What Are Habitat Houses Like Around the World?

Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire):
Bricks for this house are made from a Cinva-Ram
press, which compresses a mixture of cement and dirt
or clay in a metal box to form bricks. The bricks dry in
the shade for about two weeks. Spaces are left above
both the interior and exterior walls to improve
ventilation.
Average house cost: $2,545 (U.S.)


Papua New Guinea:
Due to heavy rains, houses are built on stilts
to keep the house dry. The area under the
house is used for storage, community
gatherings and livestock. Concrete is
expensive and not widely used in PNG, so
wood is treated to prevent decay and termite
infestation.
Average house cost: $2,304 (U.S.)


Sri Lanka:
House-building materials differ from region to region.
In some areas, houses are built with 6-inch hollow
concrete blocks for walls and micro concrete roof tiles.
Similar to blocks used in Guatemala, the hollow blocks
have holes for steel rods to help the structure resist
earthquakes. In other places, houses are built with dry
stacked interlocking compressed earth blocks on a
stone rubble foundation with corrugated roofing sheets.
A lime wash on top of the blocks offers weather
resistance. The house design includes a cooking area,
gable roof and pour flush toilet.
Average house cost:$2,436 (U.S.)


India:
Meals and socializing occur on the porch.
The high entry step is believed to keep
snakes from entering, and the bars on the
windows protect from thieves and monkeys.
Houses are built of fired bricks for walls and
steel-reinforced concrete roof slabs. Some
houses are made with hollow-core concrete
blocks and tile roofs.
Average house cost: US$1,793 (U.S.)


Romania:
The traditional construction block
construction in Romania takes at least a
year to build, but with a plentiful supply of
wood, affiliates are choosing to use wood
frame construction which is quicker, more
volunteer friendly and more energy efficient.
With rigid foam insulation placed on top of
the OSB board on exterior walls, and
fiberglass insulation used in the stud cavity
in the wall, an R value of 35 has been
achieved. A similar combination of
insulation is used in the roof. Stucco
protects the house walls from weathering
and locally made clay tiles finish the roof.
Average house cost: $24,843 (U.S.)


Hungary:
The Csepel Project was a ten-unit townhouse
development completed in two phases in 1998 and
1999. The first four units were built in traditional 2x4
wood frame style. The next six units were also wood
frame houses, but a more advanced prefabricated
panel type technology was used which allowed for a
faster, more efficient construction. Both phases were
completed in about 6 months each.
Average house cost: $25,516 (U.S.)


Guatemala:
Houses made of hollow concrete blocks are designed
to resist earthquakes. Steel rods reinforce the wall
every meter. The spaces around the rods are filled with
concrete. Horizontal rods are run through U-blocks at
the foundation, window sill and top. The window
coverings and door in this photo are wood; however,
metal is used in some areas where wood is more
expensive.
Average house cost: $2,100 (U.S.)