Award-winning Estonian developer Kodasema is launching its revolutionary KODA house to the UK on the BRE Innovation Park. KODA aims to shake up the UK and international property markets by providing a multi-purpose self-build structure that can be used as a city centre home, a lakeside summer house, a cosy café, an office, workshop or studio or even a classroom.
The super-sustainable factory made modular home, which can be erected on site in a day for as little as £150,000, will be present on the BRE’s Innovation Park in Watford for would-be purchasers and those in the construction industry to take in the 25m2 building. KODA has been designed to allow stacking, with multi-storey modules scheduled for release in 2018.
John O’Brien, Associate Director for Construction Innovation said: “The simple yet effective designcould help alleviate the pressures of the housing crisis on local authorities, providing temporary homes or workspaces on empty sites. This trend of short-term use of derelict land, which can be left untouched for years, even during the planning stages, is becoming more common, especially in London. KODA would provide a cost-effective option to house those on the waiting list for affordable accommodation or offer temporary rental apartments for young professionals, students and those looking to downsize.
“On a wider point, it could also be the perfect housing solution for those that move regularly for their jobs and require medium term tenancies in cities across the UK. You could pack your suitcase and move from KODA to KODA and be in a familiar environment in another town or city with all the usual amenities.”
Already in-use across Holland and Estonia, KODA addresses a gap in the market for ‘meanwhile planning’ situations. Using ‘lift and shift’ technology, the building allows easy mobility, creating an effective solution for under-utilised land before it is permanently developed. The structure provides the perfect opportunity for local authorities to provide affordable housing or commercial space on empty sites in key areas.
The open-plan living space features a full-height quadruple-glazed window at the front, providing thermal and acoustic insulation, whilst filling the interiors with natural light. The bathroom and mezzanine bedroom are located at the back of the building for optimal use of space, with a living and dining space to the front, and also a terrace at the front.
Designed to be highly energy-efficient, KODA also features photovoltaic panels to generate energy to reduce its carbon footprint. Key features include:
- Smart home systems (alarm systems, entry system door lock, programmable mood lighting, climate control)
- Thin, vacuum-insulated concrete walls (keeping the building cool in the summer and warm in the winter) and noise insulation
- Innovative LED lighting design while maximising daylight.
The KODA house does not require extensive digging or laying foundations, taking less than a working day to assemble on a chosen site at a minimum cost, and materials can be disassembled and reused easily.
Kodasema is a recent winner of WAN Urban Challenge 2017, a global ideas competition with a focus on London’s housing crisis.