why do we build rectangular houses and not round houses?

Question

I mean houses in Europe and America have 4 corners (or more) whereas in Africa Natives build round houses (also in Asia afaik).
Do they have any advantages or disadvantages? Or is one solution cheaper, …?

In: 50

Answer 1

First, it starts with the building materials. Many houses are built out of wood which comes from the trunk of trees which tends to be straight.

Second, the effort and “technology”. Forming straight lines are easy – a string pulled taut is straight. Measuring straight lengths is also easy. Right angles are very easy to form knowing basic quantities (like a 3,4,5 triangle). And cutting and joinery is also simple. Circles, not so much. We can draw circles easily but forming things and making things meet is not easy. With limited human resources, a rectangular house is just much less effort. You have to consider things like window and door openings which are much harder to seal.