Ask HN: Where to find open-source house plans?

Article summary

The article asks about the existence of a database of open-source house plans. The author is looking to build a house and wants to find a collection of freely available plans. Some commenters suggest that open-source house plans may not be readily available due to the complexity and locality of building codes and regulations. Others provide links to websites that offer open-source or free house plans, such as Wikihouse and Open Building Institute.

Main themes

• open-source house plans
• building codes and regulations
• customization and localization
• sustainability and recycled materials
• architecture and design
• technology and innovation
• construction and building management

What commenters say

• Open-source house plans are not readily available due to the complexity and locality of building codes and regulations.
• Some websites, such as Wikihouse and Open Building Institute, offer open-source or free house plans.
• The concept of open-source does not translate well to houses due to the need for customization and adherence to local regulations.
• Using open-source house plans can be problematic due to potential issues with structural soundness and compliance with local building codes.
• Hiring an architect can be beneficial in finding and customizing house plans to suit individual needs and local regulations.
• The use of recycled materials, such as tires, in earthship constructions can be problematic due to potential health and environmental concerns.
• Automatic house plan generators do not exist due to the complexity of generating plans that meet code, pass inspection, and have coherent aesthetics.
• The architecture industry is ripe for disruption through the use of technology, such as automatic drawing and planning tools.