Franceschi Container Houses
Santa Ana
DAO and Re Arquitectura
DESIGNER: DAO and Re Arquitectura BUILDER: DAO and Re Arquitectura BUILD DATE: 2017
LOCATION: Santa Ana, California PHOTO CREDITS: Re Arquitectura RATING: 3 Stars
The Franceschi Container Houses project is an innovative take on urban housing, demonstrating how repurposed shipping containers can provide modern, efficient, and sustainable living solutions. Designed and built by DAO and Re Arquitectura, this residential development reimagines traditional home construction by utilising modular elements that minimise environmental impact while maximising functionality.
Build Method
The homes are constructed using multiple High Cube shipping containers, arranged to create multi-level living spaces with a compact yet airy design. The stacked containers allow for vertical expansion while maintaining a small footprint, making the design well-suited for urban environments.
Large floor-to-ceiling windows flood the interiors with natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. The interiors feature a warm and contemporary aesthetic, combining timber panelling, polished concrete floors, and minimalist fixtures to create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere.
Outdoor terraces and balconies extend the living spaces, providing residents with private outdoor retreats while enhancing natural ventilation. Sustainable features such as rainwater collection, solar panels, and energy-efficient insulation further enhance the eco-friendly nature of the project.
Interbode Thoughts
The Franceschi Container Houses showcase the potential of cargotecture as a sustainable and stylish solution for modern urban living. The modular approach allows for flexibility in design, making it a practical model for housing developments in cities facing space constraints.
We appreciate the thoughtful integration of natural light and ventilation, as well as the balance between industrial and organic materials. This project proves that shipping container architecture isn’t just about repurposing materials—it’s about creating smart, adaptable homes that align with contemporary lifestyle needs.
FRANCESCHI cONTAINER hOUSES dESIGN
BUILD OR BUY
VIEW Design & Build Plans
1 BED | 1 KIT | 1 BATH - Dimensions W x D x H
View. Designed for sites with decent gradients but equally at home on level land, 1 x 40ft (12) and 2 × 20ft (6m) shipping containers are combined in a perfect union to create the feel of an amply proportioned 1 Bedroom home or holiday getaway.
Download detailed plans for VIEW which include the following drawings in A3:
DRAWINGS SCHEDULES
PROJECT NOTES
FLOOR PLAN
REFLECTED CEILING
ROOF PLAN
ELEVATIONS
SECTIONS
INTERNAL ELEVATIONS
TYPICAL DETAILS
KITCHEN DRAWINGS
JOINERY DRAWINGS
BATHROOM DRAWINGS
ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS
WINDOW SCHEDULES
LIGHTING PLAN
POWER & SWITCHES PLAN
ELECTRICAL SCHEMATICS
FIXTURES & FINISHES SCHEDULE
Bespoke plans or amendments are also available from Interbode’s Design Studio. Contact Us: https://www.interbode.com
Notes:
Whilst detailed, this document is not for construction and is not intended to be compliant with all council or building regulations in your country or state. Prior to commencing build you should engage a suitable architect/drafts person and a qualified engineer.
All plans are copyright of Interbode Pty Ltd and Boxwood Construction Pty Ltd.
Stack2 Design & Build Plans
2 BED | 1 KIT | 1 BATH - Dimensions W x D x H
Stack2. Designed for sites with gradients, 2x 40ft (12m) and 2 × 20ft (6m) shipping containers are combined in an ode to the Grillagh Water House. Click link.
Download detailed plans for Stack2 which include the following drawings in A3:
DRAWINGS SCHEDULES
PROJECT NOTES
FLOOR PLAN
REFLECTED CEILING
ROOF PLAN
ELEVATIONS
SECTIONS
INTERNAL ELEVATIONS
TYPICAL DETAILS
KITCHEN DRAWINGS
JOINERY DRAWINGS
BATHROOM DRAWINGS
ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS
WINDOW SCHEDULES
LIGHTING PLAN
POWER & SWITCHES PLAN
ELECTRICAL SCHEMATICS
FIXTURES & FINISHES SCHEDULE
Bespoke plans or amendments are also available from Interbode’s Design Studio. Contact Us: https://www.interbode.com
Notes:
Whilst detailed, this document is not for construction and is not intended to be compliant with all council or building regulations in your country or state. Prior to commencing build you should engage a suitable architect/drafts person and a qualified engineer.
