Eloy, a 32-year-old man from Albacete, Spain, found his peace far from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Today, he lives in a self-built container home in Tenerife, surrounded by the serenity of nature.

His journey began in London, where he spent five years living amidst the fast-paced, stressful city life. This experience made him realise he wanted something different. So, he made a bold decision: invest his small savings to buy a tiny plot of land and transform a container into a home.

With no prior construction experience, Eloy learned everything from scratch by watching self-building YouTube tutorials. Through determination and creativity, he transformed a simple container into a welcoming and functional refuge, a place he proudly calls home.

Building the container home

Buying a container in Spain wasn’t an easy task. Eloy had to visit the port to purchase a second-hand container, as these are only sold after their transport cycle is complete. However, Eloy saw a fantastic opportunity in this: recycling and giving new life to an object often repurposed as garages or offices—or worse, sent to landfill. The cost of a container ranges between €2,000 and €3,000, depending on the location.

The real challenge, though, was navigating legal hurdles. In some areas, residential use of containers is allowed, while in others, it’s not. Despite bureaucratic struggles and police inspections, Eloy pursued his dream with determination and creativity, ultimately succeeding in completing his project.

A day in Eloy’s life

Eloy’s life follows a slow, simple, yet deeply fulfilling rhythm. Each morning begins with a walk by the sea or in the mountains, always accompanied by his loyal dog, Rocky. After a gym session, Eloy returns home to focus on work.

To share his experience and inspire others who dream of building container homes, Eloy created the YouTube channel "Fabrica tu Sueño" and offers consultations to help people build their own container homes or find suitable land. Additionally, he runs online courses, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for sustainable, unconventional lifestyle.

Sustainability and innovation

Eloy’s container home is a shining example of sustainability in every aspect. The electricity is sourced from solar panels, while the kitchen runs on gas. Water is supplied by a truck that periodically refills the tank, and greywater is recycled to irrigate avocado and lemon trees.

Despite challenges, Eloy decided to plant orange and banana trees, showing his unwavering commitment to food self-sufficiency. While his first attempts at farming weren’t easy, Eloy keeps learning, turning each difficulty into an opportunity to deepen his understanding of natural agriculture.

The dream of a container community

Eloy’s project had a total cost of around €25,000. However, by using second-hand materials, the budget could be reduced to as low as €15,000, making this lifestyle accessible to many more people.

Eloy has also created a space for friends and barbecues, recycling materials and buying only essentials. With a small workshop for his tools and plans for another smaller container, Eloy continues to explore new possibilities.

His dream? To build a community of container homes—a small village where people can live sustainably and affordably, addressing modern housing issues with this eco-friendly and supportive solution.

In a nutshell

Eloy’s story shows us that a simpler, more sustainable way of living in harmony with nature is possible. His self-built container home project in Tenerife is more than just a house: it’s a symbol of determination, creativity, and freedom.

His dream of a container community represents a groundbreaking vision for a more accessible, authentic, and nature-connected housing model. A freer, more sustainable future is possible, and Eloy’s journey invites us all to take the first step toward this change.