We are certified WikiHouse designers.

Wikihouse is a modular building system that enables high-performance, low-energy, and low embodied carbon structures. The system aims to ensure beautiful, zero-carbon buildings for everyone. Unlike other manufactured building systems, Wikihouse is not produced in a large factory; instead, it is digitally manufactured using CNC by a network of local 'micro-factories.'

Wikihouse is a building system much in the same way that SIPs or even bricks are. This means a particular layout or aesthetic is not dictated by the system, enabling a bespoke design within the parameters of the system.

Wikihouse is best suited for smaller projects, and because it is manufactured to millimetre precision, it can be assembled by almost anyone, making it perfect for self-builders. Although assembly teams are available for those who don't want the hands-on experience. Due to the local manufacturing process, it's possible to get a firm price for the main chassis and frame quickly, unlike more traditional building routes which require liaising with builders to get a price, which quite often won't be fixed.

Wikihouse is an open-source system of modular building construction maintained by Open Systems Lab. Their website www.wikihouse.cc features in-depth knowledge of the system, and the type of projects it's been used on include our own project, The Bide.

A big advantage of the system is that you can get a very accurate figure for the main insulated structure referred to as a “Chassis” early in the process. Current prices advised by Wikihouse are around £400-450 per square metre of internal floor area. There is a cost estimator on their website which can be found here.

Central to the system's philosophy is that it can be assembled by people who don’t have traditional building skills, though you are still likely to need some more conventional trade skills for foundations, roofing, and services.

A further list of FAQs can be found on the Wikihouse website.

WikiHouse elements are designed to meet standard building codes and residential load requirements. Most high-quality plywood products have a guaranteed design life of 60 years. However, just like traditional timber-framed cottages that have stood for centuries, if the structure is kept dry and protected from insects through proper cladding and maintenance, there is no reason the wood should not last for generations.

WikiHouse is a lightweight system, which gives you flexibility. It fixes down onto timber 'rails' that must be level. We often recommend helical screw piles because they are low-carbon, concrete-free, and can be installed quickly. However, the system can also be adapted for conventional trench foundations or insulated concrete slabs. Because the building is light, foundations must be designed by a structural engineer to "hold the building down" against wind uplift as well as support its weight.

Like any timber-frame building, a WikiHouse must be designed with proper fire safety measures. The "chassis" (the plywood frame) is typically protected internally using fire-rated plasterboard or non-toxic fire-retardant coatings. When designed correctly, a WikiHouse meets all UK building regulation requirements for fire safety.

The current system is optimized for small to medium-scale buildings and can comfortably be used for structures up to 3 storeys high. For larger-scale commercial developments or taller apartment blocks, different mass-timber systems (like CLT) may be more appropriate. Within those 3 storeys, however, the system is incredibly flexible for everything from garden studios to full-sized family homes.

Many clients love the aesthetic of the raw plywood. While we generally recommend a layer of plasterboard for fire protection and to house a vapour barrier (essential for airtightness), it is possible to achieve an exposed timber look. This can be done by using fire-retardant clear coats or by adding a decorative non-structural ply lining over the internal services layer. We can discuss these design options during the space planning phase.