What's It Cost?

So we've explored how much it would be to live in the GaiaShip (cheaper than the average)....

We've explored how the money would be made by the lender's/investors ($624 Billion in interest payments to lendor at the last count). I've even explored marketing, and business plans to get this done.

But I haven't looked at how much it actually costs. Kinda fundamental don't ya know!?

Yeah I know - problem is... I don't know!

I don't have any frakin clue as to how much it would take to build this place. The panelized building techniques say $25 per square foot is cool - but is that real? My buddy who used to run his Dad's architecture firm says millions. OK, millions; but that could be 2 million... or 200 million or even 2000 million. What's it really gonna be?

So I dedicated some of my spare time (thank goodness for summer break) to reading up on interesting sites what it would cost. Wood is apparently much cheaper as a structual building material; but has been hampered by code and questions of reliability in an earthquake. Well, with wood being tested like this earthquake testing of 6 story wood building and new and improved fastening systems like this UBER NAIL, wood looks like a pretty good bet for cheap construction.

But I'll admit to a bias towards steel and concrete. Why? Primarily because I believe the thermal mass that these materials lend to a structure will more than offset their carbon footprints in the long haul. In case you didn't know - concrete apparently is being badmouthed because the generation of CO2 when it's formed is very high. Enter stage right - better forms of concrete!! Concrete can be dense, light, even translucent. It can be turned into surfaces that never need painting and in general; when exposed to the elements will last longer than wood. In fact; properly protected and maintained concrete lasts for thousands of years - just look to the roman empire. It was built on concrete.

But all that aside - concrete is more expensive than wood...

So, we form the external shell and structural supports with concrete, brick & steel, and fill in the living spaces and internal walls with simple wood forms made in our panel factory. Best of both worlds!

We still haven't determined how much this stuff costs; and unfortunatly I don't have an answer right now... but I'm in the market for a consultant. Perhaps once found, they can help me get a better idea.