Planet Money The quest for the factory-built house
22 snips
Apr 21, 2023 
Alec Nevala Lee, author of "Inventor of the Future," dives into the visionary ideas of Buckminster Fuller, particularly his concept of the Dymaxion House. They discuss the outdated methods of home construction in the U.S. and explore the century-long dream of factory-built homes as a solution to rising costs. The conversation highlights Fuller's innovative strategies, the stigmas surrounding factory-built housing, and the modern revival of this concept. Can we really change how we build homes and make them affordable?
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Inefficient Housing Construction
- Houses in America are too expensive, partially due to inefficient building processes.
- Building cars the same way we build houses would be absurdly expensive and slow.
Buckminster Fuller's Dymaxion House
- Buckminster Fuller, after a personal crisis, dedicated himself to mass-producing houses.
- His Dymaxion House, designed in the 1920s, resembled a flying saucer.
Factory-Built Housing Advice
- Consider market timing when launching factory-built houses.
- Avoid overly unconventional designs if you want mass appeal.
