Before prefabricated housing became a global buzzword, Jamaican great-grandparents were already doing something remarkably similar — building homes on raised wooden “cellars” that could be lifted and relocated as circumstances changed. That practical, mobile approach to housing has largely faded from view. Now, a Chinese construction firm is reintroducing the concept in a modern, technology-driven form through modular cabin homes designed for today’s Jamaican realities.
China International Construction Company (CICC) Assembly Limited has been operating locally since 2019 under the leadership of Director and General Manager Changbin Lu. The company says its modular cabin homes are designed to combine efficiency, comfort and environmental awareness, while offering Jamaicans an alternative to traditional concrete construction.
The idea, Lu explained, emerged from listening carefully to Jamaica’s housing challenges.
“In 2019, we listened to Prime Minister Andrew Holness share his childhood experience during a speech — growing up in a cramped house with many family members, facing shortages of water and electricity, and living with poor infrastructure. Against this backdrop of his efforts to improve people’s living conditions and build more affordable housing, I recognised Jamaica’s favourable business environment and believed that my team’s professional capabilities could contribute to the country’s construction industry,” Lu said in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.
Lu speaks limited English and was assisted during the interview by Kevin Chen, his assistant and translator.
From Commercial Projects to Modular Living
Since establishing its Jamaican presence, CICC has delivered several commercial and high-end residential projects across Kingston, Spanish Town in St Catherine, and tourism centres such as Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay in St Ann. Some of its work has involved major corporate clients including Carerras, Sagicor and the National Commercial Bank.
The move into modular housing, Lu said, reflects a deliberate shift toward sustainability and flexible living.
“With the continuous advancement of China’s spacecraft technology, astronauts have sent back stunning images of our home, planet Earth, and there has been a longing for freedom and outdoor activities among people. We want to fulfil the desire of individuals to ‘travel with their homes’,” he explained.
A Look Inside the Cabin Models
At CICC’s Ferry Pen model site just off Mandela Highway in Kingston, four modular cabin designs are currently on display — each targeting different lifestyles and uses.
- The G5 (≈260 sq ft)
A compact, highly adaptable unit suitable as a small home or private office. It features a streamlined interior, concealed lighting and an integrated work area positioned near a large window panel. - The G8
The most visually striking of the models, with a half-moon glass façade inspired by space capsules. Panoramic glazing floods the interior with natural light, complemented by metallic finishes and subtle LED lighting. - The S5 (≈300 sq ft)
A one-bedroom unit designed for comfort and intimacy. It opens onto a small patio and incorporates smart-home systems controlling air conditioning, lighting and projection screens. - The S9 (≈400 sq ft)
The largest model, offering two bedrooms and an extended patio. It is aimed at small families or investors considering short-term rentals and holiday accommodation.
All models share core features, including energy-efficient systems, dry-wet separated bathrooms, and wide glass panels offering up to 270-degree views.
“The space capsules are equipped with a whole-house intelligent control system, covering air conditioning, projectors, and bathroom facilities,” Lu said. “They can be delivered as fully furnished units, they feature bathrooms with a dry-wet separation design and 270-degree panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows. Some models also come with skylights and patios.”
Pricing, Construction and Durability
Prices for the modular cabins start at J$7.8 million and rise to around J$9 million, depending on the model and interior finishes.
“Their price is approximately 15–20 per cent lower than that of traditional concrete houses with the same floor area,” Chen explained. “The turnkey package includes partially pre-installed furniture, basic water and electricity systems, and fully completed interior and exterior decorations.”
The units are prefabricated in China and shipped to Jamaica, where they are assembled on concrete foundations using high-strength bolts or welding.
“The cabin houses mainly adopt a galvanised steel structure frame and aluminium panels, offering thermal insulation, fire resistance, corrosion resistance, and insect-proof treatment,” Lu said.
He added that the cabins are expected to last at least 15 years, with routine maintenance required.
Interest from Buyers and Government Stakeholders
According to CICC, the cabins have already attracted attention from government officials, police officers, real estate developers and private buyers, many of whom have visited the Ferry Pen site multiple times.
“Many real estate developers and individuals have shown interest in our cabin houses,” Chen said. “Additionally, travel and outdoor enthusiasts, as well as high-income groups seeking a niche lifestyle, have also demonstrated keen interest in these innovative dwellings.”
Sustainability, Tourism and Disaster Response
CICC is also positioning its modular homes as a more environmentally responsible construction option.
“The building process is quite sustainable, using renewable materials like wood and recycled steel,” Lu said. “Its carbon footprint is estimated to be 30–40 per cent lower than traditional construction due to modular prefabrication and material efficiency.”
Looking ahead, the company sees strong potential in tourism-related developments, including eco-resorts, Airbnb operations and public-sector projects. While formal discussions with the Ministry of Tourism have not yet begun, CICC says it plans to explore pilot sites in the near future.
The firm also believes its cabins could support government-led housing initiatives and post-disaster recovery efforts, particularly as Jamaica continues to face increasingly severe storms.
“We are committed to contributing to Government-led housing solutions,” Lu said.
As part of its long-term strategy, CICC aims to establish local manufacturing and assembly hubs in Jamaica, reducing costs while expanding employment opportunities. The company already operates a localised staffing model in which Chinese technicians train Jamaican workers, who are promoted to supervisory roles once skill standards are met.
In many ways, the return of movable, modular homes represents a modern echo of Jamaica’s past — blending an old way of thinking about housing with new technology, new materials and new possibilities.
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