...roof of HDPE plastic, which also forms the material of the flexible under-floor water tanks and the novel kitchen and bathroom 'pods'. Possibly inspired by IKEA, the Cardboard House was conceived as a kit of parts, comprising a flat pack of frames, and infill floor and wall panels. It uses minimal fixings: nylon wing nuts, hand-tightened polyster tape stays and Velcro fastenings. Two people can assemble it, given a spare 6 hours.

The roof covering is a lightweight material that is as transportable as the structure. Similar to a tent fly, the roof fabric assists in holding down the building, providing a diffuse light in the day and a glowing box at night. Water is collected in bladders underneath the floor which double as ballast to hold down the lightweight building. A composting toilet system produces nutrient-rich water for gardening. Low-voltage lighting can be powered using a 12-volt car battery or small photovoltaic cells mounted on the roof framing. It is made from 85% recycled materials, with all materials being 100% recycleable. If it was recycled, the house would save 12 cubic metres of landfill, 39 trees and 30,000 litres of water. Priced at $35,000 AUD.

See the 5 other innovative prefab designs, all with enviro attributes, yet using as their base material - steel, concrete, timber, glass or clay at ::House of the Future [by WM]

See also ::Futureshack and ::Blazona Prefab