Giving mobile homes a new life with a durable steel envelope

Transforming existing units into simple, demountable and affordable homes

With its Refit Mobil-home project, Atelier Re-Sourcé reconditions end-of-life mobile homes and transforms them into demountable, simple and affordable living units.

The initiative was born from a twofold observation: many mobile homes reach the end of their life cycle without any real reuse channel, while the need for temporary or intermediate housing is growing strongly across local areas.

These homes are mainly intended for local authorities, social landlords, associations and employers looking for solutions to house young people, seasonal workers, students, apprentices, mobile workers or people in transition.

A project with social and environmental impact

The aim of the project is to extend the lifespan of existing mobile homes by avoiding their disposal. This approach is based on sobriety, reuse and the recovery of resources that are already available.

Depending on the configuration, Atelier Re-Sourcé aims to use around 60% supplies from reuse channels or local sources. At the scale of one module, almost 2 tonnes of waste can also be avoided.

The project therefore addresses several current challenges: limiting waste, reducing the use of new materials, offering more accessible housing and creating a reproducible solution for local areas.

The demonstrator was developed with Frédéric Clermont from the Desind agency, who supports Atelier Re-Sourcé on the industrial design of the project.

The goal is not only to renovate an existing mobile home, but to build a reproducible reconditioning process with a genuine housing identity.

The envelope plays a central role here. Combined with wood and carefully selected finishes, the steel solution helps change the perception of the module: it is no longer just a renovated mobile home, but a compact, qualitative and contemporary living unit.

Joris Ide solutions for a sober, robust and homogeneous envelope

For this demonstrator, Atelier Re-Sourcé chose the Joris Ide JI 29-283-850 profile in RAL 7022, applied as both cladding and roofing.

Using the same profile on the façade and the roof ensures visual continuity across the entire envelope. This approach reinforces the impression of a coherent and homogeneous module, as one single unit, while supporting the transition from mobile home to housing codes.

This solution was selected for its sober aesthetic, robustness, durability and ability to fit into a reproducible production logic. The steel profile strongly contributes to the identity of the module by providing a more contemporary and qualitative finish.

Thanks to this combination, the module benefits from a durable, carefully finished and coherent envelope, while remaining compatible with a reconditioning process designed to be reproduced on a larger scale.