Low-cost housing using sustainable materials and catenary shapes

Abstract

The United Nations estimates that approximately 12% of the world's population live in slums, which is about 860 million people. The use of the word “slums“ infers that its occupants live in informal housing, or housing that does not comply with building codes and regulations, are inferior in construction and often present health hazards. Although every nation is inherently responsible to ensure that this basic need is met, usually finances and social prioritization are the inhibiting factors. In fact, the rate of increase in slums is exceeding population growth. The world is digressing. This paper is therefore an attempt to provide an alternative solution to the housing problem. A housing solution should be affordable, include sustainable building materials and optimize the structural shape. A prototype house is presented, which incorporates cement-stabilized earth blocks (CSEB) and blocks made from recycled building material. A typical pitched roof is also replaced with a catenary brick vault.