With a bit of imagination, shipping containers can become more than simple storage units. Just look at the example from the next link, to see how 2 shipping containers merged into a single beautiful home. If you would like to have your own cozy place in the woods, but you find it expensive to build a cabin, you can always use shipping containers as the base of your home. The amazing thing about these containers os that you can divide the interior any way you want, creating separate spaces and rooms. To best way to solve the heating system is to use solar power or a wooden stove. You can obtain water from a well source and live a sustianable life this way. The house in the pictures has a bedroom, a living room and also a kitchen and a small bathroom. As you can see the living room is large enough so you can also invite some guests in the weekend. The container from the photos has an underground storage space as well, so you can keep as many food supplies there, as you need.
I love the design, but what is the point of doing all those sustainables if you are going to chop down a forest in order to decorate your walls?
Last time I checked, Troy, pine was a very sustainable wood. It’s a very quick growing tree that is often planted just be harvested. That’s why it’s the lumber of choice for residential construction. There is no shortage of pine and likely never will be,
The sustainability of this home seems to be more about sustaining the family that lives inside it than just being green for the sake of the environment. The objective is to be able to sustain themselves off the grid as much as possible.
Plant trees to replace ones used for decorating. Really is it a concern? Since the beginning of time mankind has used trees and the natural resources of the land for shelter. Using shipping containers minimizes the amt of lumber needed to begin with. Solar power further limits dependency on man made power resources. Seems a win win to me. I would even take it one step further and have a natural “planted” roof. Which would act as a natural insulator.
Because wood is a renewable resource, unlike oil, coal, and other manmade products.
Hi Troy-Perhaps I can respond to that. Since the enactment of total fire suppression planning in the midst of the last century, our forests are vastly overgrown and in terrible health! While ground burning fires had naturally thinned while benefiting the ecosystem when trees were not touching and the canopy was open, now fires quickly become catastrophic. The only way to return the forest to health is by thinning small diameter trees, providing wood which can be utilized in many ways. At present too many trees, too close together are literally killing our forests.
That’s where repurposing would come into play.
I agree, it would be lovely with reclaimed wood though!
That’s pine which is highly sustainable natural resource. Had it been some rare rainforest hardwood then yea that wouldn’t be good.
Chop down a ‘forest’? Really? Some people just have to criticize, legitimately or not.
Yes they could have used steel stud but it is very flimsy and doesn’t deaden sound very well compared to wood framing. However the amount of wood used for this project is a far cry from the amount that would have gone into a traditional wood framed home.
Because wood is a sustainable, renewable resource.
Exactly how many trees do you think it takes to panel a room? Does sustainable mean never cut down trees… ever? Lumber is much more sustainable than you seem to think.
am looking for price quotes to do a basic open plan chipping container – just wanting windows, slide door and lining and transport to whangerei beach – nothing else
please let me know
Great job. BTW, forestry is sustainable 😉
To put in insulation, having metal walls would be horribly cold in winter.
interesting, I been searching here in the Midwest, for 2 40 footers for a garage,, I cant find anyone who will deliver to Iowa, any ideas?
Mike,
Check with any auctioneers in your area.. they will probably have a line on where you can get some containers.
I want to see interior photos when it’s done.
Hit next to see finished photos.
I would love to find a contractor to do this. Any one know of one?? I’m in North Florida.
very cool looking….love this
I think you have done an awesome job ! ” I LOVE IT INSIDE LOOKS LIKE A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY COTTAGE” . My dream is to build a tiny house thank you for sharing your ideas and dream. Love to see when fully completed, keep up the good work it’s fantastic.we have just bought our dream house my partner is buying container for storage till we can afford a shed and I am already looking to see how we can change into cottage for guests and maybe a little income for us. For now it’s just a dream but dreams can come true!
Roughly how much did it all cost? The house only not the landscaping work.
I viewed the original blog several years ago. does anyone have the original link?