Madrid-based architects HANGHAR LLC’s Casa Guadalupe elevates prefabricated residential building to a whole new level.
Comprised of a lightweight steel structure, a ventilated façade with sandwich panels, an insulated air cavity and a corrugated metal roof, Casa Guadalupe was fully fabricated in a workshop, transported on trailers and then assembled on site. The main structure of the residential property was assembled within 48 hours.
“From the initial concept to the finished building, the entire process took roughly seven months, which is notably fast for a house of this type,” explains architect Eduardo Mediero. “This was possible because most of the work was carried out before anything arrived on site. The design phase involved a high level of technical resolution, with every component carefully planned and coordinated in advance. Instead of relying on adjustments during construction, the process followed a structured timeline where each stage was predetermined.
“The use of prefabrication shifted the focus towards precision and preparation, allowing the construction phase itself to unfold in a much more predictable and efficient way than conventional building methods.”
The main structural components were manufactured in a factory to fit together precisely. Once they reached the site, a crane was used to position them in place. “Because the building sits on a system of supports, rather than a continuous foundation, it could be installed with minimal alteration to the terrain. The core structure went up very quickly — within a couple of days — after which the remaining elements were added in sequence,” says Mediero.
Steel was key to Casa Guadalupe’s design and build because it allowed the building to be both strong and relatively lightweight, which is essential for prefabricated systems. “Its properties make it well-suited to being manufactured off-site with a high degree of accuracy and then quickly assembled without complications,” says Mediero.
“In this project, the steel framework defined the organisation of the house and enabled it to be divided into transportable sections. It also contributed to the overall expression of the building, reinforcing the idea of a precise, engineered object, while still being adaptable to the local context.”
As much of the building was prefabricated in a factory, this reduced material wastage too. “The shortened construction timeline also means less disruption to the site and fewer resources spent during the build,” adds Mediero. “By raising the structure above the ground, the design preserves the natural landscape and avoids heavy intervention in the terrain. Additionally, the efficiency and adaptability of the prefabricated system suggest a more responsible approach to construction, where resources, time and environmental impact are all more carefully managed.”
Casa Guadalupe demonstrates a new way of designing prefabricated housing, combining the latest technology with sustainable materials to create a flexible system capable of producing architecture with character, spatial quality and a precise relationship to its surroundings.