99% More”

50% of Austin population is low to moderate income, and about 1% is already homeless, and of course, homeless can’t afford a 99k home. In Italy we were (I really hope for this tense to be right) used to be poor, not my generation, but we can see it in our ancient architecture and in neorealism movies. Small, ancient homes, no money, but no one was let alone. I think it was also because of the social interaction favored by the spaces in which they lived, small in small villages, poor in materials, but unique and rich in socializing spaces. Basically, poverty is an outcome of the lack of help. As architects, what we can do, is to try to create the condition for a community, where everyone is happy to help each other’s. All this must be done voluntarily, otherwise it doesn’t work. What we need to create is just the opportunity and optimism will come.

A community, to born, need interactions, and interactions to happen need people with enough self-esteem to act first.  Self-esteem improvement need three key elements:

• More money: a 99k efficient home means less monthly costs for housing, This is just thank to you, well done! (The House is 360.37 ft2 x 250 dollars/ft2 = 90.100 dollars + the additional costs for outdoor space, so the total cost it’s likely to be 98,99999999999K or less)
• Quality Living spaces: 3d printing technology allows to build affordable rich spaces, shaped as in the Renaissance era, where you can’t feel poor;
• Feeling worthful: Here is where we need to start thinking about communities, because you have to help others in order to feel yourself worthful. In this community, about 5-6% should only be a shelter (roof+bathroom+tent+energy) for homeless who in exchange have to work in the community (maintenance, cleaning…) while also earning something. These shelters must be allowed by the community, and its cost (about 30% of a regular unit) will be paid by the latter. Obviously, it’s not mandatory, but imagine, one people accepted by 10/15 families, with a safe place to stay, the possibility to take care of him/her-self, and the opportunity to start a new life.

On the other hand, community needs:

• Relationship spaces: as you know, cities are made by buildings, that shape public space with their absence, function and mutual interaction. So, the house has an extra room, outside, which shape the home in a way that favors mutual interaction and aggregation around public spaces;
• Let community express itself: This is possible thanks to your 3D technology obviously, but also thanks to the project which involves the controlled customization of walls without affecting costs. Those customizations will show the identity of those who live there, while maintaining overall unity. More details in the second phase of the competition.

Ultimately, the magic we’re looking for, isn’t about printing a house, it’s about giving people more opportunities.