Revolutionizing Residential Spaces: The Pocket House

Cristina Menezes' Sustainable and Mobile Design Wins Golden A' Design Award

The Pocket House is a testament to Menezes' vision of sustainable living. The design inspiration stemmed from the need to create an eco-friendly, compact, and mobile living space. The result is a house that not only reduces waste but also promotes sustainability and mobility. The house's construction was swift and efficient, taking only ten days to complete, further emphasizing the benefits of this innovative approach to residential design.

One of the unique properties of the Pocket House is its ability to overcome the feeling of confinement often associated with small spaces. The side walls of the steel container were replaced with glass doors, enhancing ventilation and lighting, and providing a beautiful view of the surrounding garden. The interior design, requested by the owner, was carefully crafted with materials that evoke a sense of nature, all adhering to the principles of sustainability.

The Pocket House's technical specifications are equally impressive. The 40-foot shipping container measures 12.20 m by 2.44 m externally, with a total construction area of 46.80 square meters, including an outdoor deck. Internally, after the addition of the coating, the final measures were 11.80 m by 2.34 m. The use of a single coating, wood, across the floor, wall, and ceiling, further enhances the sense of space and continuity within the house.

Despite the project's success, it was not without its challenges. The design team had to carefully consider the spatial proportions to accommodate a bedroom, bathroom, living room, dining room, and kitchen within the limited space. The selection of finishes and furnishings was also crucial, given the project's limited budget of 55,000 dollars. However, the team's expertise and dedication resulted in a design that not only met but exceeded the client's expectations.

The Pocket House is a shining example of how innovative design can transform old shipping containers into beautiful, sustainable, and mobile homes. It's a testament to the power of design to create solutions that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally friendly and practical. With its Golden A' Design Award, the Pocket House has set a new standard in residential design, proving that small can indeed be beautiful.