A Plywood House in Australia

Dr David Leifer, School of Architecture, The University of Auckland

This paper describes the design and construction of a house based upon the structural properties of plywood. Three particular features incorporated in the design are; the use of a diaphragm floor system; deep plywood box beams; and verandah joists suspended from handrail trusses.

The purpose of the design and construction methodology was the provision of a well designed, low cost, simply built system capable of being constructed by low-skilled sweat equity occupants.

Issue 1 Volume 9