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A unique design for your home will not only make it stand out, it could also save you a lot of money
The purchase, building, and maintenance of a home are a costly endeavor. Therefore, it is understandable that some people are looking for a property that is not too time- and money-consuming to build, that is made to last, and that is relatively easy to maintain. All of these while still meeting their needs and preferences.
After browsing listings upon listings of properties for sale, some people might realize that the house they are looking for is not available on the market. Fortunately, there are alternative designs that can do well in helping you save on maintenance costs, construction time, and even the size of the land required, not to mention that some (if not all) of these can even help reduce the footprint you make on the environment.
Fixer-Upper
The downside of buying or building a brand new home with all the latest features and design elements is that it can be quite expensive. A logical alternative would then be to buy a home that is considered a “fixer-upper,” which is an ideal way to not only save money, but to also to be able to improve it as you see fit.
Some fixer-uppers also tend to be on the market as foreclosures, which means you can get them on an even lower price. However, like foreclosures, fixer-uppers tend to be sold “where is, as is,” and the amount of repairs and improvements needed may also be costly as a whole, so be wary of the issues that you see as non-negotiable and only consider a property that does not have any serious issues and can be gradually improved over time.
Container Van Home
Homes made from container vans have been gaining popularity of late. A container-van home is relatively cheaper to build than a conventional home and uses fewer raw materials.
Builders can use as little as one container van to build a modest single-family home or combine crates to make a larger residence or even bigger property. An example of this is Citihub, an all-male dormitory in Mandaluyong where the living quarters are made of combined container vans. Another is Container City in Trinity Buoy Wharf in London, England, in which 20 container vans were converted into 15 eco-friendly live-and-work spaces.
Earth-Bag Home
Ideal for those who favor sustainability, an earth-bag home is exactly as it is called: a home constructed out of bags or sacks filled with earth (in some cases sand). These are then used as bricks to build the home’s foundation and walls. Usually done in the form of a dome, earth-bag homes are said to have significant insulation properties, making it easy to regulate the temperature inside.
Builders who have tested the bags have also reportedly concluded that an earth-bag weighing about 30 kilograms could withstand pressure of 7,000 psi—almost twice that an ordinary hollow block made of sand and cement could withstand. While numerous online resources share how to do it yourself, if you are building one it is still recommended to consult with builders who specialize on earth-bag homes.
Tiny House
The concept of tiny homes, which has been making waves overseas, provides options for home-seekers who cannot afford a big enough lot but who still prefer a house over a condo.
While not ideal for large families, if you fancy yourself a minimalist who likes to live simply, a tiny home could not only save you on the initial purchase cost, it also means thousands of pesos saved on maintenance. Indeed, there will fewer walls to paint, rooms to provide air-conditioning for and to maintain, and the list goes on and on.
Tree House
Tree houses are not a new concept in the Philippines, but they are most often utilized as play areas for children or for commercial use in resorts. However, it has been gaining attention lately as an actual place of residence in many parts of the world, and it is particularly ideal in the Philippines given our tropical climate.
If you are adventurous enough to actually own one, a treehouse is not only a unique home, it also will not get flooded. Similar to the classic bahay-kubo, it is also well ventilated as the air around it is efficiently circulated. However, keep in mind, that building one can be a tedious endeavor. Not only do you need to find the right builders, you also must ensure that the selected tree is viable and that you have the necessary permit to build your home on or around it.
Modern Bahay Kubo
Arguably the most recognizable parcel of Philippine architecture and design, the bahay kubo is perfectly suited for the country’s tropical climate. Its wide windows and the open space beneath it allow for air to easily circulate in, around, and under it. Being on stilts, a bahay-kubo is also protected from flooding.
While other home designs are now at the forefront, many Filipino architects have not forgotten the wisdom of the principles of bahay kubo; in fact, many of them now offer modern renditions that can become your new energy-efficient, flood-proof home. While contemporary in aesthetics and building materials, these modern bahay kubos are still centered on being sustainable, making them less costly and less adverse to the environment.
Main image via Deposit Photos
