Flacon Cargo Module: 24-sqm Birch Plywood Micro-Cabin Built Inside a Steel Shipping Container
The Rational Integration project, known as the Flacon Cargo Module, has successfully converted a steel shipping container into a 24-square-meter mobile home within Moscow's 'Derevnya' creative hub, a process that took two and a half months. Architects Evgeny Makarenko and Andris Shneps-Shneppe designed the space, which includes a double bedroom, kitchen, open living area, and a full bathroom equipped with radiant floor heating. The interior showcases second-grade birch plywood, with built-in furniture that optimizes available space. Clean aesthetics are achieved through a hidden mounting system for wall panels, while a large glazed wall leads to a wooden terrace. Makarenko also took on roles as structural engineer and photographer, with consultation from Anton Brazhnikov, Alexander Makarenko, and Mikhail Arutsev. The project was submitted to designboom and edited by Christina Vergopoulou.
Key facts
- The Flacon Cargo Module: Rational Integration measures 24 sqm and is built from a repurposed intermodal steel shipping container
- Architects Evgeny Makarenko and Andris Shneps-Shneppe designed the off-site prefabricated cabin
- Construction was completed in two and a half months
- The unit sits in the 'Derevnya' creative community, an experimental rural settlement established by the Flacon Design Factory team in Moscow, Russia
- Interiors are lined in hand-selected second-grade (BB) birch plywood with a semi-matte lacquer finish
- Wall panels use a hidden mounting system with flush joints and no exposed fasteners
- The layout includes a double bedroom, kitchen, living area with fireplace, full shower room and radiant floor heating
- Evgeny Makarenko was structural engineer and photographer; consultants were Anton Brazhnikov, Alexander Makarenko and Mikhail Arutsev
Entities
Artists
- Evgeny Makarenko
- Andris Shneps-Shneppe
- Anton Brazhnikov
- Alexander Makarenko
- Mikhail Arutsev
- Christina Vergopoulou
Institutions
- Flacon Design Factory
- designboom
Locations
- Moscow
- Russia
- Derevnya