All plans are copyright of Interbode Pty Ltd and Boxwood Construction Pty Ltd.
BOX Design & Build Plans
1 BED | 1 KIT | 1 BATH - Dimensions W x D x H
BOX is a double unit 2X 12M (20ft) High Cube Shipping containers design suitable for a single small cabin use complete with kitchenette and bathroom in both Grid and Off Grid configurations and with 1 Solar roof option.
Download detailed plans for BOX which include the following drawings in A3:
DRAWINGS SCHEDULES
PROJECT NOTES
FLOOR PLAN
REFLECTED CEILING
ROOF PLAN
ELEVATIONS
SECTIONS
INTERNAL ELEVATIONS
TYPICAL DETAILS
KITCHEN DRAWINGS
JOINERY DRAWINGS
BATHROOM DRAWINGS
ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS
WINDOW SCHEDULES
LIGHTING PLAN
POWER & SWITCHES PLAN
ELECTRICAL SCHEMATICS
FIXTURES & FINISHES SCHEDULE
Bespoke plans or amendments are also available from Interbode’s Design Studio. Contact Us: https://www.interbode.com
Notes:
Whilst detailed, this document is not for construction and is not intended to be compliant with all council or building regulations in your country or state. Prior to commencing build you should engage a suitable architect/drafts person and a qualified engineer.
All plans are copyright of Interbode Pty Ltd and Boxwood Construction Pty Ltd.
HELI Design & Build Plans
1 BED | 1 KIT | 1 BATH - Dimensions W x D x H
Heli is a double unit 2X 12M (20ft) High Cube Shipping containers design suitable for flat sites/site needing to elevate in order to obtain views.
Download detailed plans for HELI which include the following drawings in A3:
DRAWINGS SCHEDULES
PROJECT NOTES
FLOOR PLAN
REFLECTED CEILING
ROOF PLAN
ELEVATIONS
SECTIONS
INTERNAL ELEVATIONS
TYPICAL DETAILS
KITCHEN DRAWINGS
JOINERY DRAWINGS
BATHROOM DRAWINGS
ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS
WINDOW SCHEDULES
LIGHTING PLAN
POWER & SWITCHES PLAN
ELECTRICAL SCHEMATICS
FIXTURES & FINISHES SCHEDULE
Bespoke plans or amendments are also available from Interbode’s Design Studio. Contact Us: https://www.interbode.com
Notes:
Whilst detailed, this document is not for construction and is not intended to be compliant with all council or building regulations in your country or state. Prior to commencing build you should engage a suitable architect/drafts person and a qualified engineer.
All plans are copyright of Interbode Pty Ltd and Boxwood Construction Pty Ltd.
ROAM Design & Build Plans
2 BED | 2 BATH - Dimensions W x D x H
Roam is a single unit 12M (40ft) High Cube + 6M (20ft) High Cube Shipping container design suitable for a small residence use complete with 2 bathrooms. Service module designs for Off Grid use are available.
Download detailed plans for ROAM which include the following drawings in A3:
DRAWINGS SCHEDULES
PROJECT NOTES
FLOOR PLAN
REFLECTED CEILING
ROOF PLAN
ELEVATIONS
SECTIONS
INTERNAL ELEVATIONS
TYPICAL DETAILS
KITCHEN DRAWINGS
JOINERY DRAWINGS
BATHROOM DRAWINGS
ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS
WINDOW SCHEDULES
LIGHTING PLAN
POWER & SWITCHES PLAN
ELECTRICAL SCHEMATICS
FIXTURES & FINISHES SCHEDULE
Bespoke plans or amendments are also available from Interbode’s Design Studio. Contact Us: https://www.interbode.com
Notes:
Whilst detailed, this document is not for construction and is not intended to be compliant with all council or building regulations in your country or state. Prior to commencing build you should engage a suitable architect/drafts person and a qualified engineer.
