Architect Alastair Parvin presents a simple but provocative idea: what if, instead of architects creating buildings for those who can afford to commission them, regular citizens could design and build their own houses? The concept is at the heart of Wikihouse, an open source construction kit that means just about anyone can build a house, anywhere. TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more. Find closed captions and translated subtitles in many languages at http://www.ted.com/translate Follow TED news on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tednews Like TED on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TED Subscribe to our channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/TEDtalksDirector

Comments

1. capitalism wont allow it
2. capitalism wont allow it
3. The factory of the
   future will have only two employees, a man and a dog. The man will be
   there to feed the dog. The dog will be there to keep the man from
   touching the equipment.
   
   Warren Bennis
   Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/warrenbenn402360.html
4. This is so horrifically uneducated and presumptuous. I am astounded that a great institution such as TED Talks allowed him to speak. So self-serving and opinionated beyond rationale. There are fair points that he suggests, but his basic economic strategy is so flawed it left me red in the face. Citizens should not design buildings or neighborhoods because they are not educated in the science or art that procures a development. The people we build for are doctors, teachers, lawyers, gas station attendants, soldiers, secretaries, department heads, etc. They are good at what they do. Let us be good at what we do. To call this man a fool would give him a compliment he does not deserve.
5. But then who gets paid?
6. Patents are a problem... any new ideas get patented and locked away from open sourcing.
7. als je een tenten bestaan hebt hups kan je zo verhuizen makie zelfs dan
8. ik vind tenten beter wand hout is waardevol en weinig echt veel hout
9. oke dan minicity
10. kunnen we niet megacity maken
11. Be lazy like a fox.
12. bro
13. No, I don't think the 1% is accurate. Zaha Hadid has a lot of work in China for example, where average people are not earning 24K either. Czech Republic (also not as weathy as the UK) has a Gehry building and I can list these for long. I'm from eastern Europe, so I know that in our culture, we often splash out on expensive and bling bling stuff just to show off. Showing off is part of our culture, even though we can't afford it. So saying that they are building for 1% of the population isn't accurate or credible.
14. Problems - The cost of land on which you can construct and land banking. The 1% either own it or don't won't you to own it, or the banks want a big cut! Time to move then!
15. How would you itemise the design process with many members of the community. 5th Arch student
16. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ityuta-14-The-Jugaad-thinking/347276962096063
17. how will an architect be paid - if at all - in the open-source process? 
18. Do you happen to realise how ridiculously stupid this sounds. Pushing forward this idea will change NOTHING. I support people being strongly connected to the design and works of their homes. However this doesnt solve Architects working for " the 1%" . Because by working for themselves the people wont need many Architects, and so they will be FORCED to work for "the 1%" in order to earn anything, because not everyone builds homes every day.
19. Democratization of production, Such a great concept, I think this would be beneficial for 3 world countries and It sthg that We "young architect" of 3rd would countries should built on 
20. woww i love this idea