One of the most memorable moments from the new home tour was the question posed by the group after they took turns knocking on a sheet rocked wall. Not an unusual question coming from a people who were ruled by a communist regime for 70-odd years up until just a few years ago. The foreigners were also fascinated with a tradesman installing a stair banister with an airgun, efficiently spitting out nails and staples to put spindles in place for a home's elegant staircase. They had never seen a device that saved so much time and was so powerful for its size. Equally impressive was a climb up to the crawl space of a new home, where the furnace was located.
Heat is supplied by water-filled radiators, and forced air units seem almost futuristic.
The likeness of this uniquely Kyrgyz dwelling now graces the country's newly created flag, not forgetting the legacy and long history of this small area of central Asia. The executives from Eridan in Kyrgystan came away from their tour with a newly found sense of excitement for the future of residential building in their homeland, believing without a doubt that it is possible to provide modest, modern, and affordable homes for the average Kyrgyz citizen. Making that dream come true, however, may rest in our hands, with the offer of American know-how and friendship. A veteran of the homebuilding industry, Dena Amoruso is a recognized real estate columnist and author, specializing in new home issues, trends, products and designs. Click here for a printer-friendly version of this article.