Photo: Ike Edeani
If youve ever been to a port city, youve probably seen shipping containers.
Theyre massive corrugated metal bins that hold everything from clothing to electronics to cars.
Their utility makes them easy to pass by without a second glance.
Photo: Ike Edeani
But for some people, shipping containers are what they call home.
What is a shipping container home?
When it comes to configurations, theyre like a blank slate.
Graceville Container House(Photo:Ziegler Build)
Arranging them is akin to the game Tetris.
With the seemingly endless customization options, shipping container homes are lauded for their stunning and unexpected designs.
Combining an industrial aesthetic with minimalist architecture, they are eco-friendly and stylish.
Graceville Container House(Photo:Ziegler Build)
Container homes rise in popularity.
The popularity of homes built from shipping containers started around 2012.
Architecture firmZiegler Builddesigned the 6,000-square-foot mansion that features a staggering 31 shipping containers.
Graceville Container House(Photo:Ziegler Build)
With them, the house has four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a gym, and art studio.
Afterwards, the containers were sculpted to resemble a traditional floor plan.
Thick steel beams were installed to ensure structural integrity.
Graceville Container House(Photo:Ziegler Build)
It took 24 weeks to construct the massive home, but it was done for only $450K USD.
Considering the size and stunning additionsit features an eco saltwater poolthis is an impressive feat.
And, it proved a good investment.
Graceville Container House(Photo:Ziegler Build)
The family sold the home in 2014 for over twice what it cost to build.
TheGraceville Container Houseshows why shipping container homes are popular.
Eco-friendly:Shipping containers are left abandoned every year.
Container home made by Honomobo(Photo:Honomobo)
By using them for a dwelling, youre repurposing steel and giving it a new life.
In addition, your recycling cuts down on other materials like concrete or bricks.
Speed of build:A container comes with its structure already in place.
Container home made by Honomobo(Photo:Honomobo)
Youve got a ceiling, walls, and floors.
Depending on how youd like to customize it, you could be living in your home in no time.
With that size, its easy to drop on a small plot of land outside of a conventional neighborhood.
Photo: Ike Edeani
And if you install solar panels, youll be living off-grid.
Owning your own shipping container home
Interested in owning a shipping container home?
Youve got a couple of options: prefab and DIY.
Photo: Ike Edeani
There are seemingly endless options if youre interested in this direction.
Since shipping containers have become trendy, many companies have started to produce them.
you might even order them online!
Photo:Quik Build
Theyve created a collection of flexible, modular units that appeal to the many needs of their clients.
Offering six floor plans, they provide everything necessary to make it move-in ready.
You simply supply the foundation and contractor to build it.
Photo:Truth Box Inc.
Most of our clients chose a local contractor to help with the permit submission and civil works, theyexplain.
Its a challenging endeavor, from logistics and building permits to laying foundation and reinforcing your construction.
Steve of the website Tin Can Cabin summarizes the process in acomprehensive article.
Photo:SG Blocks
There, he details a 17-part process which starts out simple enoughdesign your cabin.
Essentially, figure out how much space you need and start working up a floor plan.
Although rewarding, Steves guide shows all the work necessary for making a shipping container habitable.
Photo:Nova Deko Modular
(After reading it, you might want to go with the prefab option!)
There are also shipping container home plans available to purchase online.
The aptly-titled websiteContainer Home Plansfeatures a completethree-part guidefrom constructing one start-to-finish.
Photo:Nova Deko Modular
Stunning examples of modern shipping container homes
Get inspired with these beautiful container homes.
Photo:Nova Deko Modular
Incubo House(Photo:María José Trejos Architects)
Incubo House(Photo:María José Trejos Architects)
Incubo House(Photo:María José Trejos Architects)
Containers of Hope(Photo: Andres Garcia Lachner)
Containers of Hope(Photo: Andres Garcia Lachner)
Manifesto House(Photo: James & Mau Arquietectura)
Manifesto House(Photo: James & Mau Arquietectura)
