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Formaco’s collapsible houses arrive ready to live in, folded into 35 cm modules, with electrical and plumbing installed, models from 14.5 sqm to 38 sqm and prices starting from R$ 36 thousand.
According to Correio Braziliense, Formaco’s collapsible houses are prefabricated galvanized steel modules that arrive ready to live in, with all electrical and plumbing already factory-installed. The technology works like an accordion: the structure is compacted for transport, arriving with only 35 centimeters of thickness, and opens on the ground to form a complete house.
A single truck can transport up to 12 modules simultaneously, reducing freight costs compared to traditional container houses. The company, located in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, offers three ready-to-deliver models: 14.5 sqm starting from R$ 36 thousand, 27 sqm in an intermediate range, and 38 sqm with a glass facade reaching R$ 145 thousand in the premium version.
The standard 38 sqm model includes a complete bathroom with toilet, sink, and shower box, installed vinyl flooring, infrastructure for hot and cold water, windows with mosquito screens, and movable partitions that allow for creating two bedrooms or maintaining a single open space. The client receives the house ready and only needs to connect water, electricity, and sewage.
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Accordion-style collapsible house arrives compacted to 35 centimeters to reduce freight
What differentiates Formaco’s collapsible houses from conventional container houses is the folding mechanism. While a container arrives as a rigid block and occupies its full volume during transport, the accordion module is compacted to just 35 centimeters thick.
The structure is made of galvanized steel, a material resistant to corrosion and Brazil’s climatic variations, from the rainy South to the hot Northeast. Walls, ceiling, and floor are articulated with industrial hinges, allowing the house to be compacted for transport and opened at its destination.
Assembly on the ground does not require special tools or highly specialized labor. The structure itself guides the process through interlocking parts, reducing time, complexity, and cost compared to conventional masonry construction.
Galvanized steel modular houses already leave the factory with electrical and plumbing
The most direct comparison is with quick-assembly furniture, but on a residential scale. The difference is that Formaco pre-installs all infrastructure before folding the structure for transport.
When the module is opened on the ground, the electrical wiring, plumbing points, and part of the finishes are already in place. This reduces construction steps, minimizes rework, and avoids some of the common costs in constructions built from scratch.
In practice, the system delivers a modular house ready to live in, provided the land is already capable of receiving external connections. The buyer does not receive just an empty structure, but a habitable module with prepared internal installations.
14.5 sqm model is a compact option for an office, studio, or extra bedroom
The 14.5 sqm model is the entry-level option in the Formaco line. It caters to those looking for an external office, compact studio, guest room, remote workspace, or small business.
With a price starting from R$ 36 thousand for ready delivery, it is the smallest investment in the line for those who need a permanent structure assembled in a few days. The reduced size favors small plots of land and complementary uses.
This model gained traction with the rise of remote work, as it allows for creating a separate environment from the main house without renting commercial space. It is a compact solution for those who need extra space without starting a traditional construction project.
27 m² model caters to compact housing, short-term rentals, and small businesses
The intermediate 27 m² model occupies the range between a studio and a compact residence. It allows for organizing a living room, kitchen, and bedroom with the support of movable partitions, maintaining flexibility in internal use.
This size is sought after by those who wish to install a second unit on their property, whether for family, short-term rental, or commercial use. In tourist regions, the investment can be recovered more quickly depending on local demand.
It is also an alternative for kiosks, snack bars, tattoo studios, aesthetic clinics, and small service spaces. The 27 m² modular house combines mobility, a ready-made structure, and a lower cost than a conventional commercial property.
38 m² demountable house features full bathroom, movable partitions, and premium version
The 38 m² model is the most complete in the line. According to the base text, the standard version includes a complete bathroom with toilet, sink, and shower, vinyl flooring, hot and cold water points, windows with mosquito screens, and movable partitions.
These partitions allow for creating two bedrooms, an integrated living room and kitchen, or maintaining a more open space. The version with a glazed facade and superior finishes reaches R$ 145,000, positioning the product at a premium level.
The proposal is to deliver a compact yet functional residence, with a more elaborate look than that of a temporary structure. In practice, the 38 m² model competes with small masonry houses and habitable containers.
What’s included in the demountable house and what the buyer needs to provide
Clarity about what is included in the price is essential for modular and demountable houses. At Formaco, the delivered module includes a galvanized steel structure, installed electrical wiring, hydraulic infrastructure, vinyl flooring, doors, windows, and, in some models, mosquito screens.
The buyer needs to provide the external connections for the property: the electricity grid from the distributor to the entry standard, the municipal water network or well to the hydraulic inlet, and the sewage connection to the public network or septic tank. These are mandatory connections for any house but are not part of the structure delivered by truck.
The foundation also varies according to the terrain. The company recommends a simple concrete base or footings, a faster and cheaper solution than a complete raft foundation used in many conventional masonry constructions.
Demountable houses can be used as housing, office, commercial space, or rental
Architect and YouTuber Gustavo Pozzato visited Formaco and highlighted uses that go beyond primary housing. The structure can function as an office, studio, extra bedroom, rental unit, compact store, or service space.
The metallic structure also allows for stacking modules, paving the way for two-story projects. A narrow plot can accommodate two superimposed modules, with external access and circulation, creating more usable area without occupying as much horizontal space.
Two 38 m² modules, for example, can form 76 m² across two floors. This configuration suits a small family or allows for creating independent rental units.
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