Original Design: Patrick Partouche (France)
Sri Lanka Build Partner: Hybrid Cargotecture Development (HCD)
Containers: 8 × 40 ft Area: ≈ 240 m² (2,580 sq ft) Bedrooms: 3 Year: 2010
Architectural Overview
The Maison Container Lille in northern France became a landmark in container architecture - eight repurposed shipping containers stacked in a sculptural, staggered composition.
Its bold cherry-red façade, exposed steel columns, and high-volume interiors show how industrial structure and modern comfort can coexist beautifully.
Today, Hybrid Cargotecture adapts this concept for Sri Lanka - blending European precision with tropical practicality to create strong, stylish, energy-efficient family homes.
Design Concept
The house is conceived as a prefabricated steel system assembled like building blocks.
Eight containers were pre-modified off-site and craned into position over just three days.
The result is a two-level hybrid structure combining speed, strength, and expressive design.
Ground Floor
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Garage and service core
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Open-plan living, dining, and kitchen zones
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Full-height glazing connecting to outdoor decks
Upper Floor
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Three bedrooms, office, and two bathrooms
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Double-height voids over the living area
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Catwalk bridges and steel staircases for dramatic interior views
Material & Climate Strategy
Patrick Partouche’s design used recycled steel, glass, and aluminum to achieve both sustainability and visual lightness.
HCD refines these ideas for Sri Lanka’s tropical climate:
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Thermal insulation (R24 walls / R44 roof)
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Heat-reflective roof coatings and ventilated façade cavities
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Low-E double glazing for cooler interiors
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Galvanized and marine-grade paint systems for coastal resistance
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Solar-PV integration and rainwater harvesting options
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Elevated column or pier foundations for flood-prone zones
Living Experience
Interiors are finished in white and wood, with exposed steel frames creating an industrial-chic aesthetic.
Natural light floods through floor-to-ceiling glass panels, while cross-ventilation keeps spaces comfortable year-round.
Reclaimed container panels are reused as wall art, furniture, and decorative screens—showing how sustainability can look sophisticated.
Performance & Sustainability
The original project achieved impressive thermal and acoustic results, exceeding French energy standards (RT 2005).
Hybrid Cargotecture applies the same principles locally - combining passive cooling, energy-efficient systems, and modular construction for homes that save energy, time, and cost.
Why Build This Hybrid Model in Sri Lanka
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70 % faster than traditional brick-and-mortar houses
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Stronger structure, engineered for wind and seismic safety
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Lower maintenance and adaptable to any terrain
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Customizable layout - modern villa, duplex, or family home
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Elegant industrial aesthetic that blends with nature
Technical Snapshot
| Feature |
Specification |
| Structure |
8 × 40 ft HC containers + steel frame |
| Total Area |
≈ 240 m² (2,580 sq ft) |
| Configuration |
3 bedrooms / 2 baths / office |
| Roof |
Floating shade roof for ventilation |
| Insulation |
Thermal Insulation + radiant barrier |
| Windows |
Low-E argon-filled double glazing |
| Energy System |
Solar PV + battery ready |
| Build Time |
≈ 12 – 16 weeks (Sri Lanka assembly) |
Ideal Uses
A New Standard for Sri Lanka
This project demonstrates that shipping-container homes are not experimental - they are the future of sustainable living.
Through Hybrid Cargotecture, Sri Lankan homeowners can now access European-grade design, modular precision, and tropical durability at an attainable cost.
Fast to build, environmentally responsible, and architecturally bold- the Maison Container concept is a glimpse of the next era of housing.
