S2 E32 Back to Basics: Shelter

Episode discussion topics

• We're on the hunt for solutions and having access to safe, abundant, and sustainable homes is absolutely critical to the survival of our modern society. We need to build homes that are resilient in the face of fire, wind, and water. In some areas, they need to have the flexibility to move with the earth.
• An oldie but a goodie: Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) are a way to build with reinforced concrete quickly, efficiently, and safely. The resulting building is resistant to fire and insulated well enough for someone to survive inside during a wildfire, albeit it's not recommended. After a fire, simply reapply the insulating foam to the outside and paint. The reinforced part helps keep the building from buckling under stress from events like earthquakes. Logix is a company in this space that demonstrates the stark difference of building with ICF.
• Even if you already have a home, there are a lot of things you can do to upgrade the sustainability and resiliency of your current estate. For instance, replacing windows with double pain versions or detaching your garage where you also keep chemicals that are flammable. If you're in a fire-prone area, then replace your roof using metals that won't catch from burning cinders or screening any entrances to prevent cinders from entering through small openings and eves. Builder online has a short article highlighting these and many other fortifications to consider.
• Modular construction techniques are a demonstration in building efficiently at scale and with the ability to offer custom builds. Think of them like legos. FactoryOS is one such company backed by big tech and big construction companies. CNBC offers this short take on some of these players.
• 3D printed homes? Coming soon to a culdesac near you! Check out this Business Insider article featuring one new company taking aim at using a new approach to building sustainably: Mighty Buildings.

Your hosts: Michael V. Piscitelli and Raymond Wong Jr.

More info

• MVP was on a rant about how singular motives, like making a profit in short order, can have a negative effect by warping the moral sensibilities of individuals under the influence of such goals.
  • Many of you may not recall a company that went by Enron - but the internet remembers: When Tough Performance Goals Lead to Cheating.
  • Here's a more science-y article on this subject more generally: Employee incentives can lead to unethical behavior in the workplace from ScienceDaily.
    
  • A more recent example from the world of finance comes from circa 2016 when Wells Fargo settled a Los Angeles lawsuit in regards to sales behavior that was fueled in part by sales goals, here's a Harvard Law piece on this from a corporate governance perspective.
    
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• Graphic design by SergeShop.com.
  
• Intro music sampled from “Okay Class” by Ozzy Jock under creative commons license through freemusicarchive.org.
  
• Other music provided royalty-free through Fesliyan Studios Inc.