Thursday, March 19, 2015

The Amazing Shipping Container Houses

When it comes to tiny house living, shipping container tiny houses are a great option because they’re inexpensive, usually recycled, and extremely durable.
This means that by turning one into your home you’re helping the environment by using something that already exists as a shelter, you’re saving money compared to building from scratch, and your home will be able to withstand almost anything.
All of that sounds pretty great I’m sure, but how the heck do you make a shipping container into a home? How small can it be?
I think you’ll be surprised by this top 10 list of shipping container homes because they range in several sizes and in a bunch of different levels of luxury, too.
The first container home I’ll show you is interesting because it’s expandable, just like RVs that have slide outs. This conversion has lots of sliders, as you’ll see in the photos below.
They’re used to keep the unit mobile so in case you wanted to move it, it’s relatively easy and simple to do since it can go down to a width of approximately 8′ and a length of 40′ when everything’s closed up. It’s called the MDU which stands for Mobile Dwelling Unit, as seen on DorNob.
40 Foot Cargo Shipping Container Converted to Home with Slide Outs
40 Foot Cargo Shipping Container Converted to Home with Slide Outs
40 Foot Cargo Shipping Container Converted to Home with Slide Outs
For more photos and information on this Mobile Dwelling Unit, visit DorNob.
Check out container #2 below:
Next, with container number 2, let me show you what a man named Daniel Sokol is doing in New Hampshire with container conversions and his company called LEED Cabins. According to Jetson Green, he’s taking 20′ containers and converting them into tiny habitable homes starting at just $17,000. Check it out below.
LEED Cabins Shipping Container to Home Conversions
LEED Cabins Shipping Container to Home Conversions
LEED Cabins Shipping Container to Home Conversions
Don’t miss the dog resting and of course the beautiful little kitchen.
Check out container #3 below:
For container number three- unfortunately- the credits are unknown. I looked and looked and could not find out much about it, so if you have any idea where it came from and who built it, please let me know in the comments.
UPDATE: It’s called the Instant Build House and you can read more and even see more pictures of it over at Jetson Green’s post on it.
Shipping Container Tiny Home
Notice that it has window awnings set up everywhere along with an RV-style air conditioning system. Very nicely done, don’t you think? Let’s move on to the next one though.
Move on to container house #4 below:
Shipping container shelter number 4 is one of my personal favorites and you’ll probably love it as well because it’s set up perfectly to fully enjoy life. It’s a lakeside container turned cabin in Sri Lanka. The story behind this one is really interesting because it was built by soliders in an army training camp using the container and timber from weapon boxes that the soldiers found around the area, according to Dezeen and Jetson Green.
Shipping Container Turned Lakeside Cabin Retreat
Today the container turned cabin serves as a rustic retreat as the Holiday Cabana at Maduru Oya.
Shipping Container Turned Lakeside Cabin Retreat
Shipping Container Turned Lakeside Cabin Retreat
Shipping Container Turned Lakeside Cabin Retreat
Shipping Container Turned Lakeside Cabin Retreat
Shipping Container Turned Lakeside Cabin Retreat
It was photographed by Logan MacDougall Pope and designed by Damith Premathilake. How would you like to vacation in this- or better yet- live in something similar to it? Count me in. Damith, can you please put the plans up for sale?
Don’t miss number 5 below:
Next up is number five: a modern shipping container house conversion with a natural touch called the Cordell House. This is a great combination in my opinion. This type of natural looking wood finish gives off a modern touch while still giving you that cool cabin feel. It certainly isn’t tiny, but it was created to serve a family so I hope you’ll understand.
Cordell House Shipping Container Home
According to The Coolist, the Cordell House was designed and built by developers Katie Nichols and John Walker, of Numen Development, with the help of architect Christopher Robertson. They used three 40′ units and one 20′ unit to create the structure you see below and it does include guest quarters. Photos by Jack Thompson.
Cordell House Shipping Container Home
Cordell House - Shipping Container Home for a Family
So that’s what a ‘normal’ sized house would look like if it were professionally designed and built using shipping containers and plenty of funds. Pretty cool considering the use of recycled materials, don’t you think? It’s a little larger than what I usually like to feature here, but some folks truly need more space.
Check out number six below:
Container home number six can definitely be considered ‘tiny’ though at just 192 square feet using a 24′ long container. It will cost you upwards of $59,500 if you want one built for you by Seattle-based Hybrid Architecture. This particular design is called The Nomad and in 2011 was featured in Sunset Magazine, according to Tiny House Listings.
The Nomad Shipping Container Tiny House by HyBrid Architecture
As you can tell the roof is topped with giant solar panels to help power most of the home while the deck gives you just enough outside area to enjoy.
The Nomad Shipping Container Tiny House by HyBrid Architecture
The Nomad Shipping Container Tiny House by HyBrid Architecture
The Nomad Shipping Container Tiny House by HyBrid ArchitectureThe Nomad Shipping Container Tiny House by HyBrid Architecture
The Nomad Shipping Container Tiny House by HyBrid Architecture
This 24′ container home is designed to sleep up to four people comfortably.
The Nomad Shipping Container Tiny House by HyBrid Architecture
The Nomad Shipping Container Tiny House by HyBrid Architecture
