The **WikiHouse Project** is an open-source initiative aimed at making **sustainable, affordable, and customizable housing** accessible to everyone. The project provides a digital platform where users can download and share free, modular designs for building houses using a variety of materials, particularly CNC-machined plywood. WikiHouse’s goal is to democratize construction, allowing communities to build housing quickly, affordably, and with minimal specialized labor. ### Key Features of WikiHouse 1. **Open-Source Construction Plans**: The WikiHouse library includes blueprints for structural components that can be downloaded, customized, and assembled. These designs are typically licensed under Creative Commons, making them free to use and adapt. 2. **CNC Precision and Ease of Assembly**: WikiHouse designs are optimized for CNC (computer numerical control) machines, which can cut precise components from sheets of plywood or other materials. These parts are labeled and fit together like a giant 3D puzzle, which simplifies assembly and minimizes the need for traditional construction skills. 3. **Sustainability and Energy Efficiency**: WikiHouse focuses on sustainable building practices, using materials that are locally available and renewable. The designs are energy-efficient, often incorporating features for insulation and passive heating and cooling. 4. **Community and Collaboration**: The project encourages local communities to engage in building houses together, fostering collaboration and skill-sharing. WikiHouse designs are adaptable, allowing users to modify plans based on climate, culture, and other local needs. 5. **Affordable and Accessible**: By removing the barriers associated with traditional construction—such as expensive materials, specialized labor, and high costs—the WikiHouse Project aims to make housing more accessible to people with limited financial resources. ### How It Works 1. **Download and Customize**: Users start by choosing a design from the WikiHouse library, which can be modified to meet specific requirements or preferences. 2. **Fabricate Parts with CNC Machines**: Once the design is finalized, it’s sent to a CNC machine to cut out parts. CNC machines are increasingly accessible, available at maker spaces and fabrication labs worldwide. 3. **Assemble with Minimal Tools**: The pre-cut parts can be assembled with basic tools, often by people with little to no construction experience. The system typically uses slot-and-tab connections, making assembly intuitive and fast. ### History and Impact WikiHouse was launched in 2011 by architects Alastair Parvin and Nick Ierodiaconou as part of a larger vision to address global housing shortages and construction inefficiencies. It’s since grown into a global network of architects, makers, and housing advocates who continue to contribute to its open-source library. The project has influenced a wave of open-source design and construction, inspiring other similar projects focused on sustainable architecture and community-driven housing solutions. ### Challenges and Future Goals While WikiHouse offers transformative potential, it faces challenges such as regulatory compliance, ensuring structural safety, and access to CNC equipment in some regions. Future goals include expanding the WikiHouse library, developing designs for a wider range of climates and needs, and making CNC machinery and digital fabrication tools even more accessible. WikiHouse embodies a vision of **"housing as a right"** and reflects a shift towards **self-sufficient, community-based construction**. By leveraging open-source principles, it envisions a world where housing scarcity is alleviated through collaborative, sustainable, and decentralized building practices.