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Ya. I'm very curious about this kind of stuff. And now especially "activhaus" ideas. Being a software guy, probably from envy. Ages ago, I started remodeling

Ya. I'm very curious about this kind of stuff. And now especially "activhaus" ideas. Being a software guy, probably from envy. Ages ago, I started remodeling while my Belgian coworker (working from Belgian) started his new home construction. My house in the USA Pacific Northwest is timber framed with tar shingle roof. Coworker's house, IIRC, was block walls and ceramic roof. My house so temporary, their house built for the centuries. A real home. In North America, I now find the homesteading and packed earth style homes most compelling. Basically, latest tech Arcosanti. (But with better finances.)

Baeocystin 5y ago
Timber frame and a lightweight roof is superior to block walls and ceramic in any scenario that includes seismic activity, which includes the entire American west coast.
_Adam 5y ago
If wood stays dry it will last for centuries. Of course given the climate here you'll need to maintain and eventually re-shingle your roof (In the same region and my 34 year old tar shingle roof sprung a leak a few days ago) but if you do that your house will likely last just as long as your coworker's.
- funcDropShadow 5y ago
  Ceramic shingles are replaced after 40-50 years as well. At least in Germany.
polymerist 5y ago
Rammed earth you definitely need to be careful of the humidity and mitigation internal humidity is going to be important. Good technique though for arid/desert climates. Timber Frame + external insulation with anairtight building envelope is a really good construction method that will be energy efficient and last a long time.
- robbedpeter 5y ago
  With the right clay mixture, rammed earth can be made more or less waterproof like brick, or you can make actual fired rammed earth bricks. Adding graphene flakes can significantly improve the structural qualities, and added carbon black can increase thermal conductivity (heated flooring) or provide em shielding. There are lots of materials to play with and mix up for structures.
hwc 5y ago
Arcosanti is a lot of concrete, as I recall.
- specialist 5y ago
  Ya, no longer ideal. I'm keen to see what replacements people come up with. Like hempcrete, packed earth.

Baeocystin 5y ago

Timber frame and a lightweight roof is superior to block walls and ceramic in any scenario that includes seismic activity, which includes the entire American west coast.

_Adam 5y ago

If wood stays dry it will last for centuries. Of course given the climate here you'll need to maintain and eventually re-shingle your roof (In the same region and my 34 year old tar shingle roof sprung a leak a few days ago) but if you do that your house will likely last just as long as your coworker's.

funcDropShadow 5y ago
Ceramic shingles are replaced after 40-50 years as well. At least in Germany.

polymerist 5y ago

Rammed earth you definitely need to be careful of the humidity and mitigation internal humidity is going to be important. Good technique though for arid/desert climates. Timber Frame + external insulation with anairtight building envelope is a really good construction method that will be energy efficient and last a long time.

robbedpeter 5y ago
With the right clay mixture, rammed earth can be made more or less waterproof like brick, or you can make actual fired rammed earth bricks. Adding graphene flakes can significantly improve the structural qualities, and added carbon black can increase thermal conductivity (heated flooring) or provide em shielding. There are lots of materials to play with and mix up for structures.

hwc 5y ago

Arcosanti is a lot of concrete, as I recall.

specialist 5y ago
Ya, no longer ideal. I'm keen to see what replacements people come up with. Like hempcrete, packed earth.