Conveying knowledge in mobile tiny houses – with AL-KO VT low-loader chassis
The start-up WoodenValley builds circular tiny houses and offers them as mobile learning spaces where knowledge about sustainability and the circular economy is shared. To ensure they are easy to transport, the organisation opted for a solution using a chassis from AL-KO VT.
Facts about the collaboration between WoodenValley & AL-KO VT
- The concept of WoodenValley is sustainable tiny houses as mobile learning spaces.
- In the tiny houses, different target groups learn more about sustainability and the circular economy. Another aim is the promotion of circular and regenerative architecture.
- Thanks to the low-loader chassis for tiny houses from AL-KO VT and the stabiliser coupling from AL-KO VT, these small buildings are highly versatile and easy to transport.
WoodenValley: sustainable tiny houses with an educational purpose
How a small idea grew into a start-up with big ambitions
When Robert Böker and Kamila Pasko met again at a class reunion, Kamila shared her idea: a small building that serves as a learning space in which the concept of the circular economy, according to Cradle to Cradle, can be experienced by children and young people. Robert, who studied automotive mechatronics at TU Dresden, was instantly enthusiastic. So, the two founded the non-profit organisation WoodenValley GmbH with stewardship ownership in December 2021.
Rethinking sustainable business
Kamila's path to sustainability expertise
Kamila gained her expertise through her degree programmes in Cultural Engineering and Education & Sustainability. She has also been voluntarily involved in the field of sustainability with a focus on the circular economy since 2007. Her travels have helped broaden her knowledge: in countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Canada or Iceland, concepts for regenerative systems are more advanced than in Germany.
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of the Federal Republic of Germany as part of the Innovation programme for business models and pioneering solutions (IGP). The key feature is that WoodenValley pursues a public-benefit business model, meaning that any profits generated are reinvested exclusively for the benefit of society and climate protection.
"The building carries the message"
Robert Böker on WoodenValley
Kamila and Robert are fully committed to their mission. The thinking behind their tiny house: "The building carries the message," says Robert, "all cycles – water, electricity and heat – are tangible within the tiny house. It offers hands-on knowledge. This helps to make these cycles more understandable and tangible, and that for generations to come."
Children and young people experience first-hand how the circular economy and climate-positive construction work – in a practical, interactive and forward-thinking way. Adults also benefit from w∞d.ii: the mobile learning space brings knowledge directly to companies, architecture and planning offices, raising awareness among professionals for circular construction and presenting sustainable solutions.
Goal: Minimising the ecological footprint
AL-KO VT ensures durability
When building the tiny house, all materials used had to be as sustainable as possible – from timber and solar panels to the screws. The building is designed to be circular. This means that everything installed can later be sorted by material type and recycled accordingly. For this reason, adhesives are avoided – screws and nails are the fittings of choice. WoodenValley's clear aim is to use only products that are suitable for reintroduction into the technological or biological cycle. Circular architecture is also about buildings designed to have a climate-positive impact on people and therefore on nature itself.
This fits perfectly with the choice of the AL-KO VT low-loader chassis: decades of experience in the manufacture of high-quality chassis components for trailers and advanced manufacturing concepts provide the basis for exceptional quality and long service life – perfectly in line with WoodenValley's sustainability requirements. “We’re delighted that our chassis enable us to make a difference in terms of sustainability,” says Mircan Ünsal, Product Manager at AL-KO VT.
The collaboration between WoodenValley and AL-KO VT
Together for mobility and educational initiatives
How did the collaboration with AL-KO VT come about? As an enthusiastic camper, Robert's father has been convinced of AL-KO VT products for years. He recommended the chassis to Robert, which is ideally suited for tiny houses.
It quickly became clear that the tiny house needed to be mobile in order to reach different target groups. And a house on wheels needs a solid foundation. The AL-KO Vehicle Technology chassis are the first choice for many small house manufacturers. Robert and Kamila also opted for this reliable and safe chassis. Its modular frame concept enables custom lengths and structure designs. Hot-dip galvanised chassis components provide reliable corrosion protection.
State-of-the-art production technologies also reduce energy consumption along the supply chain. In recent years, AL-KO VT has built up invaluable know-how in working with materials such as steel, aluminium and glass fibre-reinforced plastic. This has resulted in a firm commitment to steel as the material of choice: it offers by far the best CO2 footprint from production to recycling.
Reliable on the road
Enhanced road safety with the stabiliser coupling from AL-KO VT
The AKS stabiliser coupling from AL-KO VT also improves driving safety by significantly reducing snaking movements of the combination of towing vehicle and caravan, reducing dangerous pitching and swaying. This is especially beneficial on winding roads or in strong crosswinds on bridges. Equipped in this way, the tiny house has now covered some 5,000 kilometres on its robust chassis – without any problems.
In the future, WoodenValley intends to order more chassis for their tiny houses. Up to 16 tiny houses are planned, ensuring a presence in every federal state in Germany and helping to spread the message of sustainable building practices nationwide.
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