Japanese Disposable Homes

House in Saijo / Suppose Design Office. Image Courtesy of Nacasa&Partners Inc

Interesting Freakonomics Podcast about the culture of disposable homes in Japan (heres the transcript). It makes for an interesting argument about whats the best economics to produce a building booms for new construction versus the sustainability of keeping and remodeling homes that is so typically done in America.

I have a feeling that many Architects don't like the idea of tearing down one of their designs after the short half-life (38) of a Japanese home. Although this short span of a home allows for many new and creative designs of homes to go up more rapidly and allows for more Architects to have more commissions.

I also found this video from the Youtube Japan Channel that describes and shows the disposable home market. It takes a look at the types of materials that are thrown together very quickly and how the financial value system works for purchasing.




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