Affordable / Sustainable Housing

Bermuda certainly has a standard of living that is above most other countries let alone other islands. It's amazing that a 21 square mile island can literally be draped in white roofs everywhere and cram in 65,000 people. The building code currently stipulates that nothing must rise above the steeple in Hamilton and some 3 storey homes are denied permission even though they are in valleys because they don't want the island to appear cluttered with more white roofs over green space. Obviously though, that has already happened. White roofs equally, if not more visible than green space. Stopping people from building an extra storey is ridiculous considering the surroundings and ever growing limited space. Stopping skyscrapers, I can agree with, but the building code desperately needs to be re-evaluated.

Developers, designers, companies and even people building their own private homes need to be rewarded for considering compact living spaces and designs which step out of the typical Bermudian home boundary. I understand that Bermuda has a "style code" so to speak but let's face it, there are a lot of ugly, derelict buildings in Bermuda and to make matters worse, exuberant rents, very little low income housing and even with that, a housing crisis leaving many with no home at all or forever living with parents.

What a disgrace for such a "rich" country. We can provide better! With a little bit of open mindedness, forward thinking and smart design.

Compact Living and Smart Design

The M - CH

"The micro compact home [m-ch] is a lightweight compact dwelling for one or two people. Its compact dimensions of 2.6m cube adapt it to a variety of sites and circumstances, and its functioning spaces of sleeping, working / dining, cooking and hygiene make it suitable for everyday use."

Check the website for extensive design details and future projects.

http://www.microcompacthome.com/company/


Obviously this isn't the perfect solution for Bermuda's housing crisis. Bermuda needs its own solution for our own climate and needs, but this example offers us with proof of how much we can downsize, how little room we actually need and how we can use modular architecture to create communities from combining single dwelling units. There needs to be REAL options for in affordable housing because not everyone needs an ensuite bathroom and 2 bedrooms.




Shipping Container Design
This isn't the perfect solution for Bermuda if combined with Rhino or Scorpion protective coatings. With building code as is, it would be a miracle to get container architecture passed through planning. But WHY?! It can be beautiful, inexpensive, safe, converted and fit into designs not made entirely of containers. It seems to me that since containers remain on job sites, not even bolted to the ground through hurricanes, remaining intact, they could surely withstand a hard hit from the elements. A tree falling will barely dent one. So why shouldn't they meet our building codes requirements? I had heard the building code was getting a revamp but I haven't seen it yet. Nor have I seen a proposal or even a talk of the possibilities for container architecture here in Bermuda.


Abandoned
Extreme design tactics is not the only thing lacking in Bermuda. So many buildings are not maintained by owners, some empty for years, some just entirely unlivable now. It's a crime in itself. There should be a code which has to be followed to maintain the ownership of your property and if you choose not to maintain to a specific standard then your home will be released to be sold by government. Some might say that's unfair but many may say it's unfair to let a home sit derelict for any other reason than family disputing ownership. No house should be empty for more than 6 months. No roof should go unpainted for more than 3 years. We are far to small of an island to allow buildings to disintegrate due to owners who simply refuse to take responsibility for their property and refuse to to sell. Much of the problem lies with family disputes over properties that drag on for years. It is my belief that we allow that to happen by not passing bills that prevent the argument from stringing on.  If there is a family dispute, 2 years should be the maximum time given to come to an agreement, at which point the house must be sold to the government or a private buyer. The money attained from the property can continue to be argued over forever, but at least the property is now free to be inhabited or developed.