Richard Rogers' Zip-Up House is an innovative housing concept that sets the standard for sustainable and efficient living. Designed between 1967 and 1969 in response to a competition for innovation in domestic architecture, the Zip-Up House and its subsequent development, Zip-Up 2, represented Rogers' first speculative exploration of the possibilities of modern housing. Although never built, these projects served as a model for the house Rogers built for his parents in Wimbledon.

The design of the Zip-Up House responded to the need for new affordable housing in densely populated urban areas. Rogers sought to create compact, functional living spaces that maximised the use of available land. Inspired by Charles and Ray Eames' house in California (1949), which was designed as a kit of prefabricated parts, Rogers used panels originally intended for refrigerated trucks and windows manufactured for the automotive industry. These elements, sealed with neoprene zips, provide excellent thermal insulation.

Completely prefabricated, the Zip-Up House allows for fast and economical construction with excellent energy efficiency. The components are easy to transport and assemble on site, and the modular design facilitates expansion by adding modules. The interior, with no fixed structural walls, can be adapted to the needs of the occupants, encouraging personalisation and reconfiguration of the space.

A highlight of the Zip-Up House is its ability to minimise running costs. The structural panels used provide seven times the insulation value of a traditional 1970s house. This allows a three-bedroom house to be efficiently heated from a single heat source, resulting in economical energy consumption.

The Zip-Up House represents a significant departure from traditional construction methods. By exploring new design possibilities and using systematised materials, Richard Rogers has created a sustainable and adaptable home. With this proposal, Rogers redefines the concept of affordable housing and offers an innovative model for sustainable and efficient living. The Zip-Up House is presented as a creative response to the urban housing crisis, combining flexibility, efficiency and respect for the environment.