Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/como-autoconstruir-tu-vivienda
Are you dreaming of owning your own home but find the cost prohibitive? Or perhaps you’re looking to gain practical skills in construction, repair, or even start a new career path? If so, Coursera’s ‘Cómo autoconstruir tu vivienda’ (How to Self-Build Your Home) course, offered by the prestigious Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), might be exactly what you need.
This comprehensive MOOC breaks down the complex process of building a basic, safe, and economical home into manageable, step-by-step procedures. It’s designed for anyone who wants to take on the challenge of self-building, whether for themselves and their family or as a pathway to self-employment. The course is incredibly practical and equips learners with essential knowledge that is both useful and necessary in today’s world.
The syllabus is thoughtfully structured, guiding you through each critical phase of construction:
* **Arreglo del Terreno (Land Preparation):** This foundational module covers everything from cleaning and optimally siting your house on the plot to correctly delineating boundaries and understanding the proper layout for foundations. You’ll learn about leveling the terrain based on its specific slope and characteristics, and importantly, how to identify and correctly use optimal materials for filling and leveling.
* **Cimientos (Foundations):** Moving on, this section delves into crucial aspects of building a solid base. You’ll learn to identify soil types and quality, understand different foundation types, calculate dimensions for trenches, and plan drainage systems with best practices for installation. It also covers identifying and constructing inspection chambers, building stone foundations, preparing reinforcement for foundation beams, anchoring columns, formwork, pouring concrete, and constructing concrete foundations.
* **Muros (Walls):** Here, the focus shifts to constructing the vertical elements of your home. The module details the process of waterproofing at the base of walls, optimal material choices, and best practices for wall construction. You’ll learn to install columns and construct and place hollow concrete blocks for structural reinforcement. Furthermore, it provides insights into the characteristics and usage considerations for various wall materials, including red bricks, concrete blocks, and polystyrene panels.
* **Mezclas (Mixes):** The final module covered in this overview focuses on the essential components of concrete and mortar. You’ll learn about the composition of concrete and white cement mortar mixes, their specific uses, and correct proportions. Additionally, you’ll understand the purpose of a concrete floor or screed within a home and learn the best practices for its preparation and installation.
**Recommendation:**
‘Cómo autoconstruir tu vivienda’ is an outstanding resource for anyone interested in construction, home improvement, or DIY projects. The clear, step-by-step approach, combined with the expertise of UNAM, makes it accessible even for beginners. While the course is in Spanish, the visual demonstrations and practical nature of the content can still be highly beneficial for non-native speakers who can utilize translation tools or have some basic understanding of the language. It’s a course that empowers you with tangible skills and knowledge, offering a realistic path to potentially building your own home or significantly improving your existing one. Highly recommended!
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/como-autoconstruir-tu-vivienda