If that sounds like a product from Ikea to you, then you are correct. The name BoKlok means “smart living” in Swedish, and is Ikea’s approach to prefabricated housing. Last month, it received planning permission for 36 dwellings in St. James Village, Gateshead.

Live Smart@Home, a subsidiary of the Home property group, will oversee construction.

Since it started the line with Skanska in 1997, Ikea has built 3,500 of these prefab dwellings through Scandinavia, Norway, and Finland. BoKlok apartments are designed much like the retail giant’s furniture, although not quite flatpack !

Units arrive on site with their interiors already installed; the roof, exterior walls, and plumbing added afterwards. (Just as well considering the queues at Ikea last weekend)

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