Frequently Asked Questions

Just a few helpful tidbits

About the LightForm

What is a LightForm?

LightForm is a house that takes care of all your basic needs, is healthy and accessible to live in, and has the ability to be flexibly deployable and prepared for changes - such as growing and shrinking family size or unexpected events.

How is the LightForm different from other housing alternatives?

The LightForm is designed to make your life easier, safer and healthier, by:
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including systems that ensure you have your basic needs met
being easy to clean
being modular (which means easier repairs, easier to customise, easier to upgrade)
regenerating its local ecosystem

Why is LightForm better than traditional homes like tiny houses or RVs?

The main difference is toxicity levels and durability. Other options often use toxic chemicals (V.O.C.s -otherwise known as volatile organic compounds) in their construction and do not test their air quality to make sure it’s safe. With smaller spaces, air quality is even more important.

Durability is also a major factor, so consider the lifetime of the home when shopping. LightForms are designed to withstand the test of time, and are easily upgradable.

There are also other conveniences to consider, like how well the space is used, if there is enough storage, if you would need to hire an expensive crane or build a foundation, etc. With the LightForm, we have made the process of setting up, moving in and keeping tidy as simple as possible.

I know the LightForm is durable, but what do I do if something breaks?

The LightForm is modular, which means each component can be easily removed and replaced with a new one. You can either do this yourself, or you can go to your local LF studio - the place where your LightForm was made - and have them swap it out for you.

Features and Benefits

What are some of the benefits of LightForms?

Lower your bills
Experience a home that takes care of you. All your basic needs - energy, food, water, and basic waste management, accessibility for ageing/injuries/disabilities - integrated into the home.

Customize, rearrange, & upgrade easily
Experience a home that changes with you. LightForms's modular design allows you to charge, update, and rearrange endlessly - ensuring your space grows and adapts to your life’s needs.

Integration with Nature and Technology
Experience a home that goes anywhere with you. LightForms are designed for those who appreciate nature and the outdoors, while still valuing modern comforts and technology. Imagine waking up to natural sunlight filtering through efficient, well-insulated windows, with a view of your choice – be it mountains, forests, or beaches.

How does this home take care of me?

Accessibility
We all need to be prepared for aging, injuries and impairment, which is why the LightForm is also fully accessible from the ground up and easily upgradable and customisable to meet anyone’s needs. The LightForm works for you, whatever your body type or accessibility level.
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Self cleaning
‍It is designed to be easy and simple to live in and to use with self-cleaning features.
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Food
Our automated aquaponic gardens grow fresh food year round. Modular and expandable, you can grow at any level, from a small herb garden to a fully self sufficient homestead. Sensors manage tank health, soil nutrition, watering, light, and more. All you have to do is sow and pick!

Water
Our flexible water system adapts to your environment. LightForm can be configured to collect rainwater, power a well pump, desalinate seawater, or suck straight out of a lake. Onboard filters ensure your water is always clean and delicious, and onboard tanks provide longterm storage.
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Energy self sufficient
A study by the University of Aberdeen tested our system in various extreme climates worldwide and found that it uses 75% less energy than traditional homes. Moreover, it produces more energy than it consumes, allowing for a completely self-contained energy system in any location.

What climates does the LightForm function in?

Based on a simulation done by the University of Aberdeen, the LightForm systems will work well in even extreme climates. The LightForm is designed to adapt to different weather patterns.

What systems are in the house?

The LightForm house is equipped with essential systems for managing food, water, energy, temperature, and waste. These systems are modular, so they can be removed if necessary. However, removing them might significantly decrease the house's efficiency and could lead to additional costs for connecting the LightForm to external systems.For example, the fish-tank embedded in the floor is a crucial part of the food system. It operates in conjunction with the plants: fish waste nourishes the plants, which in turn purify the water for the fish. This system is automated, requiring minimal effort from you and is designed to be odor-free, ensuring it doesn't affect the main living area. It also guarantees year-round access to fresh food that hasn't been exposed to pesticides or contaminants during transport.

What if I want to remove a system?

If you decide to remove a system, like the water or food production systems, you'll need to install external tanks and other equipment, or connect to municipal resources. While the LightForm is adaptable for both off-grid and mains connections, using main connections can be costly and unreliable, and going off-grid requires the right equipment and expertise, which can be complex and risky.

Customisations and Upgrades

What if I want to change how the LightForm looks?

Easy! The LightForm has snap-on panels that can be swapped out for any of the other options we have in stock as well as any you choose to make at home.

Can I upgrade my LightForm later?

Yes! All of the technology that the Lightform system uses is designed to be both future proof and backwards compatible, and any additions to the home can be completed at your local LF studio.

What if I want to change the size of my LightForm?

If you want to change the size, the LightForm is modular so you can add and remove sections as many times as you like, or click multiple LightForms together.

Logistics and Placement

Can I live in a city? Do I need planning permission?

The answer to this question will depend on your local regulations, the size of LightForm you purchase, your intended use and which systems you have in your LightForm.

There are some LightForms which do not need planning permission at all, and in some areas the foundation of the LightForm makes planning permission easier to get.

Our team is working with local governments to encourage regulation adjustments, in order to make access to sustainable, healthy living easier.

We can work with you to identify what regulations are in place in your desired location before delivery.

What kind of prep work do I need to do?

The Lightform includes its own foundation, so you do not need to build one. The LightForm is able to drive into location, unfold, and raise itself into position. It can do this on any stable ground and even slight slopes.

