2010 |
I've been thinking a lot about housing alternatives. I know many own homes (I do, but I rent it out) and if things get difficult in a hurry, much of this will be worthless, however I have a list of affordable housing options that others might find useful. Keep in mind that draconian building codes exist in many parts of the US, but in some parts, not so much. Not sure how it would translate to other countries. Most importantly, these are structures that can be built by you, or friends and family, and that are cheap, energy efficient, and in some cases portable. First one I found was Microhousing. Obviously, if you have a large family, then things get cozy, but for many it would be an option. http://tinyhouseblog.com/ http://microhouse.wordpress.com/ Of course, you could use a camp trailer, but for the most part, unless you get a expensive one, they are pretty cheaply made and don't hold up to weather too well. the there is: Shipping Containers Build your house out of old shipping containers: http://weburbanist.com/2008/05/26/cargo-container-homes-and-offices/ http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_green_news/8/twelve-amazing-shipping-container -houses.html and my personal fave: Yurts http://www.yurts.com/ http://rainieryurts.com/ Of course, without potable water, housing is moot, the trick is it find both. | ||
| susi Senior Member Username: etsi Post Number: 3341 Registered: 11-2009 |
http://reesetipis.com/ sure you can trust the government....just ask an indian. | ||
| Victoria Senior Member Username: victoria Post Number: 797 Registered: 8-2006 |
Tipis -- unfortunately, no indoor plumbing, toilets, showers, hot water -- ohhh! Too many people enjoy the comfort of opinion without struggling through the labor of thought. JFK | ||
| mthood Member Username: r_f Post Number: 82 Registered: 9-2010 |
I slept in a tipis once, though it had cement floors, so I guess that doesn't count. Yurts are a pretty good compromise. You can put all the amenities of a modern house in a yurt. In the end, I think exploring alternative building methods would be a good skill set to have. | ||
| allen Senior Member Username: eastsider01 Post Number: 2314 Registered: 4-2005 |
Try this place out. Yurts galore! http://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=CoFDu4CP5TLvmCMu9gwel7JnPCMrvyOIBrIi_wgrK-I7l QRABILDv9wYoBVDvgMeP_v____8BYMmGgIDMI6AB3s2O8QPIAQGqBBZP0F6qBCdYO_KeITwqR6DEn3Qm I8zv&num=1&sig=AGiWqtzAaSo0ay3ZYPim2XM9P1l6r7H4OQ&adurl=http://coloradoyurt.prox y.calltoday.ws/yurts/index.php%3Futm_source%3DCallToday-Google%26utm_medium%3DCP C-Search%26utm_campaign%3DYurts | ||
| Victoria Senior Member Username: victoria Post Number: 798 Registered: 8-2006 |
I've looked at the new version of a "straw" house. You use straw bales between the exterior and interior house walls, an 18-20 inch insulating factor from heat and cold, and the interior design is standard. The only down side might be rodents wanting to make homes in the straw, but I'm sure someone has addressed that issue. But straw is natural and easily adaptable to any design. http://www.balewatch.com/ Too many people enjoy the comfort of opinion without struggling through the labor of thought. JFK | ||
| susi Senior Member Username: etsi Post Number: 3345 Registered: 11-2009 |
victoria my friend built a straw bale. mice aren't a problem. the bales are covered with stucco.  sure you can trust the government....just ask an indian. | ||
| Victoria Senior Member Username: victoria Post Number: 800 Registered: 8-2006 |
How does your friend like the straw house? (makes me think of the 3 little piggies and the big bad wolf story  ) The stucco exterior is the norm, but in a wet climate, stucco doesn't fare that well.  But maybe there have been advances in wet-weather stucco that I don't know about! I still like the idea of it, but am in the damp and snowy Pacific NW costal area. I suppose the thing sits on a concrete slab so critter access would be impossible. Too many people enjoy the comfort of opinion without struggling through the labor of thought. JFK | ||
| susi Senior Member Username: etsi Post Number: 3348 Registered: 11-2009 |
she loved it. it's a great insulator. never had a problem with wet weather. we have monsoons here and it never affected the house. sure you can trust the government....just ask an indian. | ||
| Alan C Thomas New member Username: 47patriot Post Number: 4 Registered: 3-2010 |
Termites fly to form a new colony, so a concrete slab is not a perfect barrier to their infestation. | ||
| mthood Member Username: r_f Post Number: 95 Registered: 9-2010 |
Straw bale is a great way to build a house. I think it's important to realize that not all building methods are good everywhere. Using local materials is key. | ||
| Jimmy Senior Member Username: chippyo Post Number: 1499 Registered: 8-2002 |
Straw bale rocks! Rg of 35 insulating factor...but if you wnat a fancier one then you'll need a green builder...they are hard to find. "Don't take life to seriously;no one gets out alive." | ||
| mthood Intermediate Member Username: r_f Post Number: 196 Registered: 9-2010 |
You can use this cheery Russian shelter in a pinch: http://www.dezeen.com/2010/12/17/vostok-cabin-by-atelier-van-lieshout/ Looks happy. | ||
| mthood Advanced Member Username: r_f Post Number: 205 Registered: 9-2010 |
Or you could build a tree house: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chucksutherland/4795091807/sizes/l/ | ||
| allen Senior Member Username: eastsider01 Post Number: 2332 Registered: 4-2005 |
The Colorado Yurt Company has many different size yurts and teepees. | ||
| ManyMansions Senior Member Username: manymansions Post Number: 5139 Registered: 3-2008 |
http://prefabcosm.com/home/ ... Fear is the Thief of Dreams! ... | ||
| Smith New member Username: fractld Post Number: 17 Registered: 12-2010 |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLbd4x7mbQY | ||
| mthood Advanced Member Username: r_f Post Number: 243 Registered: 9-2010 |
