repurposed shipping container becomes 24-sqm birch plywood micro-cabin

custom BB-grade birch panels with flush joints form an unbroken interior shell, embedding furniture, a fireplace, and concealed storage along a glazed axis that opens directly onto the terrace.

Barros edited by christina vergopoulou October 23, 2026 3 min

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Flacon Cargo Module turns SHIPPING CONTAINER INTO MICRO-CABIN

Designed by architects Evgeny Makarenko and Andris Shneps-Shneppe, this 24-sqm micro-cabin transforms an intermodal steel shipping container into a self-contained, relocatable residential module. Located within the ‘Derevnya’ creative community, an experimental rural settlement established by the Flacon Design Factory team, the project accommodates a double bedroom, kitchen, living area with a fireplace, and a full shower room within a compact footprint.

repurposed shipping container becomes 24-sqm birch plywood micro-cabin - 1 — all images ©Evgeny Makarenko

BIRCH PLYWOOD SHELL INTEGRATES FLUSH JOINERY AND BUILT-IN FURNITURE

The interior is lined in an unbroken shell of hand-selected, second-grade (BB) birch plywood, chosen for its natural grain variations. Built-in furniture, work surfaces, and concealed storage integrate directly into the wall and ceiling planes to leave the central circulation path clear. Wall panels are installed using a hidden mounting system with flush joints, eliminating exposed fasteners and hardware to reduce visual clutter. A semi-matte lacquer finish reflects natural light entering through an expansive glazed end-wall, which connects the indoor living space directly to an outdoor wooden terrace. Fitted with radiant floor heating, the off-site prefabricated cabin, designed by the collaborative team between architects Evgeny Makarenko and Andris Shneps-Shneppe, was completed in two and a half months.

repurposed shipping container becomes 24-sqm birch plywood micro-cabin - 2 — the 24-sqm micro-cabin is converted from an intermodal steel freight container

repurposed shipping container becomes 24-sqm birch plywood micro-cabin - 3 — the unit is engineered as a self-contained, relocatable home that can be transported between sites

flacon-cargo-module-24-sqm-micro-cabin-steel-shipping-container-designboom-1800-2 — the exterior retains the industrial corrugated steel profile of the original shipping container

repurposed shipping container becomes 24-sqm birch plywood micro-cabin - 4 — the interior is lined with hand-selected BB-grade birch plywood panels

repurposed shipping container becomes 24-sqm birch plywood micro-cabin - 5 — a semi-matte lacquer finish highlights the natural grain of the birch plywood surfaces

flacon-cargo-module-24-sqm-micro-cabin-steel-shipping-container-designboom-1800-3 — the open-plan living area includes a compact fireplace and integrated seating

repurposed shipping container becomes 24-sqm birch plywood micro-cabin - 6 — a double bedroom occupies the rear section of the shipping container layout

repurposed shipping container becomes 24-sqm birch plywood micro-cabin - 7 — large glazed openings connect the interior living zone with the surrounding landscape

repurposed shipping container becomes 24-sqm birch plywood micro-cabin - 8 — the kitchen module is built flush into the plywood perimeter wall

repurposed shipping container becomes 24-sqm birch plywood micro-cabin - 9 — before

project info:

name: The Flacon Cargo Module: Rational Integration
architects: Andris Shneps-Shneppe | @andrisshnepsshneppe, Evgeny Makarenko

location: ’Derevnya’ Creative Community by Flacon Design Factory, Moscow, Russia

area: 24 sqm

structural engineer: Evgeny Makarenko

consultants: Anton Brazhnikov, Alexander Makarenko, Mikhail Arutsev

support: Mikhail Arutsev

photographer: Evgeny Makarenko

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