This tiny house designed by Dutch firm Fiction Factory is made out of a very unusual material: cardboard. Called the Wikkelhouse—which is Dutch for “wrapping paper”—the space features layers upon layers of cardboard superglued together to create a sturdy structure. Most surprisingly, however, the architects behind Wikkelhouse predict it will last for some 100 years.
Completely modular, homeowners can design the Wikkelhouse according to their own unique needs, such as adding segments to make the space larger, or installing a full kitchen or bathroom. This adaptability means the Wikkelhouse is equally adept as a weekend retreat, guest house, office space, or even a beachside cottage. And there’s no need to worry about thunderstorms or roving tides turning your home into a soggy mess: the corrugated cardboard is wrapped in a waterproof film and wood panelling that protects it from all weather conditions.
“Wikkelhouse is what you get when an everyday material finds a groundbreaking purpose,” say the designers. After four years of research and experimenting with construction technology, the designers built a rotating house-shaped mould. Each module consists of 24 layers of corrugated cardboard that are wrapped around the mould and glued together with an eco-friendly adhesive.
Since the Wikkelhouse comprises a series of modules that easily connect, homeowners can make their space as long or short as they’d like by simply adding more segments. In this version, there’s a compact kitchen with open shelving and a dining area.
A wood-burning stove provides a place to boil water as well as heat the house in the colder months. The walls and floors are clad in plywood panelling that give the space a Scandi-cool look.
Since each Wikkelhouse is tailored according to your preference, homeowners can choose the placement of windows, the finishes, and the colour scheme.
Made from recyclable materials, Wikkelhouse is three times more sustainable than your average house. And since each module weighs around 1,100 pounds each, the house doesn’t need a foundation. This means your house can be tucked away in the middle of the woods, on a beach, or on idyllic rural land. The designers are currently working on an off-grid version.
All Wikkelhouses are made in a warehouse in Amsterdam. Once the modules are transported to the location, it only takes around one to two days to actually build the house. Each module costs around $4,500 USD, while a full home will set you back around $80,000 USD. While that number seems high for a cardboard home, the Wikkelhouse has one big advantage over a traditional house. If you want a change of scenery, simply disconnect the modules and move to a new location.
