Tiny Houses

Modular tiny house proves there's more to cardboard than packaging

Modular tiny house proves there's more to cardboard than packaging
The Wikkelhouse is available in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, the UK, and Denmark
The Wikkelhouse is available in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, the UK, and Denmark
View 31 Images
The Wikkelhouse (or Wrap House) gets its name from its manufacturing process, which involves 24 layers of cardboard being wrapped around a rotating house mold
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The Wikkelhouse (or Wrap House) gets its name from its manufacturing process, which involves 24 layers of cardboard being wrapped around a rotating house mold
The Wikkelhouse features small porthole like-windows
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The Wikkelhouse features small porthole like-windows
The Wikkelhouse can be used as an office, studio, or tiny home
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The Wikkelhouse can be used as an office, studio, or tiny home
The Wikkelhouse's interior is finished in wood
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The Wikkelhouse's interior is finished in wood
The Wikkelhouse is raised slightly off-the-ground and doesn't require foundations
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The Wikkelhouse is raised slightly off-the-ground and doesn't require foundations
The Wikkelhouse is modular and comes in segments measuring 5 sq m (53 sq ft) that are joined together
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The Wikkelhouse is modular and comes in segments measuring 5 sq m (53 sq ft) that are joined together
The Wikkelhouse takes only a day to assemble on-site
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The Wikkelhouse takes only a day to assemble on-site
The price for the Wikkelhouse starts at €30,000 (roughly US$35,600), not including shipping and assembly
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The price for the Wikkelhouse  starts at €30,000 (roughly US$35,600), not including shipping and assembly
Each Wikkelhouse segment weighs only 500 kg (1,102 lb)
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Each Wikkelhouse segment weighs only 500 kg (1,102 lb)
The Wikkelhouse is available in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, the UK, and Denmark
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The Wikkelhouse is available in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, the UK, and Denmark
The Wikkelhouse is reported to last at least 50 years
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The Wikkelhouse is reported to last at least 50 years
The Wikkelhouse is fronted by generous glazing
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The Wikkelhouse is fronted by generous glazing
The Wikkelhouse can be used as an office, studio, or tiny home
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The Wikkelhouse can be used as an office, studio, or tiny home
The Wikkelhouse is heated by wood-burning stove
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The Wikkelhouse is heated by wood-burning stove 
Inside an empty Wikkelhouse
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Inside an empty Wikkelhouse
The Wikkelhouse's kitchen unit
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The Wikkelhouse's kitchen unit
The Wikkelhouse's kitchenette unit
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The Wikkelhouse's kitchenette unit
The Wikkelhouse's kitchenette and dining area
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The Wikkelhouse's kitchenette and dining area
The price for the Wikkelhouse starts at €30,000 (roughly US$35,600), not including shipping and assembly
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The price for the Wikkelhouse  starts at €30,000 (roughly US$35,600), not including shipping and assembly
The Wikkelhouse is available in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, the UK, and Denmark
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The Wikkelhouse is available in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, the UK, and Denmark
The Wikkelhouse (or Wrap House) gets its name from its manufacturing process, which involves 24 layers of cardboard being wrapped around a rotating house mold
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The Wikkelhouse (or Wrap House) gets its name from its manufacturing process, which involves 24 layers of cardboard being wrapped around a rotating house mold
The Wikkelhouse (or Wrap House) gets its name from its manufacturing process, which involves 24 layers of cardboard being wrapped around a rotating house mold
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The Wikkelhouse (or Wrap House) gets its name from its manufacturing process, which involves 24 layers of cardboard being wrapped around a rotating house mold
The Wikkelhouse's manufacturing process
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The Wikkelhouse's manufacturing process
The Wikkelhouse's manufacturing process
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The Wikkelhouse's manufacturing process
The Wikkelhouse's manufacturing process
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The Wikkelhouse's manufacturing process
The Wikkelhouse's manufacturing process
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The Wikkelhouse's manufacturing process
The Wikkelhouse being installed
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The Wikkelhouse being installed
The Wikkelhouse is modular and comes in segments measuring 5 sq m (53 sq ft) that are joined together
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The Wikkelhouse is modular and comes in segments measuring 5 sq m (53 sq ft) that are joined together
The Wikkelhouse being installed
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The Wikkelhouse being installed
The Wikkelhouse is lightweight for ease of transport
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The Wikkelhouse is lightweight for ease of transport
The Wikkelhouse's manufacturing process
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The Wikkelhouse's manufacturing process
View gallery - 31 images

Cardboard is surprisingly hard-wearing stuff and, besides packaging, has been used for such varied projects as a bike helmet, prototype bicycle, and a guitar. Amsterdam-based furniture company Fiction Factory recently released a novel modular tiny house built from cardboard that can be assembled in just a day and comes in multiple sizes and configurations.

The Wikkelhouse (roughly translated as Wrap House) derives its name from its novel manufacturing process, which involves 24 layers of cardboard being wrapped around a rotating house-shaped mold, then finished in a waterproof foil and wooden cladding.

The prefabricated dwelling is modular and made from multiple segments measuring 5 sq m (53 sq ft) each. So, if you want it to serve as a home office you might use three basic segments, or if it's going to be used as a weekend cabin, you'd make sure to add the "Home" segment which comes pre-installed with a kitchen, shower and bathroom.

Each segment weighs 500 kg (1,102 lb) for ease of transportation and the home requires no foundations, just a place to put it. Assembly is also a breeze and should only take a day on-site.

The Wikkelhouse's kitchenette and dining area
The Wikkelhouse's kitchenette and dining area

The example Wikkelhouse pictured looks like it would make for an attractive weekend cabin or vacation home and its single-floor layout includes generous glazing at the front and rear, some porthole windows on the sides, a wood-burning stove, kitchen and dining area, and a bathroom. Fiction Factory can also provide any furniture required at cost.

There are some concerns with a cardboard house. The lack of added insulation means occupants rely solely on the insulating properties of the cardboard to keep warm. Fiction Factory told us that the insulation performance falls a little short of Holland's standards but is adequate.

The other big worry with living in a cardboard house would be durability, and on this note we were told it should last at least 50 years (a good deal more than the temporary Nido House). As for fire safety, it's described as fire-resistant, not fire-proof, and comes with fire detector and extinguisher.

The Wikkelhouse's run from grid-based power as standard but off-grid capability, such as solar panels and composting toilet, can be added at extra cost.

Currently, the Wikkelhouse is available in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, the UK, and Denmark. The price starts at €30,000 (roughly US$35,600), not including shipping and assembly. There's currently a three month waiting list.

Source: Wikkelhouse

View gallery - 31 images
3 comments
3 comments
Glenn™
So this seems to be more of a cardboard insulation house.
mikewax
How 'bout we go back and look up EVERY article we've ever seen about tiny houses, look at the pictures and ask "What's wrong with this picture?" i'm getting tired of seeing these promotional photos where people will take a $30k tiny house and plop it down on a plot of land that's obviously worth over $200k. If that was your land, would you buy a tiny house?
Douglas Bennett Rogers
I had an idea for a "Z" fold cardboard structure with cellulose insulation compressed inside and held into a delivery pack with zip ties. When you cut the zip ties it expands into an insulated wall. Sticky back tabs unfold from the ends to connect the sections. The tabs form door and window holes. There are punch holes in the "Z" for conduit. Various coating can be added to the surface.