Many believe that Shipping Container homes started in recent years. Little do they know that these modular homes have existed since the early 2000s. Since then, container homes have changed the world of modern living forever. Affordable housing has a whole other meaning, one that spells affordable housing. The cost of materials alone is cheaper than what you’d spend on a traditional home. Even better, these homes are eco-friendly, using systems like rainwater harvesting systems and solar panels to recycle water and conserve energy. Not to mention, a modern Shipping Container home is a lot more versatile than a two-story house. You can literally convert it into anything you want. In 2023, the Shipping Container home rules in residential architecture. There’s no telling what the future holds for these modular homes.
How They Rose To Fame
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Shipping Containers have taken over the world of modern living and with good reason too. They rose to fame out of a need for affordable housing during home shortages and for sustainability purposes. In other words, people wanted a housing option that wouldn’t break the bank and also cut down on waste. The idea to convert Shipping Containers into homes attracted designers, architects and DIYers alike. Their clean lines and the overall modular nature of these homes allowed them to express their creativity in new ways.
Not to mention, these modern container homes solved the issue of compact living solutions when urbanization went up. They offered efficient and space-saving housing options at the time. In other words, Shipping Container homes made minimal living a practical solution to the crisis of urbanization.
With the idea becoming a reality, these container homes started popping up everywhere. Since they’re customizable, they can be converted into anything from a garden shop to a 5-star resort. There’s no limit to the possibilities of a Shipping Container.
The Benefits Of Shipping Container Homes
Eco-Friendliness:
As previously mentioned, Shipping Container homes are great at saving the planet. These unconventional homes make it possible for you to use other building materials besides concrete and bricks which harm the environment. Additionally, they can be fitted with insulation systems to help control heating and cooling systems. Container homes can also feature rainwater harvesting systems that help you recycle and filter water. You can even use solar panels and natural lighting to help conserve energy.
Cost Efficiency:
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Speaking of sustainability, Container Homes are also affordable. Repurposing a Shipping Container helps to lower construction costs, especially since they’re readily available. They don’t even require alterations like a traditional home would. Container homes can even be converted off-site, which also helps take down labor costs. This can be especially beneficial if you live in an area with high real-estate costs. You even save time building. If you’re on a limited budget, then you should consider building a modern container home.
Modular & Versatile:
Moreover, these metal box homes can be turned into just about anything you want. There’s tons of modern container home designs to choose from. Whether you want your home to have a Harry Potter theme or shaped into a tree-house, it’s possible. This feature makes them more stackable, combined and altered. Shipping Container home builders especially love Shipping Container homes since they can experiment with new and daring Shipping Container home designs. You don’t need to demolish them to change the design of your home, either. Simply convert it by adding or subtracting features from your home.
Strength & Stability:
Clearly, these metal boxes are more than what meets the eye. They come with a wide platoon of advantages, one of them being their durability. A container home’s architecture is so strong and fortified that they can remain standing in a hurricane or an earthquake. You won’t have to worry about making any home repairs afterwards. Their steel construction allows them to weather through any bad storm and even a freak fire. It’s no wonder they’re the ultimate choice for modern-day architecture.
The Shipping Container Homes You Have To See To Believe
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The Caterpillar House, located in Chile, is a configuration of several containers made into one unique residence. It offers swoon-worthy views of the Andes Mountains, providing tons of natural scenery. The container home also has a swimming pool and a unique interior design unlike any other. Even more interesting, the unconventional home was constructed out of 12 used shipping containers and measures out to around 3,800Sq.ft.
The WFH House in Denmark, built by Danish architect company Studio Arcgency, comes as another great example of a Shipping Container home architecture. Its unique design allows clients to customize the house anyway they choose. Furthermore, the WFH homes feature high ceilings, open spaces, natural lighting and even a green roof with solar panels and skylights. Talk about a home that has it all.
Additionally, the Container Guest House in San Antonio, Texas, can give you some great Shipping Container home ideas. Made by national award-winning firm, Poteet Architects, the home’s “one-way” design takes a page out the minimalist approach. Though, it also puts a large focus on sustainability. The home has a garden roof that offers shade and air-flow, preventing overheating issues. One of the best ways of how this house stays sustainable is by the float being made entirely of recycled telephone poles.
The Challenges Of Building A Container Home
While there’s tons of great benefits to living in a Shipping Container, you might come across a few challenges. During installation, you may encounter issues regarding the regulations for building Container Homes. The innovative architecture is still very new to the modern home world and not everyone is onboard with it. Check with your local city planning authorities to get information on housing codes, zoning restrictions and permits.
Also, you may experience some insulation problems. Shipping Container homes don’t come equipped with insulation systems to begin with. They’re strictly provided based on the conditions of the area and a required R-value for the homeowner.
Plus, container homes come very small, even for just one person. On average, an 8’x20’ container only allows you approximately 100 square feet of space. Of course, you can always combine or stack containers to give you more room to move about. Though, the more containers you need, the higher the price goes.
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At the end of the day, you’re always going to face challenges with building a container home. However, that doesn’t mean they’re impossible to overcome. Once you find the right resources, invest in the right systems and learn all the zoning codes, you’ll be good to go. Container homes are still by far the best and cheapest way to do modern home living. By using Shipping Container parts to build your home, you’re saving money, time and the planet. You can’t say the same for a traditional home.
The Future Is Now
Given that these structures have made it clear they’re here to stay, new advancements are being made everyday. In the future, we also can expect to see everything from bold designs, improved zoning regulations, and enhanced climate control systems.
Some architects have already started the process of evolution. These examples include the Escape Den in Bangladesh and the Joshua Tree Residence on the mountainside of California. All these homes have improved sustainability systems and even more daring designs. Others have smart home systems like automated lighting, heating and security systems, implemented in these homes. It looks like the future for container homes is already here.
Container Homes Are A Game-Changer
It doesn’t get any better than Shipping Container homes. Their eco-friendliness, low-cost building materials and unique designs have fascinated homeowners and architects alike. The future holds endless possibilities for these structures. While some container homes will have an entirely eco-friendly interior, others will feature more smart home technology systems. Shipping Container homes are a major game-changer in modern home architecture.
