Portuguese 
Model developed by Timmo Modular features 48 m², two bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and bathroom, utilizes galvanized steel structure, and arrives compacted at the site before expanding to its final dimensions
A company from São Bento do Sul, Santa Catarina, is focusing on a construction method that changes the very way a house reaches its site. Instead of transporting the residence fully open, Timmo Modular has developed a 48 m² structure that can travel folded within a truck and be expanded only at the destination.
Called the Foldable House, the model includes two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, and a complete bathroom, along with electrical and plumbing installations included in the design. According to the manufacturer, the compact structure allows for two units to be transported in a single truck.
Another point of interest is the reported assembly time. Timmo mentions approximately three days to get the structure operational, although site preparation, foundations, external connections, and any necessary permits could extend the total time until the residence is actually ready for use.
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48 m² House Shrinks During Transit and Gains Space Again Only at Destination
When opened, the Foldable House measures approximately 7.7 meters long by 6.3 meters wide and 2.5 meters high, offering an internal area close to 48 m².
What changes during transit are its lateral dimensions. Folded, the module measures approximately 5.9 meters long by 2.2 meters wide, while maintaining a height close to 2.5 meters.
This reduction allows the structure to occupy much less space during travel and prevents transporting an entire house at its final dimensions. According to Timmo, the compact design makes it possible to fit two folded houses on the same truck, reducing the number of trips required.
After arriving on-site, the side modules are opened, and the structure takes on the definitive configuration of the residence.
Standard Layout Includes Two Bedrooms, Living Room, Kitchen, and Complete Bathroom
Despite the unusual transport system, the internal layout follows the logic of a traditional residence. The standard design includes two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen, and a complete bathroom.
The manufacturer also indicates the presence of six windows, double-glazed doors, and a glazed front area. The configuration can also accommodate an external deck, depending on the design contracted by the owner.
In the kitchen, the standard specification presented by Timmo includes marble countertops, stainless steel sink, and custom cabinets, while the electrical and plumbing installations are already part of the preparations made before the structure arrives at the site.
The internal distribution does not need to remain exactly the same. The company states that it is possible to modify the position of windows and doors, the layout of the spaces, and various internal and external finishes.
Structure Uses Galvanized Steel and Walls with Thermal Insulation Panels
The house does not rely on conventional brick walls to form its main structure. According to specifications released by Timmo, the unit uses galvanized metal structure with epoxy paint, while the movable parts utilize galvanized hinges.
The walls utilize sandwich panels with 50-millimeter EPS, a solution commonly used in industrialized construction for combining closure and insulation in a single piece.
The manufacturer claims insulation thickness of approximately 76 mm in the walls, 58 mm in the ceiling, and 27 mm in the floor, while the base uses materials such as marine plywood, cement board, and vinyl flooring.
This composition aims to allow most of the residence to be produced in an industrial environment before being transported to the installation site, reducing the amount of work done directly on-site.
Three-Day Assembly Time Does Not Mean the Site Can Be Ignored
One of the main selling points of the Foldable House is the assembly time of approximately three days as reported by the manufacturer. However, this number should be separated from the time needed to fully prepare a property for occupancy.
Before the structure arrives, the site must meet suitable conditions to receive the module. Depending on the project, leveling, foundation preparation, and predetermined points for water, electricity, and sewage may be necessary.
Timmo itself informs that items such as footings, decks, and connection to the sewage system are not necessarily included in the standard package, which means these services must be factored into the buyer’s financial planning.
In a permanent installation, it is also necessary to check municipal regulations, technical projects, and the responsibility of qualified professionals according to the construction characteristics and the requirements of the city where the residence will be placed.
Manufacturer from Santa Catarina Also Offers Off-Grid Version
Another unique feature offered by Timmo is the option to adapt the residence for off-grid operation, reducing reliance on traditional energy networks.
Among the solutions provided are solar or wind generation systems combined with storage batteries. The configuration depends on each buyer’s needs and should not be confused with the equipment that is mandatory in the basic version of the house.
This option expands the use of the structure to rural areas, inns, properties far from urban centers, and lots where bringing conventional infrastructure can be more complex.
It may also attract tourism ventures looking to install modular housing units and increase the number of accommodations according to demand.
Company Claims to Have Developed the “First Foldable House in Brazil”
On its social media, Timmo has started presenting the product as the “First Foldable House in Brazil”. This claim is made by the company itself and does not imply that other modular or expandable constructions have never existed in the country.
The advantage championed by the manufacturer lies in the combination of industrialized production, foldable structure, compact transportation, and the opening of the module only after it arrives on site.
Timmo was founded in 2024 and has its headquarters and showroom in São Bento do Sul, a municipality in Santa Catarina known for its strong industrial activity. The company specializes in modular constructions and maintains a dedicated page for the Foldable House, detailing dimensions and materials.
This sets the project apart from various generic ads for expandable homes found on international marketplaces, where it is often difficult to clearly identify the manufacturer, model, or even all the specifications presented.
Price Not Quoted Publicly and Must Be Requested Directly from Timmo
Unlike imported modular homes that appear on marketplaces with eye-catching prices, Timmo does not publicly disclose a set price for the 48 m² Foldable House.
Interested buyers need to request a quote directly from the company, as customizations, finishes, delivery address, and additional solutions can alter the required investment.
In the commercial form, Timmo operates with different investment capacity ranges, starting below R$ 60,000 (about US$11,000) and including intervals above R$ 150,000 (about US$27,000). However, these ranges do not represent the official price of the Foldable House and do not allow for a specific determination of the cost of the 48 m² model.
Therefore, any price attributed to the residence without a formal quote from the manufacturer would only be an estimate.
Two Houses on the Same Truck Show Where the System Really Aims to Save
More than just promising an instant home, the project aims to tackle a significant issue in modular construction: transporting large structures from the factory to the property site.
By reducing the width of the house to approximately 2.2 meters during transport, the company can transport the module on roads without occupying the same dimensions that the residence will have once opened.
The announced capability to transport two folded houses in a single load highlights one of the system’s greatest advantages: producing much of the property in the factory, compacting it for travel, and expanding it only when it reaches its final location.
The result is a 48 m² Brazilian home that combines galvanized steel, two bedrooms, and pre-installed utilities with an unusual characteristic: before it becomes a residence, it can travel to the site almost folded on a truck.
