When we look around the city, it may sometimes seem like the roads and buildings are randomly placed. But that's not true! Many city planners, engineers, architects, and developers have a special vocation. They are involved in urbanism. This includes planning for what the population will need in the future. This could mean building more schools, hospitals, roads, and housing.
Many students live too far from their universities. It's not feasible for them to return to their domiciles everyday. These students live in dormitories. Dormitories don't look like apartments or family homes. They're buildings with many bedrooms.
Students can decorate their own bedrooms, so that they fit their needs. There are usually rules in these dorms. For example, students cannot make huge changes or do renovations in their living space. There are also safety guidelines that prevent students from getting injured. Some students might get a room to themselves, but a lot of students have to share a room. It can be a great way to make new friends.
Some people live in mansions. Mansions can be very luxurious. Depending on the location, some mansions can cost over $50 million dollars. There's a mansion in Canada that is an astounding 65,000 square feet! It has many onsite facilities. They include two swimming pools, a waterfall, a boat garage, and its own lighthouse. It even has a golf course within its property.
Vernacular architecture is a building style and design that takes several factors into account. This kind of architecture should reflect the local climate. If the local climate is humid all the time, then mould prevention needs to be taken into consideration. The buildings should also reflect the local culture and traditions. This is important so that the people can feel a connection to their homes.
Vernacular architecture also considers what local materials are available for construction. It's much more efficient to use local materials than to transport them from a different location. It's also a more sustainable way to build homes.
The bamboo houses in Assam reflect these factors. The land provides an abundant amount of bamboo, which is used as the main construction material. The area is prone to earthquakes; therefore, the houses are built to withstand them. Assam is also known to flood, and the solution was to put the houses on stilts. The building pieces were also treated so that they wouldn't rot due to the humidity. You won't find the usual shingles on this rooftop. These homes have roofs that can withstand all the heavy rainfall in the region. These homes helped a village live through seven floods in three years!
Different materials are used for different types of dwellings. Many cabins are made from logs and planks of wood. These cabins can last a long time and endure some of the harshest weather. If the cabin is made with quality wood, very little maintenance is required. These cabins can be seen in countries like Canada that have a lot of domestic wood.
While wood can be a great material for houses and cabins, it cannot be used for high-rises. There are limitations and building codes in different countries for the height of wooden buildings. This is due to fire safety and the wood's wind resistance level. Instead, cement and concrete are used for tall buildings.
Corrugated metal has many different uses. This material can be used to build roofs, walls, ceilings, and much more. It’s very popular in fence making, because it can often be cheaper than wood. This metal is also durable and can withstand harsh weather. It's a kind of material that will last a long time, even without special maintenance. It won't rot or grow mould.
What kind of house do you want to build?