IKEA Houses?!

Yup:

http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/architecture/story/0,,2048116,00.html

Sorry, Ikea fans, but that gets a big UGH from  me.

As if they're flat packs weren't enough.

I was hoping the UK had learned its lesson about this type of 'housing' after the whole 'pre-fab' fiasco.

In theory I think it can work.  My Grandparents live in a completely Pre-Fab community in FL and some of the houses being built now are great.  You wouldn't even know they were pre-fab.  But, they live in Hurricane Alley and wanted something inexpensive, so when it blows away, they aren't totally screwed.  They also aren't really expecting a high re-sale value or planning to use this as a way to get on the property ladder.

What is going to happen to these house in 20 years?  Will they be falling down?   Will they be an eyesore?  I would hate to think that someone with a small family would buy one and then not even be able to re-coup costs in a few years.

In theory I think it can work.  My Grandparents live in a completely Pre-Fab community in FL and some of the houses being built now are great. 

It's not the pre-fab aspect that I don't like. Pre-fabs can be ... well, fab! For me, it's just the continued Ikea-ising of the world. Ugh.

Hi!

Above points are all valid of course...   

'IF' this idea works and gets more and more popular, I see more benefits than disadvatages.

Those previously not even able to think about housing will actually have an option to do so, jobs will be created, 2nd tier jobs will be created/increased demand (maintenence, plumbing, decorators, milkmen's rounds, nearby shops etc) communities will be built up and so on.

there are of course drawbacks - hopefully those of the C, H, A, V, variety don't overrun the blocks, noise, longetivity etc. and of course the current 'blandish' looks.

But I think the biggest advantage is that compared to the other ludicrous 'solutions' touted - 5+ salary mortgages, half buy and half rent, buy with a friend etc - this method of building cheaply, offers more potential for more people to actually get on the 1st step of property ownership in the UK. If demand gets closer to supply, wouldn't more of the UK population actually be able to 'progress' than currently ?!

I wonder if they'll build me one so I can plonk it in my back garden ..  and rent it out! 

Cheers! DtM! West London UK!

For me, it's just the continued Ikea-ising of the world. Ugh.

While I'm the first person to admit my love for most things Ikea, I tend to agree with Chary.  Too much is too much.

I'll go along with loving Ikea, but getting beyond that they are Ikea, I just don't find them attractive.  I have to like the look of the house I'm in (I know that may seem silly, but a house really must appeal to me).  Those are just not my style. 

(This is only my opinion and can see that others might really like the look of the house).

I like the houses, but they would have to be on the water on the west coast of Sweden for me! 
Unrelated, the movie Kitchen Stories that they mention in the article is great and I highly recommend it.

Unrelated, the movie Kitchen Stories that they mention in the article is great and I highly recommend it.

It does sound good!

Wow... I can't wait for Ikea cars, Ikea cats, and Ikea subway trains 

It really seems odd to me that they'd expand into houses like this. I can see how this kind of thing could be useful, but I'd be afraid to live in one! Considering a lot of their furniture is made of particle board, what on earth are they using to build these things? What about insulation? They seem rather rickety to me!

These remind me of a few housing developments we have in our area. There are two or three bigger areas of houses, lined up side by side, all identical. I mean exactly alike.  People have taken to painting their doors a different color just so they can tell which one is theirs. 

There are two or three bigger areas of houses, lined up side by side, all identical. I mean exactly alike.  People have taken to painting their doors a different color just so they can tell which one is theirs. 

Wouldn't want to come home late at night drunk! 

I have no problem with this at all. If DH and I stay in the UK, we will struggle to get own our own home. And while something like this is not my ideal home by any stretch, I could definitely live with scandinavian design for a while! I think it's important to note here that this is actually a joint venture betwen Ikea and a builder. I don't see it as Ikea taking over the world so much as Ikea working with builders who see the SERIOUS problems with the housing market today. And frankly, the UK new-build market could use a shake-up because they are just creating more or less new versions of Victorian living (i.e. washers in the kitchen) which don't work with the way people want to live now. Scandinavia is way ahead when it comes to modern home building - the UK and US could benefit from studying what they do.

I've decided that if they are of good quality, and it allows more 'normal' people to actually buy property, then its ok with me!

I was watching the news last night and they were saying that so much of new property goes to investors and others only wanting to make a profit from renting.  So actually there might not be much opportunity for Average Joe's here in London (or elsewhere) to be homeowners.

As I say, as long as they are quality! The designs that they were showing were very stylish and contemporary.  If they don't take over and plop them down everywhere, I think it seems like a good idea.