<?xml version="1.0"?>
<rss version="2.0">
<channel>
<title><![CDATA[Comments for entry "Cheapatopia Houses" at Dilbert.com Blog]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/330]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[Regular thoughts and updates from Dilbert.com]]></description>
<language><![CDATA[en-us]]></language>
<generator><![CDATA[VPI.Net MyBlogAbout]]></generator>
<managingEditor><![CDATA[]]></managingEditor>
<webMaster><![CDATA[]]></webMaster>
<ttl><![CDATA[5]]></ttl>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from steveens]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/36007]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[Scott you might be interested in Christopher Alexander's writing about architecture.  Definitely more to do with livability than cost effectiveness, but I believe both are considered:
http://www.amazon.com/Pattern-Language-Buildings-Construction-Environmental/dp/0195019199/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1251043612&amp;sr=8-1]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[SunAMCDTE_Rrdrd]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/36007]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from bif]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35994]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[Looks like someone invented a battery efficient enough to store energy generated from solar/wind generators.

http://www.heraldextra.com/news/article_b0372fd8-3f3c-11de-ac77-001cc4c002e0.html

These would be phenomenal in an energy-efficient house.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[SatAMCDTE_Rndnd]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35994]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from Leora]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35923]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[See, you lost me when you said the garage doesn't have to be heated or cooled.  I work on my vehicles in my garage, which means I need heat in the winter and at least good airflow in the summer.  And when it's -30 outside, you don't want to be lying on an unheated concrete slab, even if you are out of the snow.  

And we already know you don't like windows, since they're just so much work.  Maybe you could install automatic openers/closers/washers, set to open in the cooler morning and evening, close during the heat of the day, and wash once a week or two.  Hey, you can already get the LCD ones that darken automatically.  
Get on that, would you, and let us know what you come up with.  Cheers.

]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[ThuAMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35923]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from dbarrow2]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35835]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[Scott,

I think you are on the right track.  So why not go one step further and build modular component housing.  All units would have solar roof panels that would be connected in series as the components are put together.  You have the &quot;wet units&quot;  i.e. a standard Kitchen/Dining unit; Bathroom unit;  Utility unit (mudroom, washer ,dryer).  All of these would have on demand hot water incorporated, water connections and electrical plug-ins under the floor which can be quickconnected to the adjacent units. Living space unit, Small, Medium and Large Bedroom Units, foyer, could be added as needed.  All built to be placed on stained slab flooring.  Mr. and Mrs. Homeowner can put together their house in a standard predesigned pattern or with the assistance of an architect/designer that can help them design their own home with all of the units they want.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[WedAMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35835]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from saketj]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35808]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[Okay I guess my voice is going to get drowned in the sea of comments here. I'm Indian and we have a traditional system called Vaastu, which tries to address these issues too.

Some things I remember from it is that it is good to have living spaces facing south. The sun tends to plot an arc across the sky over the day and in the summer months the arc is more north, while in the winter months the arc is on the southern side of the sky. So if you have living spaces facing south, you tend to have a house that is warm in winter and cooler in the summers.

Vaastu also incorporates a lot of elements for airflow. In India east west breezes occur from the ocean to land during the day and land to ocean in the night. As a consequence if you had huge windows on the east-west sides of your house you would get plenty of cross ventilation, keeping your house cooler. Okay a lot of Indian design is about keeping things cooler, but it does work in California too.

I liked a recent WSJ article about Frank Lloyd Wright's designs and he seems to use huge glass windows to use natural light in the living areas. This is a multi-variable problem so you can optimize a few things for sure like you noted. Plumbing ease is not something I would optimize because it is a one-time cost.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[TuePMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35808]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from builderbob]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35805]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[If you want to see what a home like this looks like and you're near Warsaw, MO, give me a call and drop by!  I built mine as a retirement home 5 years ago.  1120 SF, single wet wall, solar orientation and appropriate window screening, on-demand hot water heater, porcelain tile floors, screened porch. etc.  I spent more time designing it than in actually building it.  Is it perfect?  Not by a long shot, but close enough!  It helps to remember, &quot;All houses (and spouses) have 10 flaws; pick 10 you can live with.&quot;]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[TuePMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35805]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from markploch]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35801]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[But why does this still happen?
Please read
http://markploch.blogspot.com/]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[TuePMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35801]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from juvegirl]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35798]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[Isn't interesting that this post, while decidedly longer than usual, has had only 35 posts (plus mine, 36) , while the previous entry was one of the shortest, and has (as of this posting) 155?]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[TueAMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35798]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from nate_watson]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35785]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[The houses in Cheapatopia should be modular to the point of efficiency, and yet changeable to the point that people can customize it for their own needs. For obvious reasons, there would be no useless rooms like living rooms, dining rooms, and foyers.

