The “Wikkelhouse”, a sustainable house made of cardboard, from “Fiction Factory” studio in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is giving a twist to traditional architecture and revolutionizing the construction industry in Europe, both for family homes and corporate buildings
“Dutch experts worked on this design and construction process for four years”, says Monique Wijnands, team member. “The house has a life span of at least 50 years and it is three times more environmentally friendly than any other traditional building ever built before”.
“The idea came from a box of tomatoes”, Monique continues. “Instead of folding boxes for transporting fruits and vegetables, the Dutch company came up with a wrapping mold based on multilayer cardboard, which increased the strength of the box. Based on this use, the idea of building a house with only cardboard came to be,” she explained.
Wikkelhouse is designed and developed by the good people of Fiction Factory, a company of creative makers from Amsterdam. (Photo: Wikkelhouse.com)
The patented system consisting of 24 layers of virgin cardboard —obtained from Scandinavian trees— on a house shaped mold is called Wikkelhouse. The name comes from the Dutch verb “wikkelen” which means “wrapping”.
Wikkelhouse adapts to whatever you want it to be, it grows with you. (Photo: wikkelhouse.com)
The different layers are adhered together with a special adhesive and create a resistant and insulating structure. Each building is finished with an outer shell of wood and aluminum that protects it from the weather. “All materials used in the Wikkelhouse are recycled and environmentally friendly; in addition, production of cardboard has less impact on the planet than cement.”
“The house is 100% recyclable after use”.
With a flexible structure, this five square meters construction is adapted to several needs, it could be a permanent home, an office, or just a functional room or warehouse. Its glass facade closes the interior hermetically.
A three segment Wikkelhouse house, costs less than 25,000 euros (around $27,000 USD), not including transportation or location, and it can be installed in one day.
Since Wikkelhouse is a modular concept the price is based on the configuration of segments needed. You can purchase an airframe Wikkelhouse from EUR 25,000,- (based on 3 segments).
Wikkelhouse dimensions (Image: Wikkelhouse.com)
Can I cook a good meal in my Wikkelhouse? Take a shower? Go to the bathroom?
Yes, yes and yes. Simply add a smart ‘Home’- segment to your Wikkelhouse design. This segment holds all domestic installations and offers you a kitchen, shower and bathroom
What is the size of a Wikkelhouse?
You can make your Wikkelhouse as big as you want, but one segment is 5 m2 (length: 4,5 meters / width: 1,2 meters / height: 3,5 meters).
Wikkelhouse diagram (wikkelhouse.com)
Is Wikkelhouse available worldwide?
Wikkelhouse is currently available in Denmark, Luxembourg, France, Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, and Germany. Cardboard segments are produced in the workshop Fiction Factory in Amsterdam and transported from there to the required location.
Why a waiting list?
We are incredibly grateful for the big demand for Wikkelhouse. However, we currently only build twelve houses each year to make sure you get the quality you deserve. Patience is a virtue!
Wikkelhouse on the beach (Photo: wikkelhouse.com)
Would you like to make an appointment and see Wikkelhouse for yourself? Do you have questions, suggestions, needs or ideas? The good people at Wikkelhouse are looking forward to hearing from you.
Visit: http://www.wikkelhouse.com/
Wikkelhouse
Back-Upstraat 1
1033 NX Amsterdam
Netherlands
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