Happier Abroad Forum Community

https://archive.org/details/CobBuildersHandbook

Forget "traditional" houses, you can make your own, for under $1,000 dollars!

This is so cool! Cobb houses are amazing...totally customizable and some of the most energy efficient structures, and seismically durable. They say humans actually carry a genetic memory imprint on how to build them.

zacb wrote:https://archive.org/details/CobBuildersHandbook

Forget "traditional" houses, you can make your own, for under $1,000 dollars!

This handbook, plus google's "sketchup" app...

What about electricity or running water?

Tsar wrote:What about electricity or running water?

Solar panels and a connection to a well.

Very cool. I'd imagine it'd turn into al kinds of buildng code problems, though. Like not having wiring or plumbing or something (even when people elect to have things that way, they do start a lot of shit over that in America). Also, sometimes they act like it's a building code thing when it's some kind of upholding of interests.

.

Ghost wrote:I find the idea appealing, but I'm sure the daddygov would step in and tell you to tear it down if you built one. Maybe in a select few areas it could work, or a place zoned specifically for them.

Yeah, for new construction, you'd have to get all manner of design approvals during the planning stage [the thatch roof might have to be made out of non-flammable fake thatch ] and might have to get some architectural firm on board. Once those hurdles are cleared though ....
In the USSA, there are plenty of counties that are used to off grid types, saves them the expense of running & maintaining utility lines.
That costs too much, anymore.