UK: Flat-pack villages offer chance to pick up an affordable home [from IKEA]

The Times ^ | 7/18/2007 | Lucy Bannerman

[KarlInOhio]

We can build some here to lure tornadoes away from trailer parks.

[goldstategop]

A modular home. Basically, a home can be mass produced in the factory and then delivered to the site and assembled quickly. That keeps costs down and it shows up in the price when the home is sold.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Fairview]

Of course it would be unthinkable to create affordable housing with any taste, charm, or reference to Britain’s historic architectural forms. Dehumanizing Bauhaus-style ugliness and banality represent the only possible aesthetic.

[bruinbirdman]

"IKEA trash"

yitbos

[mylife]

Next they will be promoting “refrigerator boxes” as progressive housing

[Grizzled Bear]

I could deal with the houses but those gray and black “shadow people” and the translucent automobiles would really freak me out!

[goldstategop]

I disagree. I admire the Bauhaus aesthetic. The simple can be both useful and beautiful. Strip everything down to its bare essentials. It can really make a difference in how people view architecture. This conservative hates bling.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[ikka]

Sorry I would rather have a hovel made out of stone. The problem is not the cost but rather that outrageous building codes and restrictive zoning have prevented people from being able to build their own home.

[DB]

Pretty ugly “home”. They don’t say what the cost is per square foot (or meter).

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

C’mon, ditch Ikea. You KNOW you really want to use prefab log cabins from Cabelas! ;-)

[VeritatisSplendor]

Sears and other manufacturers did make kit homes with taste and charm - would it be too tacky for IKEA to follow their lead, or just too expensive?

Mrs VS

[DB]

I like detailed craftsmanship. Not bling...

[goldstategop]

For me, the classical and timeless always works. It should be fashionable in any century.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[PennsylvaniaMom]

IKEA homes? Kinda like the ‘new-aged’ version of the Sears and Roebuck kit homes of the last century (which by the way were incredibly well built, and still standing today).

[DB]

IKEA made a business out of “less is more”...

[DB]

I totally agree.

Inside and out.

[mylife]

I bet this is more than Bauhaus, I bet its low flow showers and toilets for all!

[posterchild]

When houses are deemed ‘unaffordable’ isn’t the price of the land the main cost driver?

[goldstategop]

The Bauhaus influence is found in Braun appliances and in the lighting of the German lamp manufacturers Tecnolumen and Holtkotter.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus