The Container of Hope: Designed For People, Not Stuff (shipping containers converted into homes)

[marmar]

from treehugger:



The Container of Hope: Designed For People, Not Stuff
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto




Shipping containers were designed for stuff, not humans, and by the time architects finish adapting them for people there often isn't much left of them. But they are cheap and plentiful, and architect Benjamin Garcia Saxe has managed to adapt a pair of 40' containers so that humans can be very comfortable indeed.



It is economical too; the whole thing cost $ 40,000. The key move here is that he has cut out almost the entire side wall of the container, and set the two boxes far enough apart that the spaces are now appropriately scaled



He then uses the material cut out from the side to make the roof .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/06/the-container-of-hope.php

[FreakinDJ]

1. This is all the Importing of Free Trade from China has left us

because with wages going into the toilet we can't even afford the foreclosed homes

[patrice]

2. Heck some people could afford to have 4-5 of those in different climate zones, for what you

pay for a low-end conventional house these days.

[RebelOne]

3. It's a great concept,

but I would not want to be in it if a bad storm hit. It looks pretty flimsy.

[patrice]

6. They'd need somekind of common-house for bad weather. nt

[jmowreader]

14. There are better ways to build a container home

One way to build one that really is stormproof is to set the containers side-by-side, weld them together with a strip of metal over the joints, then apply a built-up roof system to the top of it. Finally, cut holes in the perimeter walls for doors and windows, and cut your rooms into the interior. Then spray about three inches of polyurethane insulation and install drywall, wiring, plumbing etc. These containers are made to withstand ocean shipment, so they're really weatherproof. They're also made to have other containers stacked on top of them, so they're strong. I was driving down I-30 a little west of Texarkana one fine day and noticed a bridge they were building. (Someone in the Texas Highway Department saw the freeway system in The Flintstones, decided it was a good idea and duplicated it all over the state.) They were working on a section of bridge deck that didn't reach the next support column, so to hold it up they just piled ten containers up and laid the end of the bridge on the top one. Worked great.

[patrice]

4. Does look a little like the houses in Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, though.nt

[patrice]

5. . . . the movie version, that is. nt

[nonperson]

7. Here are more examples from a 2009 MSN article I saved

Check out the photos of other container homes at the link:

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-life/living-green/staticslideshowdailyg.aspx?cp-documentid=18681851&imageindex=1

13 Comfortable Homes Built from Recycled Shipping Containers

Recycled freight containers offer a strong, cheap, modular building material that can be used in efficient, affordable green homes.

[NightWatcher]

8. I've already made two designs for simple homes using one and two of the ISO's

Both designs are very enviro-friendly and make use of solar water heaters, pv systems, and other concepts.

Here on the East Coast if you live within 100 miles of a port you can buy these for about 2K delivered for a 40'

I can't wait to get a few acres out in the sticks to start experimenting.

[jwirr]

10. Wonder if there are any of these containers available in Duluth MN?

How would one go about finding out?

[NightWatcher]

13. Just search for your town and "shipping containers"

http://www.containeralliance.com/Storage-Containers/city.php?stateName=Minnesota&cityName=Duluth

The only downside is costs go up the further you are from a seaport.

[jwirr]

16. Thank you. My daughter has three generations in her 3 bedroom

home and they want to expand. This might be a great option.

[msongs]

9. if this catches on the price of used containers will skyrocket, however. nt

[NightWatcher]

12. In and around most port cities there is a glut of these containers

Tons of places use them as jobsite storage or use modified ISO containers as mobile offices. As I type this I'm sitting in a 12' long box converted to a small office, complete with 4 windows, electricity, a window unit AC, and an insulated door. It serves as an office for site engineers on this floating barge.

Back home in Jacksonville and Savannah, some shippers have made a small side business delivering these things from various import yards where they are sometimes stacked 5&6 high and take up tons of acreage near the ports. They are almost in the way and the costs of buying one is primarily for delivery.

[donheld]

11. I love people who have the mind to do something like this

Take an old transport container, ugly as hell and make it into a very attractive home. Real skill and ingenuity.
:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[sofa king]

15. Those awning windows cost about $1000 each.

Not including installation. If it's a 40-foot container and has two rows of 4-foot crank windows along the top of it, there's half of your forty grand right there.

http://www.andersenwindows.com/servlet/Satellite/awning-windows-for-your-home.htm