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Consider that if you eliminate building codes, sealed windows, and the need for thermal insulation a "house" is trivial and could be made with anything from cem
by grandalf 15y ago
Consider that if you eliminate building codes, sealed windows, and the need for thermal insulation a "house" is trivial and could be made with anything from cement to adobe to some sort of lighter and stronger version of adobe made with modern materials.
I visited some houses in Costa Rica that were cinder block structures with corrugated roofs and wide bars for windows (to prevent thieves but not geckos) and these were very comfortable. Materials and construction costs couldn't have amounted to much.
- dwiel 15y agoI've been designing a small cheap house which I plan to build spring 2012 (after I get through the year long political process). It has become undeniably clear that building codes in most of the US result in a base cost for a house at at least 20-30k (rural mid-west prices). The laws were designed to keep landlords from renting 'inhumane' conditions, but they are applied even to those building and living in their own homes. In my town, we aren't legally allowed to have multiple homes share a kitchen and bathroom. Kitchens can only be shared by 3 adults. We can't use filtered rain water in our sinks. We can't flush our toilets with shower water (or anything other than potable drinking water). A friend of mine from India says that where he lived it was against code to flush toilets with drinking water.