The box came along as the architectural standard because many building materials, such as lumber, are straight and flat. Straight vertical columns supported the roofs. Straight lines are rare in nature, so is it any wonder that our cities stand out from nature like sore thumbs? Boxes stack nicely in square grids. Most cities are laid out in square grids.
Using ferro-cement (iron and cement), or nylon-cement (nylon fishnet and cement) one can make domes and tunnels that are functional and esthetically more natural-looking than boxes are. As tunnels and rooms grow on and around each other, the structure starts to look like the nests made by termites.
The same iron rebar framework that supports the cement can support the growth of vines, which provide shade and food here in the tropics. Global warming and an era of agricultural failures may be on its way. Shade and food are good. The trellises can be converted into cement structures later.
Using examples from two houses I have built, this instructable will show how to get started today on a termite nest city of tomorrow.
Using ferro-cement (iron and cement), or nylon-cement (nylon fishnet and cement) one can make domes and tunnels that are functional and esthetically more natural-looking than boxes are. As tunnels and rooms grow on and around each other, the structure starts to look like the nests made by termites.
The same iron rebar framework that supports the cement can support the growth of vines, which provide shade and food here in the tropics. Global warming and an era of agricultural failures may be on its way. Shade and food are good. The trellises can be converted into cement structures later.
Using examples from two houses I have built, this instructable will show how to get started today on a termite nest city of tomorrow.
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1: Materials
To build a termite nest city, you will need a lot of sand and cement. Iron rebar is used to define the basic forms. Chicken wire, or nylon fishnet covers the rebar form and provides a fine enough mesh for plastering with cement. The cement to sand ratio is the standard 1:3 mix used for plastering.
Since iron rusting is a problem with the rebar, longevity is improved by painting the rebar first with a good primer and rust preventative paint. If cost was not a factor, one could use stainless steel, or perhaps something like Cor-ten steel, which forms an oxide coat that protects from further oxidation. It would be ideal to use immortal materials, so that a city could keep growing without ever having to use demolition on the old parts.
The old parts of the city, at the bottom, would be protected from the weather by the younger parts above them, improving their longevity.
Visit Our Store »
Go Pro Today »
As far as alternatives to cement go, no I don't have any. New synthetic materials come along but you can't foresee the future to know what they will be. Right now, cement products often have synthetic additives.
Cheers!
If you would like to try playing with making small scale models, try using a syringe for detailed extrusions. Pet stores have one with a conical plastic nozzle that can be cut to one's preferred extrusion size. Work with it as you might make a clay coil pot, allowing previous layers to harden enough to support new layers.
Sometimes I make arches separately and then incorporate them as supports in the growing model.
I have an instructable in the works on architectural model making with silicone. It is incredible for making all sorts of irregular shapes.