Universal World House By Wall AG
The Wall AG recently unveiled a remarkable prefabricated house that is made from recycled paper and can be built for less than $5000. Constructed from an innovative cellulose-based material, the ‘Universal World House’ is light, cheap, well-insulated, and remarkably strong, making it an incredible asset to developing countries, the homeless, and those displaced by disasters.
The modular prefab is constructed from Swisscell, a material made from cellulose extracted from recycled newspaper and cardboard. The material is impregnated with resin and formed into honeycomb walls that provide excellent insulation and offer a a great strength-to-weight ratio.
The process is extremely cheap, and machinery can be easily mobilized to other countries, cutting down on the impact of shipping the homes and providing local manufacturing jobs. Niemöller, its inventor, has stated: ‘From the very beginning, our goal was to create practical, environmentally sustainable, and, most importantly, cheap living quarters for the slums of the Earth.’
‘Retailing for about $5,000 (£3,375), the house is supposed to brighten up Third World shantytowns and provide quick shelter for long-term refugees. The Universal World House can be used almost anywhere: light, easily assembled, environmentally friendly, earthquake-proof and, crucially in the age of recession, a bit of a bargain.
Gerd Niemoeller says that the 36sq m paper house weighs barely 800kg (1,763lb)- lighter than a VW Golf. ‘Without the foundation block, the whole house actually weighs in at about 400kg,’ says the design engineer. It will not, however, simply blow away. The basic material is resin-soaked cellulose recovered from recycled cardboard and newspapers.’
Via: The London Times
what great information and what hopeful news for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised of this world. Thank you!
Just one question, how susceptible is the house to fire?
very intresting project and very intresting material!!! goood!
Interesting, but how water resistant is the house? I live in Latin America where the humidity level is about 100% everyday and with rainshowers 10 months of the year
The construction material is 100% waterresistant. Absolutely no problem for using in high humidity areas.
здравствуйте! очень заинтересовались производством этих домов в России! как приобрести оборудование и техническую документацию? с уважением Сергей.
Hello! very interested in the production of these houses in Russia! how to purchase equipment and technical documentation? with respect Sergei.
we are in need of these type of houses in kenya to settle internally displaced people. please contact to make further dicussion on this issue. thanks Hassan
This must be a solution for Haiti …
what?
I am an architect living in the NW part of the U.S.A.
How may I obtain specifications and structural information about your panel system. May I design using your panels.