Cardboard is one of the last materials we?d ever expect to offer safe, durable, and weather-resistant housing. It?s pretty much the definition of “flimsy” and the constant butt of jokes about low standards of living. So would you ever imagine that it could represent a more sustainable future for architecture" Hard as it may be to believe, cardboard can be used as the basis for ultra-strong lumber that will last up to 100 years.

The “Wikkelhouse” (which literally translates to “Wrapper House”) is made up of corrugated cardboard that has been glued together with an eco-friendly adhesive, and the construction process is pretty cool. Each house consists of interlocking cardboard segments, each weighing about 1100 pounds (500 kilograms) and measuring about four feet long. Each segment is composed of 24 layers of cardboard and wraps around a house-shaped mold to create a gabled form. The overall house is just under 15 feet (4.5 meters) wide.
These layers of cardboard and glue create a kind of insulation, which in turn is protected by a breathable waterproof film called “Miotex” and covered by wooden cladding boards on the exterior. Inside, the house is lined with plywood for a minimalist but cozy effect, and it’s full of optional built-in features that slot into the frame, including shelves, desks, kitchen counters, and showers. You can add extra segments or change the floor plan whenever you want, making the Wikkelhou...