top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

France’s first low-cost 'flat pack' wooden house under construction

The eco-friendly home can be assembled in less than two weeks and is put together piece by piece, much like historical timber-frame homes in Alsace

Flat-pack home being constructed. France’s first low-cost 'flat pack' wooden house under construction

The home comes in different sizes and costs €1,000 per square metre Pic: Baticos / Facebook

France’s first foldable house is under construction and will take less than two weeks to complete from start to finish.

The 75m2 home is made of acacia wood from a sustainable forest in Austria. The construction process is so fast as different sections of the home come pre-made, with the roof attached.

The home is built by piecing sections of the construction together, a process that has parallels with the the timber frame homes historically built in Alsace.

Valery Meyer, owner of the home which is being constructed in Blotzheim, near Mulhouse, Haut-Rhin, told FranceInfo: “It’s basically the same principle as for timber-frame homes, where you can take off the rendering and reuse the frame to put the building up elsewhere.”

Homes are environmental and cost-effective 

Ms Meyer said the home’s eco-friendly credentials encouraged her to buy it. As well as being made of sustainable materials, the structure is anchored by large stakes – a more eco-friendly choice than a large concrete slab.

Potential clients also find the cost appealing. The foldable home is priced at €1,000 per square metre. One passer-by said: “You can’t find that anywhere else.”

The construction is fully insulated, comes with a double heat pump, and has the optional add-ons of a patio, balcony or a fully glass wall on one side.

It was made by Baticos, a specialist wood company based in the Alps, which hopes to make the structures available throughout France.

The original design was produced by Italian architectural company A-Frame, for use after emergencies such as earthquakes.

Related stories

'I built my A-frame home in France for €35,000'

Help for replacing an old oil boiler with a heat pump in France?

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France