Great video Smith! thanks. He has some great ideas and exemplifies what I was talking about. Sustainable, affordable housing. It sure irritates the banks, builders and current state of house construction. The shots of NM are awesome. Love it down there. (Message edited by r_f on December 29, 2010) | ||
| Smith New member Username: fractld Post Number: 42 Registered: 12-2010 |
You are welcome Mthood, but maybe The Party is Over(boo) http://www.truth-out.org/peak-oil-and-a-changing-climate-an-introduction-video66 587  | ||
| mthood Advanced Member Username: r_f Post Number: 272 Registered: 9-2010 |
Well, I don't think I ever got invited to the party to begin with.  Not sure how I feel about "peak oil". I've read conflicting stories. I think if we have reached that point, affordable, easy to build housing is even more important. Use what you have. | ||
| mthood Advanced Member Username: r_f Post Number: 311 Registered: 9-2010 |
http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/article/742996 At home in the woods and in the round She lives her life deep in the woods, in the round and off the grid. On the fringes of Canada’s most densely populated and developed region, within earshot of the earthmoving machines that push residential development to the edges of fast-growing Guelph, Arlene Slocombe goes about her days in an environment of exquisite peace. Looks interesting | ||
| mthood Advanced Member Username: r_f Post Number: 330 Registered: 9-2010 |
http://www.npr.org/2011/01/11/132735006/tired-of-waiting-haitians-build-their-ow n-homes Housing remains one of the biggest challenges facing Haiti as it tries to recover from the 7.0 earthquake that destroyed much of the capital last year. As the one-year anniversary approaches, more than 1 million people remain in tents and makeshift huts in encampments around Port-au-Prince. But recently, thousands of people who've grown tired of the camps have started building houses in Cabaret, fields just north of the capital. Build with what you have. | ||
| Smith Junior Member Username: fractld Post Number: 53 Registered: 12-2010 |
More from the author, The Party is Over http://www.truth-out.org/the-globes-limitations-how-peak-oil-threatens-economic- growth-video66786 Peak Oil= The end of cheap,accessible oil. | ||
| Smith Member Username: fractld Post Number: 98 Registered: 12-2010 |
Looks like the video on my post #17 went private on utube. Here's another one about living off the grid by the same Garbage Warrior. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYGhAtOFHh8 He is top shelf in my opinion | ||
| anna Senior Member Username: anna Post Number: 3336 Registered: 9-2002 |
Lots of great pics here of shipping container homes... http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&source=imghp&biw=1276&bih=823&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi= g7&oq=&q=Shipping%20Container%20House&tbs=isch:1 (Message edited by anna on March 03, 2011) http://www.cartville.com/app/?af=1287624 Energy-Creations.com | ||
| anna Senior Member Username: anna Post Number: 3337 Registered: 9-2002 |
And earthbag homes- http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&source=imghp&biw=1276&bih=823&q=earthbag+home s&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi=g3&aql=&oq= http://www.cartville.com/app/?af=1287624 Energy-Creations.com | ||
| anna Senior Member Username: anna Post Number: 3338 Registered: 9-2002 |
http://www.hybridseattle.com/ http://www.cartville.com/app/?af=1287624 Energy-Creations.com | ||
| anna Senior Member Username: anna Post Number: 3339 Registered: 9-2002 |
http://tinyhouseblog.com/tiny-house-concept/steves-shipping-container-cabin/ http://www.cartville.com/app/?af=1287624 Energy-Creations.com | ||
| Mama Shine Senior Member Username: mama_shine Post Number: 15086 Registered: 9-2006 |
Wasn't sure where to post this. I love this....unfortunately no hills in the New Orleans area. I do have roots in Wales, always wanted to visit. http://www.simondale.net/house/index.htm I must create a system, or be enslaved by another man's. ~William Blake | ||
| Stephen Tenacé Senior Member Username: manymansions2 Post Number: 2034 Registered: 2-2011 |
http://www.off-grid.net/ "Fear is the Thief of Dreams" - unknown author "If you have a golf ball sized consciousness, you experience a golf ball size reality." - David Lynch | ||
| Stephen Tenacé Senior Member Username: manymansions2 Post Number: 2320 Registered: 2-2011 |
https://www.facebook.com/homesteading "Fear is the Thief of Dreams" - unknown author "If you have a golf ball sized consciousness, you experience a golf ball size reality." - David Lynch | ||
| Mr. Mthood New member Username: mthood Post Number: 4 Registered: 4-2012 |
Tiny Homes It comes highly recommended. I'm picking it up soon. | ||
| Sharon2 Senior Member Username: sharon2468 Post Number: 4163 Registered: 8-2004 |
I've seen some tiny homes and they are amazingly practical. When did we become a society of excesses? We really don't need 2000 square feet for people who only take up a few square feet at a time. Thanks Mthood. I'd like to get that book. Our life is determined by the choices we make! | ||
| Mr. Mthood New member Username: mthood Post Number: 11 Registered: 4-2012 |
You're welcome. Unfortunately, for my family, I'd need about 4 of those little houses....but someday!  | ||
| Many Ascensions Advanced Member Username: ascension1 Post Number: 307 Registered: 11-2012 |
Vicki Arroyo: Let's prepare for our new climate http://www.ted.com/talks/vicki_arroyo_let_s_prepare_for_our_new_climate.html No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it. - Albert Einstein - | ||
| Mr. Mansions Senior Member Username: ascension1 Post Number: 1071 Registered: 11-2012 |
This caught my attention... From Containers to Condominiums http://awarenessmag.com/march-april-2013/march-april-2013-e-mag.pdf http://www.awarenessmag.com/ The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress. -Joseph Joubert- |