All plans are copyright of Interbode Pty Ltd and Boxwood Construction Pty Ltd.
POD1 Design & Build Plans
1 BED | 1 BATH - Dimesions W x D x H
POD1 is a single unit 12M (20ft) High Cube Shipping container design suitable for a single bedroom/office use complete with bathroom (not kitchen) shown in both Grid and Off Grid configurations and with 2 Solar roof options. If you are looking for a single container with kitchenette design please see POD2
Download detailed plans for POD1 which include the following drawings in A3:
DRAWINGS SCHEDULES
PROJECT NOTES
FLOOR PLAN
REFLECTED CEILING
ROOF PLAN
ELEVATIONS
SECTIONS
INTERNAL ELEVATIONS
TYPICAL DETAILS
KITCHEN DRAWINGS
JOINERY DRAWINGS
ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS
WINDOW SCHEDULES
LIGHTING PLAN
POWER & SWITCHES PLAN
ELECTRICAL SCHEMATICS
FIXTURES & FINISHES SCHEDULE
Bespoke plans or amendments are also available from Interbode’s Design Studio.
Notes:
Whilst detailed, this document is not for construction and is not intended to be compliant with all council or building regulations in your country or state. Prior to commencing build you should engage a suitable architect/drafts person and a qualified engineer.
All plans are copyright of Interbode Pty Ltd and Boxwood Construction Pty Ltd.
POD2 Design & Build Plans
1 BED | 1 KIT | 1 BATH - Dimensions W x D x H
POD2 is a single unit 12M (20ft) High Cube Shipping container design suitable for a single bedroom/office use complete with small kitchenette and bathroom shown in both Grid and Off Grid configurations and with 3 Solar roof options.
Download detailed plans for POD2 which include the following drawings in A3:
DRAWINGS SCHEDULES
PROJECT NOTES
FLOOR PLAN
REFLECTED CEILING
ROOF PLAN
ELEVATIONS
SECTIONS
INTERNAL ELEVATIONS
TYPICAL DETAILS
KITCHEN DRAWINGS
JOINERY DRAWINGS
BATHROOM DRAWINGS
ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS
WINDOW SCHEDULES
LIGHTING PLAN
POWER & SWITCHES PLAN
ELECTRICAL SCHEMATICS
FIXTURES & FINISHES SCHEDULE
Bespoke plans or amendments are also available from Interbode’s Design Studio.
Notes:
Whilst detailed, this document is not for construction and is not intended to be compliant with all council or building regulations in your country or state. Prior to commencing build you should engage a suitable architect/drafts person and a qualified engineer.
All plans are copyright of Interbode Pty Ltd and Boxwood Construction Pty Ltd.
BBQ Design & Build Plans
1 BBQ | OFFICE - Dimensions: [insert]
BBQ is a single unit 12M (20ft) High Cube Shipping container designed for use either a BBQ or studio office space. BBQ comes with the design for the front extension.
Download detailed plans for BBQ which include the following drawings in A3:
DRAWINGS SCHEDULES
PROJECT NOTES
FLOOR PLAN
REFLECTED CEILING
ROOF PLAN
ELEVATIONS
SECTIONS
INTERNAL ELEVATIONS
TYPICAL DETAILS
ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS
WINDOW SCHEDULES
LIGHTING PLAN
POWER & SWITCHES PLAN
ELECTRICAL SCHEMATICS
FIXTURES & FINISHES SCHEDULE
Bespoke plans or amendments are also available from Interbode’s Design Studio.
Notes:
Whilst detailed, this document is not for construction and is not intended to be compliant with all council or building regulations in your country or state. Prior to commencing build you should engage a suitable architect/drafts person and a qualified engineer.
All plans are copyright of Interbode Pty Ltd and Boxwood Construction Pty Ltd
HUB Design & Build Plans
1 KIT | 1 BATH - Dimensions W x D x H
HUB is a single unit 12M (20ft) High Cube Shipping container designed for use as the Kitchen and Bathroom module in conjunction with our BED unit for glamping style use.
