Ayudame diseñar una casa sostenible, economica, y linda para vivir una vida sana.
Ayudame diseñar una casa sostenible, economica, y linda para vivir una vida sana.
Pete’s House Idea
I don’t know what I don’t know
The intention of this document is to share the ideas, motivations, questions, inspirations, etc I have to build a home in Mexico. I have never built a house, so I have a lot to learn about the process, but I’m happy to listen to experts and change my dreams to something that makes more sense in the eyes of those experts. But I don’t know what I don’t know, so I want to show everything I have in mind so those experts can correct me or fill in where necessary.
The Objective
I want to build a simple and affordable house but well planned and designed. I also want this house to accommodate ecological best practices where posible. I don’t yet have a lot, so it’s likely the design would need to adjust to the needs of the eventual lot. This means I don’t actually want to start a real plan, but have an idea of what’s possible and how much it could approximately cost. With an idea of what’s possible, I can better decide what land I’ll need and where.
More specifically, I would like to build something versatile, something that could possibly grow progressively over time.
The LA Times has a good example of what I’d like to build and includes important first principles.
Details
Necessary
- Built space: 70-100m₂ (700-1000 sqft)
- Materials: Adobe, brick, wood, concrete, stone and any combination of them.
Nice to haves
- Rain capture system
- Ecological septic system
Budget (only construction, not including land): $1,000,000 MXN ($50,000 USD) or less.
Questions
Is this possible?
If you work with a variety of materials (such as adobe, brick, etc), what difference would each material make in the cost of the project?
Between all of the possibilities and decisions to make for a project like this, where is the greatest risk? Or perhaps what details deserve greater attention when it comes to issues of cost and sustainability?
The Inspiration
I think it's important I include examples of homes I like and why. With these, you can have a better general idea of what I want, but I'll also try to be specific about what details I like.
What I like:
- Rectangular structure
- High ceilings with slanted roof
- Integrated garage/parking
Concerns:
- Too much concrete which isn't ecological.
What I like:
- Simple design
Concerns:
- It might be a little too simple ;)
- I'm concerned the primary material (cement) isn't very ecological.
What I like:
- Simple structure
- Lots of windows and natural light
- Single level
- Well integrated with the exterior
Concerns:
- Seems like this project only works well with a lot of land.
- I don't like that the structures are completely separated.
What I like:
- Simple structure
- Lots of windows and natural light
- Flexible. The second floor can be extended to make extra bedrooms.
- Easy to imagine converting into a garage or studio or extending the building.
- Affordable and simple materials.
- High ceilings where there isn't a second floor.
Concerns:
- Although the curved ceiling looks great, seems like it could be difficult to install solar panel sistems or rain capture.
- I imagine it would be cold during the winter and may need a fireplace.
What I like:
- Simple structure
- Good combination of simple and affordable materials (stone, wood, adobe)
Concerns:
- Not a lot of windows or natural light
What I like:
- Simple and affordable materials, and a good combination of different materials (stone, wood, brick, concrete)
- Lots of light
- That the interior and exterior spaces connect smoothly
Concerns:
- The structure is simple, but it doesn't seem like it could be extended or converted easily.
- Like others, it seems like it could be pretty cold inside.