Every region has its own designs for local traditional houses. These houses reflect the climate and available materials, as well as the taste of the people who live there. Brick houses generally are based on Portuguese designs, and more recently Indonesian designs. Sometimes the materials used are not suitable for climate conditions, especially for houses built in coastal areas. It is very important to choose building materials that suit the local climate. The shape and size of a house will have impacts on its temperature, comfort, strength, durability, and its resistance to disasters.
SMART IDEAS!
• A curved wall is stronger than a straight one, and more beautiful too! • A house can be built with indoor and outdoor living areas.
• Combine traditional house designs with modern house designs.
• The position of the rooms is very important. A room that faces the afternoon sun will be the hottest room during the night. For example, a room that faces the afternoon sun is very appropriate for colder areas, but not appropriate for coastal areas.
• A veranda or shade structure can be built at the west side of the house (where the sun sets) to help keep the house cooler during the night.
• Building a house on stilts/poles will improve ventilation and reduce the risk of flooding.
• A wide roof will reduce the amount of direct sunlight reaching the walls. This will help to cool down a house built in a hot area.
• In areas with strong winds, a four sided roof is better than a two sided one for preventing wind damage. This is because the wind blows over the top instead of underneath, which can sometimes even blow off the roof!
Be creative and decorative!
Future development and changes can also be planned. For example, if you build a small house now because of limited materials or money, plan which rooms you would like to add on in the future.
M o d u l e 3 : H o u s e s , W a t e r , a n d W a s t e M a n a g e m e n t
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Building materials
The most common building materials used are wood, plywood, bamboo, grass thatch, brick, cement, and tin. These are widely known and need no explanation of how to use them.
Bamboo, clay, stone, and other traditional building materials have been used for a very long time, and are good building materials if used properly. Some simple ideas and techniques on how to use them will be explained in this book.
Clay
If built properly a clay, mud brick or clay brick walled house can last for a very long time. In some countries there are clay or mud brick houses that are 100-200 years old, or more! There are many areas that have good clay for making mud bricks or building clay walls. Clay houses stay much cooler in hot climates than do cement block houses, but good ventilation is still very important. Clay walls store heat throughout the day. At night, clay walls will slowly release this stored heat and help to keep the house warm. Clay houses are very suitable for areas that get colder at night.
Clay walls are made using clay, water, and some dry grass. Mix all the materials together, then start building at the base and slowly build up.
Clay is more commonly used to make bricks. Clay bricks are made by combining clay and water (some dry grass may also be added). The material is placed into a mold and pressed, then the bricks are removed and dried. This process is similar to making cement bricks.
Two other type of blocks are stabilized earth blocks and adobe blocks. Stabilized earth blocks are made from clay, earth, and 10% cement. Adobe blocks are made from garden soil and grass cuttings.
SMART IDEAS!
• A render (sand and cement mixture) is essential for clay houses to
last a long time. Using a small amount of cow manure in the render will help to prevent damage from insects and weather.
• The roof should hang past the walls to protect them from damage due to heavy rains.
Stone
Stone houses take a long time to build, but once they are built properly, they will last a very long time. Stone walls take a long time to heat up, so they stay cool throughout the day. Stone walls also store heat very well, so the house will stay warmer at night. Another benefit of using stone, is that it can easily be combined with other types of materials. There are many good stones/rocks to use, the main problem is transporting them.
SMART IDEAS!
• Don’t use a cement mixture to hold the stones into place. If you do, the wall will fall down in a few years. Use cement only to fill in the gaps between the stones. • To achieve the benefits of using stone, while also saving money and time, only
use stone for the west wall (where the sun sets) of the house. This will help to keep the house cool in the afternoon and warm during the night.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a very well known material. It can be used for anything, including roofs, walls, decorations, furniture, and much more.
Bamboo is very suitable for coastal areas because it has good ventilation. It is light, but strong and easy to work with. Selecting the right type of bamboo, cutting it in the right way and curing it will make the bamboo last much longer. (For more information on bamboo, see Module 8 – Forests, Tree Crops, and Bamboo).