Wikkelhouse at Stayokay Dordrecht, Netherlands. Photo and ©: Yvonne Witte / Wikkelhouse. Photo used with permission.
This week we take a look at a new style of building available in Europe called a Wikkelhouse.
Wikkelhouse: Wikkelboat in Wijnhaven, Rotterdam, Netherlands. Photo and ©: Yvonne Witte / Wikkelhouse. Photo used with permission.
Wikkelhouse: Wikkelmachine. By Fiction Factory Amsterdam. Photo and ©: Yvonne Witte. Photo used with permission.
Wikkelhouse – Fiction Factory
photo and © Yvonne Witte / Wikkelhouse. Photo used with permission.
Surprisingly, they are made from cardboard! The Wikkelhouses are 100% recyclable, 3 times more sustainable than traditional houses, and last for at least 50 years.
They are lightweight, requiring no foundation and can be placed in 1 day! They are made from a technique developed by Rene Snel which uses cardboard wrapped together in 24 layers and secured with glue. Next, the home is waterproofed and finished with wood. Wikkelen is Dutch for wrapping, which is where the name comes from.
Each Wikkelhouse is made to order. The recipient can choose how large their home will be based on modular segments. Each segment is about 15 feet wide by 11 feet high by 4 feet deep. The interior is also customizable and can include all of the modern amenities such as a full bathroom with a shower and a kitchen. These unique homes have been placed in forests, on rooftops, university campuses, and by the ocean to name a few spots.
The going price today is about $35,500 not including transportation and placement. Currently, Wikkelhouses are only available in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, the U.K., and Denmark. They are not yet available to be shipped or setup in other countries.
Here is a short video showing a Wikkelhouse being placed and assembled.
Click here to read about the small houses of Terunobu Fujimori, a Japanese architectural historian turned architect, they are truly unique!
All photos used with permission.
