Alternative housing solutions – new, interesting ways of living
Housing issues are among the biggest problems which people encounter in their lives. Traditionally built houses might often prove to be too expensive for some to afford, while others want to experience alternative ways of living. It is not surprising, therefore, that a whole array of alternative housing solutions is available. Some of these solutions use surprisingly repurposed buildings (e.g. a silo house), other use unconventional building materials (e.g. a pallet house) and some of them are just fun (e.g. a Hobbit hole). Here are three examples of modern housing solutions that offer their own answer to this question without compromising a high quality of living.
Straw bale house – a “new” environmentally friendly building material
Straw was used as a construction material as far as in prehistoric times, however, it has been recently rediscovered as a reliable building material in forms of compact bales. Straw (usually wheat or rice straw) is usually a byproduct of agriculture and available in abundance. When pressed into bales, it becomes a valuable building material that is cheap and environmentally friendly. A straw house has very good insulation properties, performs well during earthquakes, and since straw is tightly packed it does not present a fire risk. However, straw walls need to be sealed and protected from high moisture which could induce mold. Despite its downsides, a straw house proves to be a very comfortable and friendly place to live.
Modular houses – a modern way of constructing
Modular building is an increasingly popular way of constructing affordable and environmentally friendly homes. Prefabricated modular units are made of modern materials that have very good insulation and fire-proof characteristics, and which can be recycled at the end of their lifespan. Modular houses are made of prefabricated modular building units which can be assembled in a variety of combinations that cater to every need and desire of the user. Because of their modular structure, which is usually prefabricated, they can be easily and relatively quickly erected which drastically decreases construction time and costs. Modular houses offer all the comforts of a traditionally built house, yet they have a very modern and even chic look.
Tiny house movement – a new philosophy of living
The tiny house movement was born as a protest against consumerism and ever growing housing costs in the United States, where it is not uncommon that people spent almost half of their salaries on mortgages and other expenses connected with their housing solution. As a rebellion against this, some people decided to downsize considerably and move into tiny houses which are a size of a slightly bigger garden shed. Many constructed their own houses, often with the option of relocation. Living in a tiny house is similar to living on a boat: because of limited available space only absolutely necessary objects are allowed, which impacts many areas of life, in particular shopping habits of the tiny house dweller. This kind of living might not be suited for everyone; however, a tiny house might be a good solution for a second home or a fun holiday house.
