Is there anyone in the world not familiar with what has become known as “flat-pack” technology, thanks to its international masters, IKEA.
Build your own day-bed complete with blanket drawers beneath that expands with a tug into a remarkably comfortable double bed for visitors? Not may years ago, the idea was absurd for all except woodworker hobbiests (think mortise and tenon joints).
Today, thanks to IKEA, anyone with patience, a set of primitive tools (included) and a series of linked diagrams can perform the task.
So how about flat pack affordable housing (some assembly required)? If you’re in North America, it’s possible to dream of it. If you live in Europe, you may well know that IKEA (in partnership with Skanska) already has its fingers in the pie, through a company called Bloklok UK. Here’s a recent example of flat-pack housing technology companies at work. A Blocklok press release provides more info about a housing project that includes social housing: BoKlok UK & VIVID create new modular housing joint venture
So what kind of a future might flat-pack technology have for building truly affordable housing, such as a small rental cottage that this writer’s daughter is considering for the back of her Vancouver Island garden?
The modular housing industry (of which flat-pack technology represents small corner) is booming. But much of its recent thrust around the world has been towards assembling larger multi-home buildings.1
For many, the idea of building future public housing at all is a stretch, let alone green public housing. The private building industry certainly promotes this view as it looks hopefully to governments for handouts in order to build anything that can imaginatively labelled “affordable.” But modular technology is becoming more sophisticated and versatile, and there is cost saving potential is expanding for both for both multi-unit and single-unit dwelling modular construction.
A recent article explores in depth some of the economic potential of modular housing that might be applied to public housing construction. The article could have been written with that focus. It wasn’t.
Instead, it salivates over the possibilities of build-to-rent modular housing that will allow landlords to maximize their profits in the UK’s sorely under-regulated rental market. By all means hold your nose if you believe housing should be a human right and not a commodity. The cost savings are worthy of note, regardless. Read more in pbctoday: How modular construction can realise Build to Rent’s potential
Returning to the inexpensive housing world of back garden ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) in all their glory of names such as grannie flats, etc. Cities and towns everywhere have realized that changing bylaws to allow these units is one way to find urban land for housing when little or none is otherwise available. The potential of this housing form also accords with thinking that low and no income residents might be better integrated into a community in scattered fashion, rather than in mammoth public housing projects.
The problem for individual homeowners considering the income possibilities of a small rental unit at the bottom of the garden is finding the investment capital to build. Portland, Oregon has promoted a low income housing solution by offering to fund the construction of ADU’s in return for rent controls that would make the units truly affordable. Try: Portland’s Ingenious Plan For Creating Tiny Home Landlords: The Movie
Borrowing from a fortuitous nearby funding program might be one solution for inexpensive ADU construction. Could flat-pack housing technology provide another affordable solution?
