Peoples Republic of South Devon

Styro-homes

August 15th, 2008

What do you think of when you hear the term styrofoam? Coffee cups? Packaging material that seems to double in size when you want to dispose of it? Well technically you’d be wrong. The above are actually made of expanded polystyrene beads which are, I’m reliably informed, very different.

Real styrofoam is a much more useful product. Its insulating and buoyant properties coupled with its durability and flexibility have resulted in its use in many situation. Employed for pipe and building insulation, craft products, under-road padding, and even lifeboats, it really is a jack of all trades.

But now it’s impressive repertoire has been raised to a brand new level – styrofoam houses.

Japan Dome House Company Ltd has developed what has been termed the “habitat for the 21^st century” - igloo-shaped houses built with snap-together sections of styrofoam, each weighing around 80kg. Crazy as it sounds, there are multiple benefits to using styrofoam as the basis for a building – not least the ease of construction. The styrofoam sections can be snapped together to make a variety of differently shaped and sized homes, from small, one room igloos to elongated structures suitable for a number of functions.

And unlike traditional building materials such as metal and wood, styrofoam doesn’t rust, rot, or attract termites. The dense, 175mm thick walls also have excellent thermal insulation properties meaning they are very energy efficient in terms of heating and cooling. Furthermore the walls are treated with flame retardants and emit no toxic fumes in the event of a fire.

Styrofoam is also highly resistant to natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. And it is because of the former that American scientists are now looking into it as very real option for rebuilding homes in Afghanistan. The region is constantly plagued with earthquakes and many homes are continuously destroyed and rebuilt just to be demolished by the next quake. Tests are currently being run to simulate whether styrofoam is a realistic solution to this problem, and the results so far look positive.

Back in Japan, the Land and Transport Ministry have already approved that the domes can be built anywhere in the country with the proper permit. Already used as homes, bars, offices, hotels, saunas, freezer rooms, and even hog farms, they appear to be catching on fast. But will they catch on over here? With prices starting at only £15,000, I can’t think of any other options for a first time buyer….

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Entry Filed under: technology