3 Inspiring Flat Pack Projects of Another Scale

Well, even if you haven't, it's about time you find out that all these flat packs exist. This is the true story behind three of the most remarkable RTA unit projects the magnitude of which is a bit out of the norm. Unusual but yet original and highly efficient, these 3 flat pack project have the potential to make a difference and take the ready to assemble concept to another level.
 

1. Have you ever thought about what a flat pack truck would look like?

2. How a ready-to-assemble house is built?

3. Is an entire flat pack bridge even possible?
    

Ox Truck

1. The First Flat Pack Truck in the World

Sir Torquil Norman has proposed this prototype model of a ready to assemble flat pack truck.

The OX

Called the OX, the world's alleged first flat pack truck is reminiscent of a McLaren F1... in that it sports a centre seat. Apart from that it is a fully functional RTA truck with a maximum payload of 2.2 tons for rocks, wood, furniture, etc. and the capacity to seat up to 13 people or carry three pallets. It sure does look like a child's toy, but infact it's purpose is to delivery realiable and affordable tranposrt worldwide.

Setting-up

Designed in the UK with the African continent's needs in mind, the OX flat pack assembly is rather basic but sturdy and inexpensive. The vehicle is Transformer-like, built from a box, formed by its own trailer area. The flat pack is shipped in pieces, packed to fit a regular shipping container For easier maintenance most of its panels are interchangeable from one side to the other. A 2.2-litre diesel engine with a manual transmission power the vehicle and the claim is an OX can be put together by three assemblers in less than 12 hours using only conventional tools. This one simply shouts

“Cut the crap and take my money right now!”
It is that good. And it gets better.

In theory the OX's flat pack assembly should take just over 5 hours to create. Six OXs, including engines and transmissions, can then fit into a standard 40-ft cargo container and be shipped away. Many farmers started drooling at this RTA project. However, rumour has it it's likely that the sun will shine upon them too.

The knock down advantages include the number of parts, such as easy to assemble doors, that can be bolted to either side of the vehicle. Its front windscreen is montaged of three panes, making disassembly and repairs less costly, while the seats can be dismantled and used as ramps to get heavier inventory to the back storage. Would you need a flat pack assembly and disassembly company? I leave that one up to you.

2. The RTA IKEA House

BoKlok RTA

Pronounced as "book look" or in swedish "smart living" is Ikea's next big thing. Having conquered the worldwide market for affordable ready to assemble home furnishings in the past decade, the Swedish retail giant is on its way to deliver ready to assemble homes themselves. 

Pre-assembled

The IKEA flat pack homes under the BoKlok name actually come pre-assembled. No more than 20% of the assembly work is left for the building site. All construction is carried out under Skanska's watchful eye – the other party in this enterprise. Setting-up is meant to be simple and easy.

No, the regular IKEA assembly service won't work with this one.

The flat pack assembly aspect is in the quality-controlled environment where the prefabricated segments are made and assembled into modules. Just like the ordinary knock-down furniture IKEA is famous for, the fact is the BoKlok houses are manufactured in an industrialized way that supports lean construction. Each and every piece fits.

The RTA houses come with a host of standard features like extra high ceilings, large windows, IKEA kitchens, laminate wood flooring and more. As far as furnishing and fitting goes, well, you simply have to consider IKEA's range of flat packs as well as a good furniture assembly & delivery company. There is no way around it if you choose to live in an IKEA home, is there? In this case booking flat pack assembly is again on the agenda. Just one hint - get more for less by combining the assembly service with collection and delivery.

3. The World's Longest Flat Pack Bridge

Developed at Queens University, Belfast, the longest ever flat pack bridge will stand across a river in Waterlooville, near Portsmouth. And it is expected to last much longer than the average IKEA flat pack furniture. Project overseer Abhey Gupta says at least 300 years! It should be noted that conventional bridges rarely achieve their design life of 120 years.

The flat pack bridge will consist of 17 16-ton pre-cast concrete units which will be craned into position. This is not something particularly new though. The patent for the “Flexiarch” bridge dates back to 2004. Since then, more than 50 such constructions have been installed around the UK.

The flat pack assembly system makes transportation, setting-up and rapid installation simple and easy, like everything should be.

Conclusion:

The concept of ready to assemble units has the potential to literally change the way we live and where we live. Such concept should not be underestimated, simple because in creativity and inovation is where humanity will find peace and salvation.