WikiHouse – Open source, modular, wood based, zero carbon housing
Two things...<p>First, looking through their design guide (<a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.wikihouse.cc&#x2F;guides&#x2F;design" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.wikihouse.cc&#x2F;guides&#x2F;design</a>), the only thing they mention is that space (32mm in walls, I guess, and 70mm under ceilings) is provided.<p>Given that the plumbing, electrical, ventilation, appliances, etc. are the majority of the cost of a home, I find this a bit odd.  A typical American full bathroom costs something like $5k to $20k (and up... way up) depending on the quality.  A kitchen can cost multiple times more.  Sure, you can build them cheaper, but that&#x27;s the rub... most people who are in the market to purchase a home don&#x27;t want low-end bathrooms and kitchens.  Or windows.  Or lighting.  Or wall fixtures.  Or anything really.<p>Second, IMO, the problem with affordable housing is not a construction cost problem.  We can build small, livable (for various definitions) homes for $50k (or less) today, ignoring land costs.  But the regulatory costs, the land costs, the <i>market demands</i> all make building such homes a non-profitable endeavor.   Why build 20 $50k homes on the land and make $200k profit when you can build 10 $500k homes and make $1mil in profit?<p>The affordable housing crisis in the America do not have a technical solution, only a socio-political one.  And since nearly all the power related to zoning, building costs, etc are managed at the local and state level, that means engaging with local politics.