Thumb through popular architecture sources and you’ll readily spot a growing trend toward curved and round designs. It’s a revolt against the box. Oh sure, the status quo suburban box is alive and well, and will likely endure as long as the existing building codes, insurance and financial institutions remain in place. But there’s a definite backlash against the packaged homogeneity thrust upon us by marketers, and no doubt fueled by the ongoing economic crisis that’s forcing people to explore more affordable options. In addition, more and more people are concerned about the environment and health aspects. People are eager to use recycled items, buy local and use materials that don’t offgas toxic chemicals. I say this trend is long overdue.
Try this fun little experiment. Go to Google Images and search for “hobbit houses”. Simone Dale’s and Tony Wrench’s houses will pop up in the search results. Click on a few of these images until you find some of their photos on blogs. Almost without fail people leave comments like “Absolutely love it. Wish I could live in a house like this”. Now keep in mind that these houses and other similar ones are probably on hundreds of blogs and then you start to realize the full impact. It really gets you thinking. This is what many people want – low cost, simple to build, organic – but the current system severely limits the options. Marketers are fighting basic human instinct. After all, humans built their own homes throughout most of history, and of course, they built them to suit their individual needs. Only recently have mega corporations rolled out their version of how we should live, and we can see how swimmingly that has gone. Underwater, bankrupt, foreclosed… It’s way, way, way past time to turn the sinking ship around.
Image source: A Low Impact Woodland Home
Note: I believe a home like this can be built faster and more durable with earthbags.
It’s not just the house the bloggers want, it’s the life. The whole package. The land, the view, the space, the freedom to build creatively, mortgage free, and safely engineered for zone. If these “whole packages” sprung up in every town, in every county, we’d be one happy country.
Ha. That’s the message of an upcoming blog post I’m working on called Freedom and Independence. Like you say, people are looking for more than just housing.
Yes, ramps and curves are a more natural movement pattern, like music. See the curved and flowing Organic Architecture of James H. Klippel on Yuotube at this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMUQUwtexl8
Very nice. The natural way is the best way.
Shelter – one of the “pillars” of basic human needs and rights. When someone “decides” and scribbles down on a piece of paper that one has no such right – that in itself calls for a peaceful revolution. Oppression is the reason why George the III was fought back. Now we are at the same point as hamsters in a wheel.
Only in America people cry over their “homes” being demolished by county officials. In Palestine they stand in front of bulldozers! Rachel Cory anyone? Why is everyone AFRAID?
It may be those who do most, dream most. – Stephen Leacock.
Dream BIG and BEAUTIFUL! Actions are NEXT.
Out-smart them! If a “building” requires a permanent foundation – avoid it! Build a “shelter” instead with no permanent foundation. Give them back Knowledge and Love. Make them aware of their actions! With Facts and Truth!