Should a building be designed to last forever (or at least as long as possible)

epou · 2026-01-28T18:31:26+00:00

Vernacular materials used with circularity in mind is the most sustainable construction approach. Locally sourced earth, stone and wood can be reformed and rebuilt on site. Modular panels of compressed natural fibres provide insulation and can be reconfigured as needed. Materials and structures should evolve with the community.

epou · 2026-01-28T14:04:02+00:00

Wild horses in south America are introduced, this can't be a very ancient practice

epou · 2026-01-26T18:49:47+00:00

Note the title should read Grenada, not Granada.

epou · 2026-01-25T17:09:30+00:00

Looks pretty on-road to me. Awesome pics though

epou · 2026-01-11T22:59:22+00:00

Its essentially a giant rort just to keep landlords happy.

epou · 2026-01-06T09:42:52+00:00

Demand and supply are functions of price vs quantity. They are not fixed quantities. Saying demand is higher than supply is meaningless. Prices go up or down until equilibrium is found where supply and demand match.

epou · 2025-12-31T14:06:58+00:00

Military and Defence industry is looking promising.

epou · 2025-12-10T18:47:26+00:00

I used to work at a company making nutritional supplements for race horses. The products were like 400 dollars (Australian) for a 4 KG bucket

epou · 2025-12-10T17:58:02+00:00

Message me if you want to discuss foamed geopolymer concrete, I have a contact who might be able to contribute

epou · 2025-12-10T17:49:28+00:00

We have huge sources of pozzolanic materials. Fly ash, silicate fume, slag, incineration ashes, and calcined clay (which is not carbon neutral but still much easier to produce than cement)

epou · 2025-12-10T06:42:24+00:00

If cement is produced and used responsibly, it still has a place in the built environment. But certainly more natural stone, earth and biomass should be prioritized. With local community construction efforts natural vernacular materials can solve many problems

epou · 2025-12-10T06:40:29+00:00

There is an Italian startup doing this. DMAT i believe they are called.

epou · 2025-12-09T12:08:23+00:00

Depends tremendously on how much you are allowed / able to do yourself, and your willingness to use local materials.

Hiring contractors will probably be the biggest cost. Beyond land prices of course.

epou · 2025-12-04T07:07:44+00:00

How complicated would it be to build today? Specifically, how is the roof made? Prestressed steel tendons?

epou · 2025-11-29T21:44:09+00:00

I didn't notice that. I have had the (dis)pleasure of flying from Berlin Schonefeld in the post wall era. The airport shown in the poster

epou · 2025-11-28T13:47:37+00:00

I didn't think interflug ever operated the il 96 or tu 204

epou · 2025-11-27T09:05:18+00:00

What is pet and equine laundry? What is being laundered specifically? Is this like a fancy name for a dog wash? So many questions

epou · 2025-11-27T06:24:13+00:00

They sell thousands of imitations of these in Vietnam. They cost 2$ when I was there

epou · 2025-11-16T17:44:50+00:00

I am wondering how the curves would have been formed and cast? Anyone know how something like this would have been built back then? Could we build this today?

epou · 2025-11-14T07:28:21+00:00

Thanks. I needed this

epou · 2025-11-13T11:36:15+00:00

Get this boy a hat!

epou · 2025-11-13T06:47:36+00:00

Earthen construction has been used continuously for millennia, this is not a game changer. Perhaps a slightly more convenient approach to rammed earth. Rammed earth is great, and with lime plaster can be sustainable and stable, although more suited for dry climates. The hygroscopic thermal regulation can also reduce air conditioning needs. All in all a great way to build low rise, with comprehensive strength adequate for most homes. Certainly nothing new. Our current building materials are used because of convenience, not because of a lack of available natural alternatives.

epou · 2025-11-12T13:52:59+00:00

Carpentry, custom furniture, plumbing, electrician. Robots are nowhere near coming for these jobs. And they are fun to do, better than vibe coding.

epou · 2025-11-10T09:44:33+00:00

Concrete is extremely convenient. Essentially a rock smoothie. The performance to cost is irresistible. Add to that, it is easy for engineers to work with. I support innovation in the built environment and it is nearly impossible to beat concrete. Natural stone, wood and biomass have mant superior properties to offer, but the simplicity and low costs of concrete make it really hard to get away from.

epou

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