Each house should have a kitchen with plenty of storage and places to put appliances; a family room with a couch, TV, and table; an eating room which can be conveniently switched from formal to casual and back &quot;adjacent to the kitchen;&quot; some bedrooms with closets and bathrooms; dozens of nooks and crannies that can be used for anything such as a litter box or broom closet; a general storage room for things like survival equipment and other things that you put in your garage; and a &quot;theme&quot; room for whatever things you like/need that are not in a normal house, football players could turn this room into a gym, techies could turn it into a tech lab, most people could turn it into a home theater or game room, single desperate trekies could even turn it into a shrine to Kate Mulgrew or Jeri Ryan, bottom line, it would be the customizable room. This house design would be modular, yet customizable.

There would be no home offices. Instead, each nine houses or so could chare a tenth module about the size of one house that incorporates the home offices. This way, the offices could have a meeting room, break room and all the other conveniences of offices that are part of a cooperate building, without the inconvenience of having to use obscene amounts of space in your home. This wouldn't work if you like to work in your underwear or something like that, &quot;unless you use the customizable room as an office.&quot; However, if you are one of most people, this would be a good arrangement.

Each house would not have an actual lawn. Lawns only take up space and produce oxygen. Instead, you would grow genetically engineered plants on the side of your house. This way, you could get oxygen without using up space!

There would be no garages since Cheapatopia has no cars.
]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[TueAMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35785]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from DilbertMJJ]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35784]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[I have thought quite a bit about the home I'd like to build.  I care mostly about ease of maintenance and low a/c bills.  The actual layout for use comes third.  I have recently been thinking that a two-story with the first being essentially a garage/basement.  The first floor would not be air-conditioned or heated and would allow access to all electrical, supply and drain-side plumbing.  Each room would have it's out circuit (I don't care about wire and plumbing material costs since I'm only building one house) I want access and ease of maintenance.  A great room would be best for the way we live and a large screened porch as you suggest.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[TueAMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35784]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from god save England]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35779]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[LONGEST POST EVER!]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[TueAMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35779]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from johno777]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35777]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[Scott, most of these are great ideas.

I would like to point out that in Australia a lot of them are already commonplace.  For example:

* About a quarter of the homes I see in my area have the distintive Solar hot water system on the roof.  You are right in that the tank adds thermal mass, and in one design of heater that is taken into account.

* The covered porch is called a Verandah in Australia, and almost all homes have them to a greater or lesser extent.  If it is screened, it is called a &quot;Queensland Room&quot;.  Some people have their BBQ set up in a verandah, in extreme cases complete with an extra sink and fridge; in summer most meals are cooked and eaten in the open air if this is available.

* Double garages are very often built into houses (usually acting as a basement), and using them as entertaining spaces is commonplace.

* The high thermal mass object (e.g. cavity brick wall in the middle of the house)  is often a part of Australian homes, though it has to be said that this is often more for structural reasons than warming/cooling[1].

* Nearly all Australian homes are carefully orientated to make the best use of natural heating and cooling.

Still, some good stuff.  I hope someone expands on your ideas!

[1] I have one such wall, because my house is a duplex.  I had often wondered why the home is so cool in Summer and warm in Winter; now at least one of the reasons is clear!
* 

]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[TueAMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35777]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from bennett_xander]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35771]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[I think your concept is too Idealist, particularly when you start talking about the communal park and the projector screen that is perfectly viewable from every room.

I do like the idea of the porch. Not sure why they went out of style.

Your green ideas are a lot like saying you're going to drive one mile less a day. It won't help.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[MonPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35771]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from keeffer]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35770]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[scott- your home posts always remind me of one thing.  there is definitely a reason i went in to commercial architecture and not residential. owners are always the worst clients. 

some of these are great ideas that are already considered in commercial architecture as SOP.  but building your shower based on tile size?  you'd spend more money in architect/designer fees, revisions of drawings, bulletins to contractors and coordination with subs than the tile for the shower cost in the first place.  all to save on the waste of 20 or so tiles.  (when they'll order an extra box anyway in case something happens and they break some.)]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[MonPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35770]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from Dooby]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35768]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[I've said it before, but Scott, your Cheapatopia homes need to be modeled after dormitories. You get the best energy efficiency, the best social opportunities, and the best mass transit options when people live together in buildings instead of individual homes. I realize you've done lots of research on energy efficient homes, and you want to share that, but in terms of land use, transit patterns, and social interaction you need to be thinking in terms of collective use. That's how we can live cheaply, yet happily, and feel as if we have everything we need or want.

You might have a great idea about a cheap house that's energy efficient and pleasant to live in, but a city full of them will never be as energy efficient per capita as New York City is right now.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[MonPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35768]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from adorita]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35765]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[The wet side dry side is very basic design technique. If you see the plan of high rise, all the wet stuff are in the middle. The problem is that the final decision is often depends on how the buyers feel about the place. And how they can show off their wealth to their peers. It is like we all know that fake boobs aren't practical, but they draw attention.

