Architecture

Hivehaus flat-packed honeycomb home could be the bee's knees

Hivehaus flat-packed honeycomb home could be the bee's knees
Taking inspiration from a bee's honeycomb, the Hivehaus is comprised of as many or as few cells as the owner desires
Taking inspiration from a bee's honeycomb, the Hivehaus is comprised of as many or as few cells as the owner desires
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Each Hivehaus cell provides 9.3 sq m (100 sq ft) of floor space
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Each Hivehaus cell provides 9.3 sq m (100 sq ft) of floor space
Optional extras for the Hivehaus include additional windows and skylights, exterior decking and kitchen
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Optional extras for the Hivehaus include additional windows and skylights, exterior decking and kitchen
Floor and walls made of 100 mm (3.93 in) insulated timber frames with primed MDF for the internal panels and OSB on the outer
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Floor and walls made of 100 mm (3.93 in) insulated timber frames with primed MDF for the internal panels and OSB on the outer
Taking inspiration from a bee's honeycomb, the Hivehaus is comprised of as many or as few cells as the owner desires
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Taking inspiration from a bee's honeycomb, the Hivehaus is comprised of as many or as few cells as the owner desires
The cells are fitted with with double- or triple-glazed black uPVC aluminum composite doors and windows
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The cells are fitted with with double- or triple-glazed black uPVC aluminum composite doors and windows
Off-grid power solutions including solar panels are available along with composting toilets and rainwater harvesting
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Off-grid power solutions including solar panels are available along with composting toilets and rainwater harvesting
The cells are entirely self-contained and include six LED down lights and four double 240 V electrical sockets
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The cells are entirely self-contained and include six LED down lights and four double 240 V electrical sockets
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Similar to other micro-homes we have looked at, the Hivehaus comes flat-packed, is self-contained and appears relatively easy to build. Taking its name from the honeycomb structures built by bees, Hivehaus is a modular housing system constructed from individual hexagonal cells that can be customized and connected, offering plenty of design flexibility.

Designed by Barry Jackson, the Hivehaus is comprised of as many or as few cells as the owner desires, with the ability to begin with a single-celled space that can be expanded on as required. Each cell provides 9.3 sq m (100 sq ft) of floor space, enclosed by floor and walls made of 100 mm (3.93 in) insulated timber frames with primed medium-density fiberboard (MDF) for the internal panels and Oriented Strand Board (OSB) on the outer.

For insulation, the inner and outer panels are bonded with polyurethane foam, while "powder coated steel facing laminate" on the outside provides a shield from the elements. The cells are fitted with with double- (with the option of triple-) glazed black un-plasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (uPVC) aluminum composite doors and windows.

Optional extras for the Hivehaus include additional windows and skylights, exterior decking and kitchen
Optional extras for the Hivehaus include additional windows and skylights, exterior decking and kitchen

The roof made from glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) fiberglass with polycarbonate dome skylights offers additional natural light. The cells are entirely self-contained and include six LED down lights and four double 240 V electrical sockets. Off-grid power solutions including solar panels are available, along with composting toilets and rainwater harvesting. Optional extras for the Hivehaus include additional windows and skylights, exterior decking, kitchen, heating, such as wood burning stoves, and disabled access.

All of this sits atop a lightweight steel frame which is supported by adjustable zinc-coated steel base jacks – useful for Hivehaus owners building on uneven terrain.

The Hivehaus is currently undergoing product testing and the team expects to begin production in the UK early next year. Pricing is on a cost-per panel style basis, meaning that the final specifications of each cell combined with any add on features will determine the total price of the house.

The following video shows the various components that come together to form each module.

Source: Hivehaus

HIVEHAUS® 3D Graphic

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6 comments
6 comments
BigGoofyGuy
I think that is really neat. I would not mind living there. I think many will find it appealing since it is so customizable.
SeekerFinder
Like it. But how would you handle rain water from the roof?
fenshwey
I love the idea, I am always trying to imagine modular easily expandable and contractable living.
It seems like the ideal way to live, in a small 1 bed place, then expand in a cost affective way with your life
You would need to plan carefully because there are no hallways with this solution, which isnt a problem as long as you remember that during planning. You dont want to have to walk through the kitchen and a bedroom to get to the bathroom for example.
These ideas always shine when combined with intelligent storage solutions.
Mack McDowell
Im still trying to figure out why flat pack homes have not taken off in the US...
JSSFB
I like the modular concept and this is very attractive and functional, with a little thought you could get exactly what you want, leaving one out would leave a lovely interior space. Of course it is not to every ones tastes, but it's versatility means that it can be adapted to suit anyone. I think that this is the best concept I have seen in years,
Free
Hi, Who makes these and for how much? Great concept :-)