Basically, premade panels or blocks that automatically interlock and are pre-fitted with the required hookups and utilities etc.
This is basically how new houses are built. Assembled on site from pre fab components.
Comment on 3D-Printed Houses Are Already Failing
reluctant_squidd@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
I always thought as a kid that modular construction would eventually be the norm. Kinda like building in video games, or Legos. Basically, premade panels or blocks that automatically interlock and are pre-fitted with the required hookups and utilities etc.
I realized later that as cool as this might be, it would probably be very inefficient cost-wise, where some panels would contain the infrastructure and components for unneeded things.
Interesting thought though.
That’s kinda what I thought about 3d printed walls when I first heard about them. Good idea in theory, but maybe not in practice.
Maybe a combo of the two?
SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
reluctant_squidd@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
What I was thinking about back then was different. I understand what you mean with modular homes, but the idea was more like something you would see in a space show. Hallways with panels like 2x2’ that lock together to form the surface, structure, insulation, electrical and plumbing, with e-ink like material on the people facing side to change the look. Similar idea to the modular home concept, just on a much smaller scale, with extra bells and whistles.
I’m not really sure how else to describe it honestly.
terranoid@lemmy.cafe 2 weeks ago
I think you’re not wrong about modular being the ideal result but at the end of the day that’s… Kind of what we already have if you take a look at construction materials.
Not every part of a house needs utilities everywhere. Water, electrical, gas, HVAC, they all need to be specific about where they are and how they go there.
The parts that can be modular already kind of are. You buy kits for everything, modular toilet, modular flush valve in the toilet, modular sink, modular door, standard modular size, modular knob on the modular door because the client wants X door and Y knob, and Z marble top to their C color sink, modular top that fits modular sinks that fits modular handles.
Modular shower with modular hookups to modular water. Everything to modular common specs.
Practically everything is already kinda plug in and screw together.
The thing is… None of this solves cheap housing we need. At best it makes it way easier to replace common parts that break, but even the cheapest replacements are expensive costs to the home owner. It’s money you didn’t intend on spending, surprise expenses.
And if it’s not, it’s luxury remodels. Which aren’t really at all related to solving the housing crisis. That makes a cheap home more expensive. And you have to understand while it makes a ton of sense to upgrade your property and investment… Almost any sensible homeowner is looking to do that and take a cheap home off the market and replace it with a less cheap or even expensive one.
SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
There is no way to make cheap housing with private companies. Everyone in that industry is addicted to free money. Start by burying all realtors in a large pit.
SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
you tube is full of people shilling $15,000 Chinese prefabs. The cost of housing is land, foundation, utility, sewage, etc. Wood framed houses are not expensive to build.
reluctant_squidd@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
Bottom line imo. As long as capitalist interests slow the adoption of standardization in the grand scheme of all production, construction, agriculture, infrastructure, etc. then we aren’t going to get there regardless.
In vehicles alone there are so so many proprietary things that each company produces specifically not to fit any other model of their own make, let alone fitting another company model. Yet, they all need almost exactly the same parts. It’s a bit insane when to look at it all from a few steps back.
But it’s not all the fault of the producers of any of these things. Demand drives supply. Culture in general needs to get to a place where a persons self worth is not dictated by what they own, but instead on how well they actually enjoy life. Richness in the form of experience.
Material possession is driving almost all the problems of the world right now. While that remains true, very little change can really happen unfortunately.
The housing problem specifically can be fixed, but no politician is willing to bite the corporate hand that feeds them. Ban home ownership for non-human entities and cap how many an individual can own in a district.
Rich people still get their houses in different places, but these hedgefund llcs and real estate firms buying up all the real estate have to liquidate. Done.
Unless the people demand it though, it isn’t going to happen.