The Nomad Shipping Container Tiny House by HyBrid ArchitectureThe Nomad Shipping Container Tiny House by HyBrid Architecture
If you want to learn more about Hybrid Architecture’s container homes and designs visit their website where you can also check out the rest of their projects. All photos of The Nomad house are credited to Hybrid Architecture.
Move on to lovely number seven below:
Lucky number 7 was originally seen on Dwell Magazine this 40′ by 8′ container was converted into a lush 320 square foot home. Compact and yet luxurious. It was done with the help of Jim Poteet, a Texas architect. According to Dwell, Stacey Hill wanted it made for the artist community she lives in. Photographs by Chris Cooper.
Artist Community Container Studio Photo by Chris Cooper
Funny thing about this one is that it already came in the blue color that you see now. They just added the floor to ceiling windows and sliding glass doors to brighten it up along with all of the extra fixtures you see below to give it a more artistic flavor.
Artist Community Container Studio Photo by Chris Cooper
Notice the roof top garden as well.
Artist Community Container Studio Photo by Chris Cooper
Artist Community Container Studio Photo by Chris Cooper
Artist Community Container Studio Photo by Chris Cooper
Artist Community Container Studio Photo by Chris Cooper
Artist Community Container Studio Photo by Chris Cooper
Artist Community Container Studio Photo by Chris Cooper
Artist Community Container Studio Photo by Chris Cooper
Artist Community Container Studio Photo by Chris Cooper
Artist Community Container Studio Photo by Chris Cooper
For more information and photos visit the original post over at Dwell. Photos are credited to the amazing Chris Cooper.
See affordable number eight below:
Tiny container number 8 is perfect if you want a safe and secure getaway out in the woods, mountains, or even in your backyard. The reason it’s so secure is because it has small windows and the larger ones can be completely enclosed to make it very challenging for a burglar to get into.
Tiny Secure Container Home by SoftStainless
Tiny Secure Container Home by SoftStainless
Tiny Secure Container Home by SoftStainless
Tiny Secure Container Home by SoftStainless
It’s an 8′ by 20′ container that’s used to build it so you’ve got approximately 160 square feet of living space but you can deduct a small portion of that for the front porch which can be completely closed in for protection, safety, and security. You can learn more about it and its owner, Tom, over at SoftStainless.com.
To see number 9 in Costa Rica, click below:
ISBU (intermodal steel building units) home number 9 is in wonderful Costa Rica. Using 20′ standard containers, Jimmy is transforming them into perfect compact studios for you to live in starting at just $15,000 through his company, ContainerHomes.net, according toKent’s Tiny House Blog.
Costa Rica's Container Homes by JimmyCosta Rica's Container Homes by Jimmy
Costa Rica's Container Homes by JimmyCosta Rica's Container Homes by Jimmy
Costa Rica's Container Homes by JimmyCosta Rica's Container Homes by Jimmy
Be sure to check out all of Jimmy’s products and services related to container homes over at his website if you’re interested in seeing what else he’s currently offering as this isn’t his only design.
Finish off with tiny container house number ten below:
Tiny container home number 10 is last but certainly not least. It’s an effort to help the needy with housing and it’s called PFNC which in spanish stands for Por Fin Nuestra Casa. In english that translates to, “finally, a home of our own.” I originally found out about this home thanks to Kent Griswold’s Tiny House Blog where he posted about this back in 2008.
PFNC's Tiny Shipping Container Home
PFNC's Tiny Shipping Container Home
PFNC's Tiny Shipping Container Home
Below you can enjoy a video walk through of one of their tiny container homes.
The project is led by a man named Brian McCarthy and it’s an honor to get to show his work here on Tiny House Talk. PFNC’s mission, as it reads on their website is to raise the standard of living for families who currently reside in dangerous or substandard conditions. We advance this cause by creating shelters from low-cost recycled materials.
If you enjoyed this post on tiny shipping container homes, please “Like” and share using the buttons below then talk about what you liked best in the comments below. Thank you so much!

8 comments:

  1. It certainly is amazing what can be done with shipping containers, isn't it? These tiny houses can provide extremely comfortable living spaces, and the prices of some of them are quite attractive. This is an interesting blog post. It makes me want to read more. I appreciate how much research you have done on this subject. You've caught my attention.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey I had stopped writing but now suddenly reading your comment it motivates me to write again

      Delete
  2. Nice list of shipping container homes...here are a few other from around the world.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I would like to say that this blog really convinced me to do it! Thanks, very good post. Shipping Container

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jamesy for your motivating word hope you continue reading the other posts as well

      Delete
  4. Actually, I am facing some difficulties to understand the meaning of the blog. If you have any short video film related to your blog, then I would request you to share here. It would be great help.
    modular office buildings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry Victoria I had just assembled facts form the internet and made an article and forgot but yes all I meant to convey is we throw the plastics and shipping containers and scraps to rags which can be recycled to riches as per the pictures in the post

      Delete
  5. Thanks and that i have a super provide: Who Repairs House Windows house renovation vancouver

    ReplyDelete

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