Re: 80s "Xanadu" Futuristic Homes Now All Gone

On 3/18/24 12:08 AM, Marika wrote:
> 68g.1509 <[email protected]> wrote:
>> https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13110535/Do-Xanadu-Houses-series-early-computerised-houses-built-survive.html
>>
>> The Xanadu Houses were experimental homes designed to showcase
>> new building technology and automation in the home. They were
>> built in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; Kissimmee, Florida; and
>> Gatlinburg, Tennessee. None survive.
>>
>> Xanadu was the brainchild of Bob Masters, a pioneer of rigid
>> insulation as a building material. He created a system of
>> giant balloons covered with polyurethane foam, which was
>> then allowed to harden, forming a series of domed structures.
>>
>> The rooms were controlled by Commodore computers. The kitchen
>> featured an 'autochef', an electronic dietitian that planned
>> and produced balanced meals and featured concepts such as
>> teleshopping, CCTV and a health-monitoring system. Unfortunately,
>> these ideas were way ahead of the technology, leaving visitors
>> unimpressed.
>>
>> . . .
>>
>>    The Commodore-64 didn't even come out until 1982,
>>    so these must have been the PET, mostly text-based,
>>    computers. Still seemed "futuristic" in the early
>>    80s though.
>>
>>    The odd-looking foam-over-mesh construction really
>>    ain't bad. They're fairly strong, although you have
>>    to be careful about the exact foam mix or they'll
>>    stiffen and turn to powder after awhile. Sprayed
>>    concrete over mesh is the more modern solution.
>>
>>    Dome-shaped, extensible, homes DO look weird, but
>>    they ARE viable and fairly cheap/quick to do.
>>    Worth another look in these days of super-expensive
>>    housing.
>>
> 
> Haha! My exact reaction!


   Kind-of delayed commentary, but yea.

   There are two or three kinds of "instant"/cheap homes.
   Foam-over-mesh, sprayed concrete-over-mesh (better), or
   welded together old steel cargo containers (strongest).

   Foam-over IS functional in most locales. Maybe not in
   serious hurricane zones alas.

   Concrete-over is significantly stronger, yet still
   not TOO expensive.

   There was flirtation with geodesic domes ... seen a
   few in my area ... but so far as I've heard they always
   had a LEAKAGE issue, dome roofs are a pain, the seams
   always leak. Urethane-membrane-over-dome ... maybe.

   The AIM is for CHEAP, yet maybe Cat-4 rated.

   Yea, they DO look kinda weird in general - but the
   PRICE ..... plus you can add-on at any time.

   The cargo containers are Cat-5+ fer sure, but they
   ARE a lot of steel and thus kinda expensive and
   there are only SO many "old" ones. I don't think
   new equivs CAN be made for an affordable price,
   too much metal involved.

   And that's the current scene.

   Alas most of the world badly BADLY *NEEDS* quick
   cheap decent housing. Property prices are soon
   to create a new Lords/Serfs class arrangement -
   castles or dung-huts and nothing in-between.
   Let's just say that isn't gonna work out well ...

   Oh yea ... WHAT was with all the "mushroom buildings"
   vision of the late 50s/early-60s ??? I did see some
   "mushroom" houses in Florida on the shore of lake
   Okeechobee ... but after a Cat-3 only like ONE was
   left standing. Structurally UNSAFE design to the max.
   SNAP !!!

   MY old Dream Home ... too old now ... an old civil
   water tower with about 20' of the legs left on.
   Phosphoric then urethane+paint over, stairs and
   elevator. The bottom level could be a swimming
   pool !  :-)   Next up, Atlas missile silo. They
   DO come on the market from time to time.