The amount of affordable housing is declining and construction prices are up. What’s the solution? Some of these innovations in construction may be the answer to the current housing crisis
As populations in cities grow, many people struggle to find housing. Not only is housing diminishing near jobs and schools, but housing prices everywhere are skyrocketing. Construction costs will also be rising due to tariffs, material costs, and cost of labor increases.
As issues arise, creativity will always be the solution. Building smart and efficiently will not only lower the cost of building the homes, but also buying them. These home designs can be the answer to the current housing crisis and even make your home stand out from the crowd!
3D PRINTED HOUSES
If materials and man hours are the major costs in construction, how do we cut both? A small number of buildings and homes have now been built using 3D printers. These machines pours out concrete or polymer liquids layer upon layer. Think of it like building a house, one paper thin layer at a time.
The first 3D printed home to actually house a family was recently completed in Nantes France. The printing took just over two days to complete. In four more months, they added the roof, doors, windows, and electronics. The construction of the house ended up costing 20% less than traditional construction methods.
PREFABRICATED HOUSING
Prefabricated homes have multiple forms. These homes and buildings are built off-site then shipped to the final location. Sometimes walls, ceilings, or other sections will built in a factory and then shipped to the construction site where they will be pieced together like Legos. Other prefab homes have the whole house, or large portions, completed and then shipped to the site to be lowered into the foundation.
While big cities like San Francisco and New York are extending prefabricated housing methods to apartments, the United States still falls behind other countries. One reason cities have been wary of houses built in factories is the possibility of lost jobs in the construction.
THE URBAN RIGGER AND FLOATING HOMES
A new student apartment complex has been built on the water in Denmark. The complex of 12 apartment is made of nine used shipping containers. The containers have been cleaned up and refurbished to make beautiful apartments. The building uses Eco-friendly technologies including solar panels and hydro source heating.
Utilizing water space on industrial harbors and canals will offer more affordable housing in some cities. While some floating homes exist, they have not been affordable or utilized in the city. Some issues that are difficult to deal with are waste management and water.
BUILDING SKYWARD
Some cities may not have water space to expand upon. Air space, however, may be a more reasonable option. In many cities, it may not be practical to tear down its smaller and older buildings to build taller ones. One solution to the lack of plots is building up on top of the roofs of existing buildings.
London is currently in a race for air space. In London city, 41,000 new homes could be built on the 23,000 buildings suitable for rooftop development. Some businesses are combining other innovations, such as prefabrication, to build assemble rooftop homes in as little as one day!
TINY HOMES AND SHEDS
A tiny house on average costs $23,000 to build. A standard-sized house is approximately $272,000 to build, and that price can almost double from interest on a 30-year loan. Tiny homes can be beautiful and fit every amenity needed. They are, however, not for everyone. People who would most likely benefit from these are students, couples with one or no children, and the elderly.
Another form of small housing is the SHED. These homes are more like one room prefabricated apartments. These can be set up, and taken down, anywhere in only one day! The SHED was designed to take advantage of unused spaces in warehouses and other buildings.
What is your favorite idea? Would you ever build a house with any of these designs. At Continental Bank, we love helping people build their dreams. Contact us to find out how we can help!