This company converts shipping containers into $50,000 sustainable, off-grid tiny homes in 99 days — see inside

Two Mexican architects designed a modern, sustainable tiny home, and it barely shows its shipping container roots.

Rodrigo Alegre and Carlos Acosta, founder of the Mexico City studio StudioRoca, spent the last few years focusing more and more on environmental impact, and eventually developed the idea for Vivienda Minima de Descanso (VMD), or Minimal Leisure Dwelling.

VMD is a prefab one or two-bedroom home made out of repurposed shipping containers, with customization options throughout. The one-bedroom designs are about 322 square feet, and two-bedroom designs are about 645 square feet.

The basic VMD starts at $49,000 and is constructed in Mexico, then dropped by a crane into whatever location is chosen by the buyer. With the philosophy of minimizing environmental impact, VMD can be used totally off-grid, with solar panels and a rainwater tank. Specialized materials minimize energy needs throughout to keep the home as low impact as possible.

See inside here.

VMD units are made out of repurposed shipping containers.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

The exterior facade is made out of viroc, a composite material.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

The architects said that sustainability was a goal throughout the design, and using shipping containers reduce resources used and waste produced.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

Viroc is fire and water resistant, with acoustic and thermal insulation.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

The shipping container structure is sturdy, so it can go anywhere that a trailer and crane can drop it.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

Inside, the units are extremely customizable.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

VMDs can be one or two bedrooms...

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

Or even larger, with nearly endless options of combining several containers.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

Inside, furnishings were designed and curated by StudioRoca, based in Mexico City.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

Every aspect, from the basic structure to finishings, was chosen based on ecological impact, along with style.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

The drywall has thermal and acoustic insulation properties that make heating and cooling cheaper and less energy intensive.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

Floors, walls, countertops, and bathroom finishes can all be customized in the buying process.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

Solar panels and a rainwater tank can be added on for off-grid living.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

The bathroom floor is made up of 33% recycled materials.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

A special instant water heater "dramatically reduces energy usage"...

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

...and an incinerating toilet can minimize energy further, while also being a good option for off grid use.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

Built-in shelving and storage throughout helps residents make use of the small space.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

The kitchen is modern-looking, with white no hardware cabinets and black appliances.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

It has a small eat-in area that leads into the main living space.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

A glass door lets in light.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

The melamine flooring in the house actually has a negative carbon footprint.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

Part of the appeal of VMD is that residents can just "lock-up-and-go."

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

Architects said that the prefab home doesn't have all the maintenance that a house would, make it a good option for a guest house, vacation home, or primary residence.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

The architects recommend a check of the structure every two years to make sure there is no corrosion.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

They estimate that the structure will be suitable housing for at least 50 years.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

From ordering to delivery, the entire process takes 99 days.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

The base price is $49,000, not including shipping and customizations.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

The base price does include electrical and plumbing systems, finishes, bathroom furniture, lighting, and the deck.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

The architects shared this photo of one of their customized units with Business Insider.

BusinessInsider USA Images

VMD

For buyers concerned about security, cameras, motion sensors, and alarms can all be controlled through a cell phone.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

Finally, because VMD doesn't require a foundation, it could be moved to another location.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Vivienda Minima de Descanso

This company converts shipping containers into $50,000 sustainable, off-grid tiny homes in 99 days — see inside

VMD units are made out of repurposed shipping containers.

The exterior facade is made out of viroc, a composite material.

The architects said that sustainability was a goal throughout the design, and using shipping containers reduce resources used and waste produced.

Viroc is fire and water resistant, with acoustic and thermal insulation.

The shipping container structure is sturdy, so it can go anywhere that a trailer and crane can drop it.

Inside, the units are extremely customizable.

VMDs can be one or two bedrooms...

Or even larger, with nearly endless options of combining several containers.

Inside, furnishings were designed and curated by StudioRoca, based in Mexico City.

Every aspect, from the basic structure to finishings, was chosen based on ecological impact, along with style.

The drywall has thermal and acoustic insulation properties that make heating and cooling cheaper and less energy intensive.

Floors, walls, countertops, and bathroom finishes can all be customized in the buying process.

Solar panels and a rainwater tank can be added on for off-grid living.

The bathroom floor is made up of 33% recycled materials.

A special instant water heater "dramatically reduces energy usage"...

...and an incinerating toilet can minimize energy further, while also being a good option for off grid use.

Built-in shelving and storage throughout helps residents make use of the small space.

The kitchen is modern-looking, with white no hardware cabinets and black appliances.

It has a small eat-in area that leads into the main living space.

A glass door lets in light.

The melamine flooring in the house actually has a negative carbon footprint.

Part of the appeal of VMD is that residents can just "lock-up-and-go."

Architects said that the prefab home doesn't have all the maintenance that a house would, make it a good option for a guest house, vacation home, or primary residence.

The architects recommend a check of the structure every two years to make sure there is no corrosion.

They estimate that the structure will be suitable housing for at least 50 years.

From ordering to delivery, the entire process takes 99 days.

The base price is $49,000, not including shipping and customizations.

The base price does include electrical and plumbing systems, finishes, bathroom furniture, lighting, and the deck.

The architects shared this photo of one of their customized units with Business Insider.

For buyers concerned about security, cameras, motion sensors, and alarms can all be controlled through a cell phone.

Finally, because VMD doesn't require a foundation, it could be moved to another location.

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