Shipping containers, large steel boxes traditionally used for carrying heavy items, have a new life as housing materials and to make steel buildings. This is property investment at its finest, instead of being sent to a junkyard, these containers are being used to make groundbreaking new homes that are both stylish and environmentally-friendly, as well as being easy to assemble and affordable.
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1. Infiniski
In addition to using shipping containers, Infiniski also uses bottles, forklifts, and railway tracks for their distinctive eco-friendly structures. Lofts can be built in two months, and large homes in up to four months. Infiniski tries to bring a new approach to architectural design–one that’s mindful of the needs of the environment but also efficient to build. The results are stunning homes with unusual designs that are quick to build and are environmentally friendly.
2. Modular Dwelling Unit, LOT-EK
This colorful container house was designed by LOT-EK and built from recycled materials. The inside is surprisingly light and the outside has a colorful exterior. LOT-EK has designed a system of affordable houses ranging from 640-2560 square feet that comes with fully-installed electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and installation.
3. Morin and Labelle, Quebec
It’s hard to tell that this is a container house, but there’s seven shipping containers underneath the wooden veneer. However, the interior of the house shows off the textured containers, down to the dents and serial numbers. It’s incredibly affordable–a 4 bedroom home that cost only $175,000 instead of $400,000 estimated with traditional materials.
4. Cove Park
Cove Park is a creative retreat in the Scottish countryside for international artists overlooking Loch Long. The shipping container houses on the lake were so popular that additional units were later added. The location on the water is incredibly soothing and perfect for artists, and the design of the containers takes advantage of the location’s natural beauty, down to the grass growing on the roofs.
5. De Maria Design Redondo Beach House
This is the luxury version of container houses–most homes use four containers while this award-winning one featured on CNN one takes eight shipping containers. It has 20-foot ceilings as well as an outdoor pool. Designed by De Maria Design from shipping containers as well as more traditional building materials, the resulting structure is nearly indestructible and resistant to fire, mold, and termites.
6. Container City
Container City provides 37 apartments for local artists, facing the Trinity Buoy Wharf in London. It took over 50 containers to make this eye-catching Lego-like structure–and only 8 days to install it. It’s both cost-effective and environmentally friendly since over 90% of the building is made from recycled materials. Container City has been so popular that there’s been over ten similar projects launched in various cities.
