Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Wednesday, Jul 09, 2025

These New Prefab Shipping Container Homes Can Be Built in Just 99 Days

These New Prefab Shipping Container Homes Can Be Built in Just 99 Days

Proudly made in Mexico, these customizable container homes celebrate local design and environmentally friendly materials.

Starting with a simple question-"What would you do with less"-architects Rodrigo Alegre and Carlos Acosta of STUDIOROCA have devised a groundbreaking line of prefab homes made from repurposed shipping containers. Outfitted with environmentally friendly materials and smart home automation systems, their VMD (Vivienda Minima de Descanso) residences offer a "no-fuss, low-cost building solution."



Constructed from a single repurposed shipping container, the one-bedroom VMD model includes an open-plan kitchenette, a dining area, and living space on one end. A bathroom and storage space are located in the middle, and the bedroom is on the opposite side.



The unit is wrapped in black Hunter Douglass Quadroline aluminum and gray Valchromat Viroc cement-bonded particle board, which is water- and fire-resistant, non-toxic, sound dampening, and thermally insulating.

"Homes usually require maintenance and involve a lot of expenses," says Acosta. "This is what an ‘escape’ is all about—being free of all those hassles of maintaining a second home, but still having a weekend getaway where you really can enjoy your time."

The customizable prefab homes can be constructed in a factory in Mexico in a little over three months, and then installed in just seven days with minimal site impact.



Piso Creativos FSC-certified engineered oak floors line the interiors. A Capital Studio dining table is paired with Dorica dining chairs.



The kitchen cabinets are Emozioni by Helvex MDF with a high-gloss finish. Beneath the microwave is a space to mount a tablet for controlling the home automation system.

Customers can choose from three VMD models: a 320-square-foot one-bedroom unit, a 640-square-foot two-bedroom unit, or a 640-square-foot three-bedroom unit. The base one-bedroom unit is available for a starting price of approximately $49,100-not including site prep and delivery.

Finishes, appliances, and a home automation system are included in all units. Customers can also request add-ons such as an exterior deck and off-grid capability-including a solar rooftop system, rainwater collection, and an incinerator toilet.



To reduce the unit’s environmental impact, the architects have outfitted the VMD with low-flow kitchen and bathroom fixtures by Mexican firm Helvex.



A peek inside the shower, which features Tristone solid surface walls in Snowrange.

The VMD recently debuted at Design Week Mexico in October. A show model was temporarily installed in Mexico City’s Chapultepec Park, and it was entirely furnished with pieces by Mexican designers. In presenting the VMD, the architects have emphasized Mexican design and construction-from the inclusion of local craftspeople for the prefabrication process to the selection of Mexican brands for the eco-friendly finishes and appliances.

Orders for VMD from North and Central America can be placed online through the architects’ newly formed firm, Taller Escape.



The one-bedroom VMD unit will be relocated to Avandaro, Valle de Bravo, a popular weekend destination near Mexico City. The show model will reopen to the public at its new location starting December 18.



"The idea was to include a mix of the most representable Mexican furniture design studios," says Alegre. The bedroom features a wall lamp and bed by STUDIOROCA. Furniture is not included in the sale of VMD.



The compact living area is flanked by floor-to-ceiling glazing to bring the outdoors in. The show unit has been furnished with a Futón Tanoshi sofa, a Bandido Studio coffee table, and a Natural Urbano floor lamp.

"VMD is an invitation to find a balance between daily life and weekend escapes, and come into contact with nature-Mexico is a country famous for its biodiversity and its unparalleled landscapes," reads a statement on Taller Escape’s website.



"The strength and durability of the shipping container structure allows the units to be placed on any terrain that can provide access to a large trailer and crane, and, as no complex foundations are necessary, minimal building permissions are required, thus eliminating time-consuming construction challenges," note the architects.



The one-bedroom VMD unit uses a single repurposed shipping container. The two- and three-bedroom units are built with two repurposed shipping containers.



One-bedroom unit floor plan.



VMD one-bedroom model section

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
AI Raises Alarms Over Long-Term Job Security
Saudi Arabia Maintains Ties with Iran Despite Israel Conflict
Russia Formally Recognizes Taliban Government in Afghanistan
Mediators Edge Closer to Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spies and Arrests Hundreds Amid Post-War Crackdown
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
Iran's Parliament Votes to Suspend Cooperation with Nuclear Watchdog
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
NATO Leaders Endorse Plan for Increased Defence Spending
U.S. Crude Oil Prices Drop Below $65 Amid Market Volatility
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Oman Set to Introduce Personal Income Tax, First in Gulf
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Alleged Mossad Operatives After Sabotage Claims
Trump Praises Iran’s ‘Very Weak’ Response After U.S. Strikes and Presses Israel to Pursue Peace
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
×