The construction industry may be hurt by the economy, but this has not stopped innovative ideas from appearing for alternative housing. Although the green and eco-friendly movements have played a large role in the industry, they are not the only incentives for consumers searching for unique housing solutions.
Alternative Kit Homes
Alternative kit homes offer a way to bypass the usual construction issues with prefabricated models that simply have to be put together by a competent homeowner or contractor. Although they have been available since the early 1900s, the modern versions give consumers more options to customize the houses. Alternate dwellings offers eco-friendly versions that can be customized to fit specific needs and promises to only use local materials. The National Association of Home Builders gives another option of using log homes that have been changed to fit modern needs.
Shipping containers are emerging as another popular alternative housing option. With an estimated 25 million containers in the U.S. and an undocumented amount across the globe, they are an easy to find resource. Many have started to turn them into homes and office buildings. Their durability combined with the possibility of stacking makes them an eco-friendly choice for consumers searching for an innovative housing design. Companies have started to take advantage of this concept, and Ecopods allows users to customize the models. The Trinity Buoy Wharf, built in 2000, has examples of lasting structures made from shipping containers that are used for work and apartments.
Straw Bale Homes
Straw bale homes are also growing in popularity and offer another alternative to traditional construction. These homes are still built to meet high safety standards, but they also offer advantages ranging from sound proofing to improved insulation since the bales are tightly packed. Straw bale houses are considered environmentally friendly because of the materials and the reduction of the amount of wood needed in the construction process.
The concept of recycling glass bottles into construction projects is not new, but it has a growing following. Glass bottles offer an easy material that can be turned into any structure. Tito Ingenieri has built his entire home in Quilmes, Argentina, from glass beer bottles that he collected from the local town with the help of others. Using 6 million bottles and scrap metal, Tito Ingenieri has spent the last 19 years on the construction project that continues to expand.
Ingenieri’s home is just one example of the use of glass bottles in alternative construction. They have been used in museums, art centers, office buildings and chapels. Friedensreich Hundertwasser has used the recycled materials at the Market Hall in Switzerland to create a work of art out of each wall. In Thailand, Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew has become labeled as the “Temple of a Million Bottles” with 1.5 million green and brown beer bottles incorporated into a beautiful structure. Most projects simply combine concrete with the glass bottles, but other materials have also been used.
Glass is not the only recycled material, and plastic bottles are being used in construction. In Argentina, a family has used more than a thousand plastic bottles to create a home to show that recycling has value. A similar concept has been used in a schoolhouse in Guatemala. In this case, locals helped collect 6,000 plastic bottles along with other plastic waste to make the walls of the schoolhouse.
Pallet Homes
Pallet homes offer another use for a free material that is often thrown away. I-Beam Design has created several models that can be built quickly to provide safe housing after a disaster. However, the use of pallet homes extends beyond this. They have been embraced by many people who are searching for a more eco-friendly construction option. Recycled shipping pallets can sometimes be obtained for free.
Homes made from earth bags and earth berm have reemerged in the news recently thanks to the popularity of the Hobbit house. Simon Dale’s Hobbit house, located in a hill in Wales, includes natural and recycled materials. It provides great insulation while blending effortlessly into the surroundings. Earth bags offer another option for homeowners with a simple concept that only relies on bags filled with dirt to construct the walls and roof. It is a cheap alternative that still gives insulation and customization.
Combining Several Alternatives
Some of the best housing ideas combine several alternative construction methods to achieve a unique look. Many homeowners use a variety of recycled materials to make an eco-friendly house. For example, the plastic schoolhouse in Guatemala does not rely solely on bottles, and other items are included. Since some items can be found for free while others may require a small investment, it is important to keep an open mind about alternatives.
