Wikihouse makes Smart choice
12 September 2014The Wikihouse 4.0, constructed as part of the London Design Festival, is a prototype that can be built for £50,000 – and it’s a showcase for timber.
The 68m2, two-storey structure outside The Building Centre in London, is made from SmartPly OSB3, while Medite Tricoya Extreme was used for the external window frames.
It is the first open source, digitally manufactured, two-storey house to be built. Plans for the Wikihouse can be downloaded from the internet for free. The aim is to allow anyone to design, download and 'print' CNC-machined houses and components, which can be assembled with minimal skill or training.
Wikihouse 4.0 took a team just eight days to erect, and all the components were manufactered using a form of 3D printing.
For the main frame, 350 18mm SmartPly OSB panels were CNC machine cut and assembled using a numbered kit. The panels interlink, negating the need for bolts, and the final panels are held together with screws.
The prototype house is aimed at creating debate about solutions to the UK's housing crisis. The Wikihouse could also be used to provide shelter in disaster zones.
Wikihouse 4.0 is a collaboration between Arup, The Building Centre and Zero Zero Architects. The London Design Festival runs from September 13-21.
