The rural Republic farmstead

Given the heat most Republic citizens endure for most of the year, the average farmstead is often partially subterranean. The foundation of a given house is dug three to four feet into the ground, and the soil is heaped on top of a sturdy wood and brick frame to insulate the house and help regulate temperatures. Bricks are preferred due to both relative scarcity of lumber in the Republic and the ease with which builders may create the favored doughnut shape; even in the countryside, Republicans pride themselves on the prowess of their civil engineers, and professional house builders are called in more often than citizens are expected to build a house themselves. Lacking an aqueduct in most such communities, a well is dug in the interior garden, and the garden itself is customarily used to grow frivolous or beautiful things, such as herbs or flowers. A kitchen and common area are traditionally placed to the left and right of the entrance respectively, with the back of the house serving as quarters for the farm family. Privacy is at a premium in these smaller dwellings, though most families use screens to cordon off parts of the room for themselves.

Purpose / Function

Farmers remain busy much of the year, despite wheat's relatively short growing season. Rotating crops in other fields is done with religious attention to preserve soil, and many farmers work an additional job when farm duties permit, ranging from smithing to pottery. Many such houses have an attached portion, often exposed but built of brick, to serve as a workshop.

Architecture

Brick walls make up the interior in most houses, with dirt and sod making up the exterior. The interior space is left open, though house construction makes it a simple matter to scale the dwelling if anyone were so inclined.