IKEA is building houses in Europe that are  very close to your cheapatopia ideal. http://www.boklok.com/

BTW, &quot;cheapatopia&quot; sounds like a menu item from Taco Bell.]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[MonPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35765]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from Dingbat]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35761]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[arbyisme: &quot;Today this house design is excellent for low income urban infill residential areas.&quot;

I can think of another use for that design: multi-generational housing. Actually, I'm thinking more like a really simple, one bedroom - handicapped-accessible home. I'd like to have my MIL move in with me, because she really can't make it entirely on her own - but she'd be miserable sharing space in my busy, noisy house. I know I'm not alone in this. Everyone eventually needs to figure this out. We have a large enough lot that we could build a second home - though I'm not sure about zoning. I know we could subdivide. I don't know about this plan.  

Efficiency-thinking should encompass generational housing issues as well. I think more families would take care of their own - if they could figure out living arrangements that didn't drive everyone batty. You can't get much more efficient than that. 

]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[MonPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35761]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from RisingStars]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35754]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[This is an awesome post. What a thinker! Thank you!]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[MonPMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35754]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from arbyisme]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35751]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[Good ideas. Higher income families can afford these larger efficient homes. However, the real need for housing in the country today is for low income families. Several years ago in California I designed and built efficient and inexpensive one story rectangular 780 to 1040 sq. ft. 2 X 4 stick 2 and 3 bedroom SFRs for rentals. They were somewhat similar to the post WW II houses mass built for returning GIs.

A common kitchen/service/bathroom 2 X 6 wall held back to back plumbing and electrical for the sinks, toilet, fiberglass shower/tub, free standing stove/oven, refrigerator, wall heater and washer/dryer. Electric service panel, drain and water main located at exterior end of common wall to reduce wire and plumbing runs. The common wallâ€™s 2 X 6 lumber was originally used to form the concrete foundation.

Gable roof framed with inexpensive manufactured trusses. Wallboard covered with strong thin coat plaster. House has common entry, living, dining, kitchen, hall space with a sliding glass door off the kitchen to the back. All vinyl tile floors, solid Formica counter tops and painted particle board cabinets.

Were not pretty but functional and much stronger, efficient, easier to maintain and longer lasting than mobile homes or manufactured housing. Improvements added later are ceiling fans, central AC, porch, patio cover, attached garage, carport, sheds, walks, fencing and landscaping. They stand today twenty five years later in excellent shape with minimal maintenance with almost zero vacancy. Tenant's utiltiy bills are curently 50 to 100 dollars a month.

Today this house design is excellent for low income urban infill residential areas. There is no extra cost for existing infrastructure. Public safety, transportation and a central location are already in place. City planning regulators should require that developers and builders place two or more of these units close in to help revitalized and recycle the city center for every one built elsewhere. Many cities already lower permit and mediation cost for such in close homes.
]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[MonAMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35751]]></guid>
</item>
<item>
<title><![CDATA[Comment  from arbyisme]]></title>
<link><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35750]]></link>
<description><![CDATA[Good ideas. Higher income families can afford these larger efficient homes. However, the real need for housing in the country today is for low income families. Several years ago in California I designed and built efficient and inexpensive one story rectangular 780 to 1040 sq. ft. 2 X 4 stick 2 and 3 bedroom SFRs for rentals. They were somewhat similar to the post WW II houses mass built for returning GIs.

A common kitchen/service/bathroom 2 X 6 wall held back to back plumbing and electrical for the sinks, toilet, fiberglass shower/tub, free standing stove/oven, refrigerator, wall heater and washer/dryer. Electric service panel, drain and water main located at exterior end of common wall to reduce wire and plumbing runs. The common wallâ€™s 2 X 6 lumber was originally used to form the concrete foundation.

Gable roof framed with inexpensive manufactured trusses. Wallboard covered with strong thin coat plaster. House has common entry, living, dining, kitchen, hall space with a sliding glass door off the kitchen to the back. All vinyl tile floors, solid Formica counter tops and painted particle board cabinets.

Were not pretty but functional and much stronger, efficient, easier to maintain and longer lasting than mobile homes or manufactured housing. Improvements added later are ceiling fans, central AC, porch, patio cover, attached garage, carport, sheds, walks, fencing and landscaping. They stand today twenty five years later in excellent shape with minimal maintenance with almost zero vacancy. Tenant's utiltiy bills are curently 50 to 100 dollars a month.

Today this house design is excellent for low income urban infill residential areas. There is no extra cost for existing infrastructure. Public safety, transportation and a central location are already in place. City planning regulators should require that developers and builders place two or more of these units close in to help revitalized and recycle the city center for every one built elsewhere. Many cities already lower permit and mediation cost for such in close homes.
]]></description>
<pubDate><![CDATA[MonAMCDTE_Rthth]]></pubDate>
<guid isPermaLink="false"><![CDATA[http://dilbert.com/blog/entry/35750]]></guid>
</item>
<pubDate><![CDATA[WedPMCSTE_Rstst]]></pubDate>
<lastBuildDate><![CDATA[WedPMCSTE_Rstst]]></lastBuildDate></channel></rss>
