2011-08-28

WikiHouse: Open Source Home Building

WikiHouse – the open source house « Ponoko – Blog
http://blog.ponoko.com/2011/08/25/wikihouse-the-open-source-house
  • WikiHouse is a new project trying to make house construction open source. With WikiHouse anyone could download plans to CNC mill and assemble a house.
Printable homes coming soon, thanks to WikiHouse | Geek.com
http://www.geek.com/articles/geek-pick/printable-homes-coming-soon-thanks-to-wikihouse-20110817
  • Computerization has had a major impact on just about every aspect of manufacturing and fabrication. It’s also led to a democratization of the process, enabling enthusiastic DIYers with a bit of know-how (and a little extra cash in their bank accounts) to create some pretty amazing things with devices like 3D printers, desktop laser cutters, and programmable CNC machines.
  • It’s this last piece of equipment that WikiHouse wants to help you put to good use. The goal of WikiHouse is to allow people to freely download “open source structures” which can be opened and modified using Google Sketchup. The plans’ building components are designed to be milled from 18MM sheets of plywood, and the resulting pieces can be fitted together like a giant puzzle. They’re even labeled during fabrication, making it perhaps a bit more like building an Ikea desk (though that can be puzzling at times). In addition to marking pieces for easy assembly, the CNC will even cut a wooden mallet that can be used to ensure a tight fight between panels.
CNC routing - using CNC routing with ponoko
http://www.ponoko.com/cnc-routing
  • What is CNC routing?

    CNC routing is one of the digital making methods available through Personal Factory.

    CNC (computer numerical control) routing is a type of subtractive manufacturing that carves a digital design file into a sheet of material.
WikiHouse.CC
http://www.wikihouse.cc/index.html
  • Download houses and components which are created and shared by an open community of designers from around the world. Individual parts can be combined or adapted using the free program Google Sketchup.
  • Click 'Make this House' from within Google Sketchup and WikiHouse generates a complete set of milling drawings from your model, which can be used by a CNC cutter to fabricate the house parts.
  • The parts are cut by a CNC mill using locally-sourced material. This is 18mm plywood, in the standard sheet size of 2440mm x 1220mm (8' x 4').
  • Set out the parts for each section onto the ground, assembling it like a double-layered jigsaw. You won't need any power tools.
WikiHouse.CC
http://www.wikihouse.cc/about.html
  • The first WikiHouse will be constructed in South Korea at the Gwangju Design Biennale 2011. We are now looking for architects, furniture designers, product designers, craftsmen, and makers from around the world who are interested in contributing to the WikiHouse process.