While the LightForm does not need a pad, we would recommend building a path to your entryway to prevent mud.

Where do I put it if I don't own land?

If you are in Scotland, we will work to connect you with landowners who are eager to host LightForms.

We will also be developing LF villages, where LightForms can hook up to each other to share resources and create community.

If you are anywhere else in the world, encouraging as many people as possible to reserve will help us expand our landowner partnerships and LF villages to your area.

Can the LightForms be delivered, and if so, how?

Our big advantage is the folding mechanism that allows the home to fold down to road legal width. Large versions are similar to a shipping container when folded and can be transported by truck, smaller versions can be fitted with their own wheels and transported as a trailer like a tiny house. Our longterm roadmap includes a version that can drive under it's own power to make transportation as easy as possible.

Technical and Safety Info

Will this work in my climate?

The LightForm is designed to adapt to any climate, from deserts to mountains and everything in between! It uses unique insulation panels and adaptable architecture to keep it at a safe temperature no matter the weather, has a special roof to handle snow and heavy rains, and comes with unique anchoring points to make it resistant to high winds.

It is also prepared for disasters, as it helps you store water in the event of a drought, keeps the lights on when there is a grid failure, raises itself out of nuisance flooding and more.

Does having smart features in my home put my data at risk?

No! We have designed a very secure system that secures all of your personal data on your LightForm itself, making it inaccessible to anyone besides the owner of the LightForm and anyone the owner authorises.

Data will not be accessible to Kionnali, the makers of the LightForm, unless expressly shared for the purposes of repair or refining our weather data.

If you don’t want to use the smart features, no problem! Everything will have a manual override. For example, if you would like to turn on a light without the app, you can easily just flick the lightswitch.

Can you tell me what durability and safety features are included?

Our product is designed with non-toxic, sustainable materials that stand up to daily use. The modular design makes repairs and upgrades straightforward, allowing the home to evolve without losing its strength. Plus, the LightForm is engineered to resist extreme weather like strong winds, heavy rain, and wildfires, offering a sturdy choice for different settings.

We have also designed complex destruction testing which takes into account how different body types would be impacted in different events to ensure we are making the safest decisions that we can.

Key features include:
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Adjustable solar panel roof: Maximizes energy efficiency.
Folding mechanism: Enhances portability and convenience.
Fireproof insulation panels: Increases safety and peace of mind.
Automated fire response for house fires.

Pre-orders and Delivery

What is the current timeline for delivery?

Delivery times vary depending on how quickly we can expand our production. Placing a deposit and encouraging others to do so can help speed up your delivery.

Want yours even earlier? Our alpha program will be opening soon. Contact us to learn more!

What kind of shipping costs are there?

Depending on your location, shipping costs may vary, but due to the unique design of the Lightform System, shipping costs can be reduced significantly.

However, as soon as a local LightFactory is in your area, shipping will be free!

How will billing and financing work?

Early purchasers will need to pay in full. Once we are in production, we will be launching KLS secure, which is a payment platform that will allow you to make one payment to cover all your monthly bills.

Have a disability or are you unhoused? A special program is coming soon to help get homes to those who most need them.

What is a LF Hub and how does this impact me?

LightForms are crafted in small, eco-friendly hubs called LightForm Hubs, which include the LightFactory (where each LightForm is built) and integrated sales and service centers. While you're welcome to order from a hub that's farther away, this may incur additional shipping fees, and you'll be responsible for managing repairs locally.

However, once we receive enough orders from your area, we can establish a local LightForm Hub, reducing shipping costs and simplifying maintenance.

What are next steps?

Reserve your build slot!

First build spots are limited and will be first come first serve.

Reserve your spot in line

Support and Maintenance

What happens if something breaks? How will I get repairs?

For alpha and beta homes, we will be on standby to help with any upgrades and repairs.

If you are not in our alpha or beta program, and you want to further customise or upgrade or anything breaks, your local LightFactory will be happy to help! Rather do it yourself? You will always have the right to repair. You can order components to be shipped to you and do the repair by following along with our instructional videos or request your own maintenance worker to help you out.

How does the reservation work?

By making a refundable reservation, you’re not only securing your spot in the production queue, but you’re also helping us understand demand in your area. Your reservation acts as a commitment-free expression of interest, allowing us to prioritise production and distribution where there is the most interest. You can view the reservation page here.

Can I change my mind later?

Of course! You are under no obligation to purchase. Your pre-order helps us gauge interest and decide where to deliver first. So if you are really excited to get your LightsForm first, make sure a lot of people in your area sign up for our waiting list!

Contact and Visits

I would like to visit you at the office, is that possible?

Yes! If you would like to visit us, just contact us on our contact page or on our instagram. We have open house days where you can reserve a time slot to come visit.

We may occasionally have public events, so sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date!

Reserve your build slot

Three starting points for your build

Starting Price Guide

Our Goal:

To beat your current cost of living with a warmer, brighter, healthier home.

Frequently Asked Questions

About the LightForm

Features and Benefits

Customisations and Upgrades

Logistics and Placement

Technical and Safety Info

Pre-orders and Delivery

Support and Maintenance

Contact and Visits

Three starting points for your build

Starting Price Guide

Our Goal:

To beat your current cost of living with a warmer, brighter, healthier home.

Frequently Asked Questions

About the LightForm

Features and Benefits

Customisations and Upgrades

Logistics and Placement

Technical and Safety Info

Pre-orders and Delivery

Support and Maintenance

Contact and Visits

Share the pre-order page

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