Download detailed plans for HUB which include the following drawings in A3:
DRAWINGS SCHEDULES
PROJECT NOTES
FLOOR PLAN
REFLECTED CEILING
ROOF PLAN
ELEVATIONS
SECTIONS
INTERNAL ELEVATIONS
TYPICAL DETAILS
KITCHEN DRAWINGS
JOINERY DRAWINGS
BATHROOM DRAWINGS
ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS
WINDOW SCHEDULES
LIGHTING PLAN
POWER & SWITCHES PLAN
ELECTRICAL SCHEMATICS
FIXTURES & FINISHES SCHEDULE
Bespoke plans or amendments are also available from Interbode’s Design Studio.
Notes:
Whilst detailed, this document is not for construction and is not intended to be compliant with all council or building regulations in your country or state. Prior to commencing build you should engage a suitable architect/drafts person and a qualified engineer.
All plans are copyright of Interbode Pty Ltd and Boxwood Construction Pty Ltd.
Stack. Designed for sites with gradients, 2x 40ft (12m) and 2 × 20ft (6m) shipping containers are combined in an ode to the Grillagh Water House.
View. Designed for sites with decent gradients but equally at home on level land, 1 x 40ft (12) and 2 × 20ft (6m) shipping containers are combined in a perfect union to create the feel of an amply proportioned 1 Bedroom home or holiday getaway.
Nest. If you are looking for something different - this is it. Our Nest units are un-apologetically unusual. 2 x 40ft shipping containers form a very special space - a roof top terrace and lower level deck with spa + fire pit.
BOX is a double unit 2X 12M (20ft) High Cube Shipping containers design suitable for a single small cabin use complete with kitchenette and bathroom in both Grid and Off Grid configurations and with 1 Solar roof option.
Price includes GST
Heli is a double unit 2X 12M (20ft) High Cube Shipping containers design suitable for flat sites/site needing to elevate in order to obtain views.
Roam is a single unit 12M (40ft) High Cube + 6M (20ft) High Cube Shipping container design suitable for a small residence use complete with 2 bathrooms. Service module designs for Off Grid use are available.
POD2 is a single unit 12M (20ft) High Cube Shipping container design suitable for a single bedroom/office use complete with small kitchenette and bathroom shown in both Grid and Off Grid configurations and with 3 Solar roof options.
POD1 is a single unit 12M (20ft) High Cube Shipping container design suitable for a single bedroom/office use complete with bathroom (not kitchen) shown in both Grid and Off Grid configurations and with 2 Solar roof options. If you are looking for a single container with kitchenette design please see POD2
BBQ is a single unit 12M (20ft) High Cube Shipping container designed for use either a BBQ or studio office space. BBQ comes with the design for the front extension.
HUB is a single unit 12M (20ft) High Cube Shipping container designed for use as the Kitchen and Bathroom module in conjunction with our BED unit for glamping style use.
NEST Design & Build Plans
2 BED | 1 KIT | 1 BATH - Dimensions: W x D x H
NEST is a double unit 2X 20M (40ft) High Cube Shipping container design suitable for a small house/ holiday apartment use complete with regular kitchen and bathroom in both Grid and Off Grid configurations and with 1 Solar roof option.
Download detailed plans for NEST which include the following drawings in A3:
DRAWINGS SCHEDULES
PROJECT NOTES
FLOOR PLAN
REFLECTED CEILING
ROOF PLAN
ELEVATIONS
SECTIONS
INTERNAL ELEVATIONS
TYPICAL DETAILS
KITCHEN DRAWINGS
JOINERY DRAWINGS
BATHROOM DRAWINGS
ASSEMBLY DRAWINGS
WINDOW SCHEDULES
LIGHTING PLAN
POWER & SWITCHES PLAN
ELECTRICAL SCHEMATICS
FIXTURES & FINISHES SCHEDULE
Bespoke plans or amendments are also available from Interbode’s Design Studio. Contact Us: https://www.interbode.com
Notes:
Whilst detailed, this document is not for construction and is not intended to be compliant with all council or building regulations in your country or state. Prior to commencing build you should engage a suitable architect/drafts person and a qualified engineer.
All plans are copyright of Interbode Pty Ltd and Boxwood Construction Pty Ltd.