Housing

http://www.hgpho.to/wfest/house/house-e.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McMansion

http://seattle.gov/dpd/codesrules/changestocode/micros/whatwhy/

http://safebangladesh.wordpress.com/activities/improved-slum-housing/

So, yesterday, we talked about housing, and the ratio between square footage and # of occupants.

1. Paired reflection questions (keep a list of any additional references you use)

• How much square footage do you need for a family of four to sleep, eat, live, and wash in NE Iowa?  Be specific.  Draw a housing sketch.
• How does that compare with two of  the traditional housing types in the first link above?
• Energy is not 100% efficient, so how do we create a comfortable environment for housing occupants?  What temperature is needed for the housing?  
• What role does insulation and R-values play in creating this temperature?  Is it evident in the traditional housing or the slum housing?
• Pick either micro-housing or McMansion and compare it to your current housing environment.  
• Estimate a square footage and draw a housing layout with a bathroom, living area, and bedroom. 
• Decide how many people will live in the space. 
• Calculate a ratio of sq foot/person.
• Estimate the housing cost for one of these spaces.
• Would you be willing to give up a traditional home that has about 400-700 sq. foot/person for the alternative you chose in the previous question.  Why or why not?
• Decide the ideal ratio of square footage/person for an environmentally-aware person.   THIS WILL BE YOUR CLAIM.
• As you head into the future, population keeps growing, and energy needs must shift away from a carbon-based heating system.  
• Sketch a box that meets this ratio that you made in the claim.
• Decide what combination of wind/solar/geothermal as a heating mechanism.
• Detail the insulation you will utilize, telling me the R-value needed.
• Show the location of windows and doors relative to N-S-E-W alignment.
• THIS IS YOUR EVIDENCE
• Reflect on how this house would be different or similar to the house you live in right now.  This will be your REASONING.

Turn this in before you leave, along with your reference list.