31–40 of 402 posts
The oldest property record for the place dated it back to the year 1200. It's a large, normal looking house, and the walls are made out of irregular stone blocks mortared together.
For what it's worth, buildings like this aren't that uncommon in Italy.
Constructing a building that would last 1000 years is not particularly hard with modern engineering and materials. The hard part is, first and foremost, getting someone to pay for it. I'm not going to live 1000 years. My great grandkids likely won't even live to see the year 3022. Why would I spend orders of magnitude more for a house if a structure meant to last ~100 years serves my needs perfectly? My friend just n…
a good society is one where old men plant trees who’s shade they’ll never sit in
Stainless steel girders? I see this is a no costs spared build. At one point the author even considered Inconel girders, but practical considerations on builder experience with exotic alloys made that a bridge too far. Even so he is planning to have builders come in an brick up the entire frame before the rest of the house is built. I did like that he realized one of the most important aspects of keeping a house arou…
Constructing a building that would last 1000 years is not particularly hard with modern engineering and materials. The hard part is, first and foremost, getting someone to pay for it. I'm not going to live 1000 years. My great grandkids likely won't even live to see the year 3022. Why would I spend orders of magnitude more for a house if a structure meant to last ~100 years serves my needs perfectly? My friend just n…
>The second problem is making sure people want to maintain the structure for 1000 years, or at least not tear it down. I don't think this is as hard as the other comentors are saying, though. Just don't build the house in a city. I live in about a 200 year old house but it has been extensively reworked over its lifetime including by me. And given that it's on a nice piece of exurban property it's hardly a stretch to…
My house was technically built in 1897 but was moved in the 1920s on to a new foundation and we basically knocked the entire thing down and rebuilt it a few years ago after we bought it. Now we're adding to it again. It shares some of the DNA of that house from 1897 but basically none of the parts anymore and is much nicer looking whilst keeping the old timey style.
You should still use reinforcement in the concrete: Use basalt rebar instead of steel; it will not corrode. Use a nylon fiber in the mix to protect against impact and spalling from fire. Use 5000 psi concrete instead of 2500. This is much stronger and will be less likely to break down under any environment. Use a vapor barrier underneath to help prevent moisture and gas from coming up into the house. Put the foundati…
Why do you need shudders for your windows? Is that for hurricane/storm protection?
Edit: I should point out that the Edinburgh New Town is quite old, but not as old as the Old Town, obviously.
This is interesting. About to do a major reno on an old home (early 1900s) and definitely had questions about making upgrades that would last a long time. One of the greenest things that you can do to a home is not build a new one as I understand it. Another one would be to build it so it lasts ... not like this throwaway society we live in. That said I don't think I can do steel girders to extend the life of the hou…
I would need evidence for this statement. There have been many great advances in technology over the years, to the point that I can see old insulation/wiring/plumbing to not be worth repairing and replacing. Not to mention if any of the previous stuff used harmful materials such as lead and asbestos.
I also think it is unreasonable to assume current lifestyles and needs will be satisfactory for future generations.
Stainless steel girders? I see this is a no costs spared build. At one point the author even considered Inconel girders, but practical considerations on builder experience with exotic alloys made that a bridge too far. Even so he is planning to have builders come in an brick up the entire frame before the rest of the house is built. I did like that he realized one of the most important aspects of keeping a house arou…
"Eyesore" also depends on the community. Lots of places will keep an eyesore place gladly because they can't infringe on the property owners rights. Many places in Asia are like this in general.
Of course, designing widely beloved buildings is easier said than done.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Not to mention wood fireplaces in the home and the noxious byproducts they produce is likely to shorten your lifespan considerably.
This is not the case when using modern wood burning stoves though right?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/18/wood-bur...
You should still use reinforcement in the concrete: Use basalt rebar instead of steel; it will not corrode. Use a nylon fiber in the mix to protect against impact and spalling from fire. Use 5000 psi concrete instead of 2500. This is much stronger and will be less likely to break down under any environment. Use a vapor barrier underneath to help prevent moisture and gas from coming up into the house. Put the foundati…
I also dislike how the author completely punted on insulation. I think that's a very important part of any new building. It's easy to insulate your proposed design.