Improving ‘Low Cost’ to ‘New Age'

Living in a low cost home provided by government is a everyday reality and is in demand like never before. Does that mean they should all be box shaped and consist out of block because it said ‘LOW COST?’ … My theory = The better quality homes we can provide for the need (keeping in mind we cut costs but it lasts) at a suitable rating the more we can provide and have happier community living in ‘HAPPIER HOMES’.

Since Energy Efficiency has made is way to all building being constructed is surely made its way to low cost houses too. Provided that they have efficient hot water supply, isolated roofs and walls, lighting etc. it is still a challenge orientating a box shaped building north.

Looking into alternatives a decision was made to design a house for each direction, meaning if the site face north so should the living areas. Having to do this so many things becomes a challenge…

• Front door faces to the street
• The shortest drainage connection
• Wind blowing from the wrong direction
• Shaded areas making certain parts of the house unlivable

These are everyday challenges we don’t realize. Put yourself in their shoes and what would you do?

A few websites for ‘improving low costs’ gave me the following, and with considering it there is a positive and negative to each of these so I do not say this is a PERFECT design; what I am saying is for you to consider this and re-think what you would have wanted being in this situation.

1. The Shack Chic

http://www.cherryflava.com/cherryflava/2008/06/shack-chic-the-future-of-low-cost-housing.html

This structure is called the ‘Abōd’. It is a lightweight, durable structure that can easily be shipped in a box and quickly be assembled on site.

Positives:

1. Quick to assemble
2. Easy to move (Each owner can move their own house)
3. Security tool to assemble and dismantle you own home
4. Aesthetically pleasing to the eye

Negatives: 

1. Very high building cost (R12 000 per m²)
2. Easy to move - Each owner can move their own house, maybe not such a good idea as they will pick up and leave at any given time
3. No additions to be done to the structure if it’s not the same structure.

2. The Pod

http://www.thecoolhunter.net/design/Classroom-Of-The-Future/

http://www.cherryflava.com/cherryflava/2008/06/shack-chic-the-future-of-low-cost-housing.html

This structure called the “Pod” pop-up temporary structure. It is used as mobile classrooms and is placed on site and has a set of hydraulics that expands to create open rooms / units to live in.  

Positives:

1. Aesthetically looks good
2. Gives the unit an ‘Urban design’ and style
3. It is a modern design

Negatives:

1. Definitely costly
2. Not too easy to assemble on site as mechanical equipment is required for the hydraulics to expand the units when being installed.
3. Don’t think any additions would be possible if not the same style / material
4. Security of such ‘high tech’ buildings – always a risk of theft / vandalism

 3. Alligator House

http://www.homeexteriorinterior.com/alligator-house-low-cost-house-design-for-katrina-refugees/

The structure gets its name from the shape that looks like an open-mouth crocodile. These are structures used for the refugees from post-Katrina. It is a structure that is more developed in length than width. They made use of insulated panels, translucent white plastic and interior is coated with wood and ceramic tiles.

Positives:

1. Aesthetically it is good
2. Used cost effective materials that gives a all in one good look to the building
3. Extension is possible

Negatives:

1. Only extends in length ways
2. Not easy to assemble and can’t be done by the owner himself
3. Temporary housing  

My conclusion :  There is more to what the eye can see. Low cost houses can be something from a vision. It is our duty to allow the design to speak for themselves and by looking at the above we can do more than just an ordinary house. "Think out of the box"...