Open Source Abodes

Construct an Entire House on the Cheap with WikiHome

Imagine ordering the customized parts for a house, piecing together their lightweight components and erecting the entire frame; this is the basis of WikiHome.

Borrowing the Hawaiian prefix for "quick," the WikiHome brings the evolving open-source philosophy to architecture, a field typically dominated by professional contractors. Simply select a principle design from hundreds of options, "print" the wood frames using a CNC wood cutter and bolt the pieces together. It gets even better: For the brave, Google Sketchup offers the tools to fabricate your own dream house!

Although it's a step away from the entirely 3D-printed homes, the WikiHome makes the hardest part of construction a three-step process. I, for one, know that I won't settle for a cookie cutter house. If the technology hasn't progressed by the time I buy my first permanent residence, I'll settle for a WikiHome.
Trend Themes
1. Open-source Architecture - WikiHome brings the open-source philosophy to architecture, creating disruptive innovation opportunities for affordable, customizable housing.
2. DIY Homebuilding - Using WikiHome's principle designs and CNC wood cutter technology, people can take on the challenge of constructing their own homes, creating disruptive innovation opportunities for the construction industry.
3. Customized House Design - Google Sketchup tools allow for fabricating dream homes with the WikiHome frame, creating disruptive innovation opportunities for architecture and home design industries.
Industry Implications
1. Architecture - The WikiHome concept and CNC wood cutting technology provide opportunities for housing affordability and customization, potentially disrupting the traditional architecture industry.
2. Construction - The WikiHome DIY approach to homebuilding may disrupt the professional contracting industry.
3. Home Design - WikiHome and Google Sketchup offer a new approach to home design which could disrupt the traditional home design industry.

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