WikiHouse is a non-profit project, developing hardware and software which is open and shared in the commons, owned by everyone. Developed under Creative Commons Zero [CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication]. You can find a link to the license here
Open Source[edit | edit source]
Logistics[edit | edit source]
Standard WikiHouse employs a 900/300mm gauge between profiles in an effort to use as much of a standard 2440x1220 sheet and therefore minimise the amount of waste created. Dependant on the CNC-cutting machine, the board may be cut up to the edge.
Can be fitted in the back of a van and each piece can be carried by one person.
CNC can be put in a shipping container and brought to site for a more efficient construction-flow.
Structure[edit | edit source]
Fins[edit | edit source]
The profile sections of the WikiHouse which give compressional strength. Joints are located away from the corners to reduce areas susceptible to spreading found in traditional construction in which the roof-to-wall joints are forced outwards at the eaves.
The fins can be any profile although straight walls with a mono or dual-pitch roof are recommended for strength.
Gables can be fixed using watertight CNC-cut plugs to hide fixings and give a neat appearance.
Walls[edit | edit source]
Wall panels provide structural sheathing
Roof[edit | edit source]
Flat roofs must be at lease a 5 degree angle to allow run off.
30 degrees is the optimal angle if solar panels are to be installed.
Green roofs possible.
Ventilation[edit | edit source]
Excessive heat build-up below the roof material will cause warping of the plywood sheets. Roof-top ventilation along the ridge (with gable ventilation if appropriate) will avoid this.
Guttering[edit | edit source]
When incorporating a hidden guttering system into the WikiHouse a gradient must be included to ensure that water does not pool at one end of the channel. The channel must extend at least 25mm beyond the roof-line in order to avoid water 'fly-over' i.e. flowing onto the fascia boards, soffits and down the wall of the WikiHouse through surface tension. Water damage can occur in the plywood below if this is not attended to.
A cut-out section to accommodate a round (usually 68mm diameter)or square downpipe can be in the original cutting profile of the rainwater channel.
If Ecosheet is used for these wet details then no further waterproofing is necessary. A strip of duct tape will prevent leakages at the facing edges where the channel panels meet.
Gutter Strainers
To avoid leaves clogging up the downpipe the designer can either create a mesh in the cutting profile or use a propitiatory system such as (1) Wire Ball type, (2) Light-bulb type
Drip-edges
CNC routing a drip-edge into the roof eaves (horizontal bottom edge) and rakes (sloped perimeter edge) stops water from clinging to the roof, allowing water to drop into the gutter.
Shingles[edit | edit source]
In high-wind areas install a starter course of shingles along rakes and eaves for added reinforcement to these exposed areas.
See Tire Shingles
Foundations[edit | edit source]
Ecosheet [1]
Windows[edit | edit source]
Doors[edit | edit source]
Materials[edit | edit source]
Standard Sheet Sizes
UK = 2440x1220 EU = 2500x1200 USA = 4'x8'
18mm structural ply is standard for load-bearing parts. Roofing can be 15mm ply as it only takes the roof load.
Plywood
- Spruce Ply - Good finish, cuts smoothly, around 7 layers
- Birch Ply - Furniture-grade finish, expensive
- Medium-density fibreboard (MDF)
- Chipboard - ?
- Oriented strand board (OSB), also known as Sterling board (UK and Ireland)
Jagged finish, can be sharp, cheap
- Cardboard - ?
- Ecosheet [2]
- Single-ply rubber membrane
Version History[edit | edit source]
See the version map from July '12
- There is a 2013 version but I can't find it --Charlie Fisher 04:03, 16 July 2013 (PDT)
| Version | Image | Name | Innovation | Location | Designers | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| v1.0 | 
|
First Prototype | CNC fab | London | @nick_diaconou @AlastairParvin @Joostbeunderman @indy_johar @jonisteiner | |
| Basic C-series section with a 'studio' profile (full height apex-height opening along one side). | ||||||
| v1.1 | 
|
Gwangju Prototype | First zero bolts prototype | Gwangju, South Korea | @_Beatrice @AlastairParvin @nick_diaconou Steve Fisher Austen Cook | |
| Created for the Gwangju Design Biennale in South Korea. High humidity made the plywood expand making it very difficult to slot together. | ||||||
|
HUB Westminster | London | @lyntonpepper @AlastairParvin @JoniSteiner 00:/ | |||
| A WikiHouse to be used as a meeting space (?) at the HUB Westminster. | ||||||
| v1.2 | 
|
Chelmsford House | Description | Location | Designers | |
| for ???. | ||||||
| v2.0 | 
|
Generic v2.0 | Innovation | Location | ||
| big merged bar along the bottom. | ||||||
|
Milan | Innovation | Location | |||
| big merged bar along the bottom. | ||||||
| v2.1 | 
|
v2.1 | Innovation | Location | ||
| big merged bar along the bottom. | ||||||
| v3.0 | 
|
v3.0 | Innovation | Location | ||
| big merged bar along the bottom. | ||||||
| v3.1 | 
|
v3.1 | Innovation | Location | ||
| big merged bar along the bottom. | ||||||
Projects[edit | edit source]
Single link to an information page
Built[edit | edit source]
- WikiHouse NZ
- Foundhouse
- WikiHouse DET
Unbuilt[edit | edit source]
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
