Ask HN: Where to find open-source house plans?

- buying some architectural books. Many (good ones) have plans in them from excellent architects. A sample from a good one is at [0]. If your tastes are not so 'architecture school' there are others.

- looking at the development approvals in your local area. Plans are often open to all. And they will (assumedly) be up to code in your area today.

Imo the concept of 'open source' doesn't translate to houses as well because regulation, construction approaches and tastes can be so locally specific and also change over time.

[0] https://issuu.com/birkhauser.ch/docs/floor_plan_manual_housi...

Re: Ask HN: Where to find open-source house plans?

#8

Post by hockey » Wed, Aug 23, 2023, 11:29 AM UTC

Check the local council websites.

In Australia at least we need to submit development approvals which are public for some time.

As part of these approvals there will be floor plans and architectural drawings. They won't be enough to build off (usually), but they're a great source of inspiration it you're looking for ideas, costings, and what your local council is willing to approve.

Re: Ask HN: Where to find open-source house plans?

#9

Post by polonbike » Wed, Aug 23, 2023, 11:29 AM UTC

Not completely what you are looking for, but still open source plans of house: Wikihouse https://www.wikihouse.cc/

Earthships are also said to be open source, but the plans are (definitely) not free https://earthshipbiotecture.com/

You can also check Open Source Home, by Studiolada (those are free, but the plans are in french) https://www.countryliving.com/remodeling-renovation/news/g46...

Open Source Ecology is now listing a house in their list of builds https://www.opensourceecology.org/extreme-build-of-the-seed-...

Open Building Institute is also promoting a configurable house https://www.openbuildinginstitute.org/

Re: Ask HN: Where to find open-source house plans?

#10

Post by friendzis » Wed, Aug 23, 2023, 11:31 AM UTC

Real estate ads?