Truemors
is reporting from
Member
NP Rank:
NP Rank:
Styrofoam Homes: Typhoon-Resistant and Smurflike
Share:
by Jordan Yerman | August 8, 2008 at 04:57 am
809 views | 9 Recommendations | 8 comments
Photos
Videos
A quick article about styrofoam home kits, currently on sale in Japan. These are touted as the home of the future, but several have made Smurf comments. Fair enough, but they look more Logan's Run on the inside.
Dubbed the “habitat for the 21st century,” the Dome House is an igloo-shaped structure built from snap-together wall sections made of 100% expanded polystyrene foam (styrofoam). It might seem like an odd choice of material for a house, but the company lists a number of advantages that styrofoam has over traditional materials. Unlike wood and metal structures, for example, the styrofoam Dome House does not rust, rot or attract termites. It is also highly resistant to earthquakes and typhoons. In addition, the walls, which are treated with a flame retardant, emit no toxic fumes in a fire.
Still, the 480 domes at Aso Farm Land resort village in Kyushu look like a suburban community on Mos Eisley's outskirts or a world from Myst.
What is NowPublic?
NowPublic lets people work together to cover news events around the world.
Crowd Power
Jordan Yerman
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
whymcycles
Davis, California, United Stateshapposai
Swedenhairycarrot
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (8)
at 08:32 on August 8th, 2008
jordan, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 08:35 on August 8th, 2008
I bet the off gassing of the polystyrene would cause a mushroom like trip....not that I know what that is like or anything...
at 06:44 on August 9th, 2008
styrofoam is ok. It is the formeldahyde based foam that is bad. I know I did a huge historic victorian in Natick MA in 1979 just before the report came out.
at 08:48 on August 8th, 2008
Could be considered an art piece as well I suppose.
at 17:46 on August 8th, 2008
There is a company I believe called Alternative Buildings, who make a very cool fiberglass yurt which has a massive hurricane rating. The only real drawback is suspect air quality. If you google fiberglass yurts, you can find them.
at 00:53 on August 9th, 2008
On my way to the train station I pass a construction site where a couple of new houses based on styrofoam are being built. These houses will be clad with bricks, masking them as traditional even if they are Smurflike beneath the skin..
happosai has contributed a photo to this story.
at 06:51 on August 9th, 2008
Amphibious human powered, "That's A Mower, Eh?", created for the Kinetic Sculpture Race circuit by Peter Wagner. Free styrofoam provides the floatation in 4 strategic spots...and leaves little souvenirs
upon contact with other machinas...
whymcycles has contributed a photo to this story.
at 06:56 on August 9th, 2008
It' next iteration as the Kinetic Choo Choo used much more foam, but to the same general
(floating) effect. You can look up Whymcycle & see for yourself...!