How To Build an Open Source House? 274
An anonymous reader writes "I'm starting a project that I hope that the engineers, makers and general DIYers in the Slashdot crowd can help out with. The full story's on the website, but the short version is as follows: my aim is to make a cheap, recycled, sustainable building, to document the process fully and to release anything that would help others to do the same. I intend to use an old train carriage as the shell, but the ideas should extend to shipping containers, aeroplane fuselages or anything similar. I know I'm not the first to do this, but I can't see anyone else who's provided a detailed step-by-step account of the build, complete with plans and the rest. Before I start, though, I'm trying to draw on as much collective experience as possible, and to head off mistakes before they happen. My question to Slashdot is simple: what do you think I need to know before I begin?"
Open source? Avoid the GPL (Score:5, Funny)
It's my understanding that if you GPL it, Richard Stallman can come and stay there for free.
IANAL, IAAT.
Make an igloo like in the cartoons (Score:5, Funny)
A bread pan and some water is all you need; fill, freeze, stack, repeat until you have a house. To recycle, add heat. Freezing water hasn't been patented by Amazon yet, so do it while it is still an open technology.
Sourceforge (Score:5, Funny)
There's a Sourceforge project for this already. The developers have done a wonderful job on the home theater and kitchen, but nobody's worked on the plumbing and foundation yet.
Re:As someone with an architecture background... (Score:3, Funny)
That's because every building, no matter how modular or factory-built, is very customized due to local building codes, site-specific issues, and the personal tastes of the owner or builder.
What you're doing sounds cool (London Tube train car into a home) but it's such a niche idea that of course you're not going to find step-by-step how-to guides. It's admirable that you want to share every step of the process online, but truly "open-source" doesn't really make a difference in this situation. Oh, and btw, there are legal issues with releasing your construction documents for others' use. Architects and contractors are licensed because they are taking on liability for the specifications and buildings they produce.
Just build a house that meets every building code in the world!
*snickers*
-Taylor
My experience with open source projects (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Open source? Avoid the GPL (Score:4, Funny)
Please. RMS has no problems staying for free under an MIT license, either.
Re:To all the building code replies... (Score:2, Funny)
Where he lives "Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms" is a convenience store.
Re:There's a reason... (Score:3, Funny)
1.
Thank you, I'll be here all week. Try the veal.
Re:Open source? Avoid the GPL (Score:3, Funny)
and GNU your wife
Oh that's easy (Score:1, Funny)
just have everyone come and throw building materials in a pile. Eventually someone will get fed up with the pile and organize it into a slipshod approximation of a house.
Re:Whatever you know, it won't be enough (Score:3, Funny)
Except we already know we have no friends before we start.