While designing and building a shipping container home may sound a bit weird, it can really be a practical and financially rewarding decision. With the cost of building and housing materials soaring and the idea of up-cycling becoming more and more embraced, people the world over are seeking a humble modified shipping container to save on building costs.
Not only are shipping containers durable, strong and cost-effective, but they allow for unique and interesting design opportunities and encourage architects to work with some less conventional materials.
The Versatility Of A Modification Container
Shipping containers were invented over fifty years ago, and today, they are the linchpin of the world’s distribution network of goods. And while numerous resourceful individuals have converted the containers into makeshift shelters and clinics for a long time, green designers and architects are rapidly turning towards these strong, cost-effective boxes as building blocks.
One of the biggest advantages of shipping containers is that they can be easily modified with a variety of creature comforts and can be stacked and connected to create module, highly efficient spaces for a fraction of the labour, resources and cost of today’s conventional materials.
Shipping Container Homes
Everyone needs their own space to relax now and then and what better way to achieve it than with a modification container that can be designed to look and feel just the way you want it. And if you’re running out of space at home and need a little piece of heave just for yourself, simply connect another container and create your tranquil haven.
The Way To Go With Shipping Container Architecture
Take Mr. John Robertson, Managing Director of an architectural company on the Sunshine Coast. Mr. Robertson received loads of support when the local paper reported his plans to build a home-based office with the help of 3 shipping containers. As Mr. Robertson put it, it’s necessary sometimes to look at various methods of construction to help keep costs down. A sentiment echoed by a great deal of architects around the world.
But you don’t need to be an architect to deal with a modified container. Perhaps you want to build your own home and fancy something quite unique and different that works within the constraints of your budget. Perhaps you’ve come across different images of incredible, modern homes only to discover these amazing living spaces are built from shipping containers. Perhaps you think that that is exactly what you’re after.
Building a Home from a Shipping Container
As shipping container architecture continues to gain ground, there is a whole host of resources online that can help you with exciting design ideas.
Planning and Preparing
Once you get a couple of ideas together about what you can achieve with your modification container, you can then start thinking about other essential aspects. Careful planning and preparation is an important part of the building process and especially in terms of budget; structural stability; functionality; ongoing costs; timeframes and also council approval.
The Space And Functionality Of A Modification Container
From the beginning you should have a clear idea of what you want from your container home. How many bedrooms do you desire? How many bathrooms should there be? How many levels will the home be and will there be an outdoor area? The amazing versatility of shipping containers allows for them to be arranged in a variety of configurations, so it comes down to how much space you think you will need and what that space will be used for. This will determine overall how many containers you’re going to need and how they will be placed.
Your Budget
As with any sort of construction, unexpected expenses are, well, expected as well as professional fees. So no matter how well you plan, there will be costs that crop up. That’s why it’s important to minimise the damage by creating and sticking to a budget. Start by making a list of all the professional services you’re going to require during the project. Phone around to get costing ideas. While these will only be ball-park figures to begin with, it really helps to have a rough idea of the costs to come so that you can draw up your budget for your modification container build.
Professional costs to include should take into account:
• Architects
• Land surveyors
• Potential contractors and builders
• Structural engineers
• Land surveyors
• Shipping container re-sellers
• Mechanical engineers
If you need to have modifications done to your containers on site, you could be in for a big bill. So be sure to look carefully at your options when it comes to off-site modifications.
It’s also handy to have an understanding of the relevant codes you’re going to have to face. Chat to the local building and planning department to find out if you will face any zoning or planning restrictions, height limitations or maximum square footage for buildings.
Get hold of a list of all the permits, inspections, drawings and fees will be needed and find out if the drawings will have to be professionally stamped and if so which ones. You should start your modification container planning at the building and planning department.
Positioning Your Shipping Container Home
When it comes to deciding on the position and orientation of your home, consider these points:
• Check out the soil bearing capacity
• Consider existing landscaping, grade, views, roads and site boundaries
• Aim to build on flat areas to avoid excavation or grading
• Take advantage of any greenery that is already on site to block out chills and avoid heat or to create summery shade.
Where you place your modification container home will have a major impact on cooling and heating costs and overall energy efficiency. Try to take advantage of the way the sun travels to reduce energy consumption.
Floor Plans And Site Layout
Once you’ve planned how many rooms you’ll have it’s time to think about the area of each room and start drawing it out. You’ll find loads of online resources for shipping container floor plans for homes to make this easier.
Once you’ve come up with rough layouts, make use of 3D modelling software to start bringing the design to life and seeing how your new modification container home will look.
Suppliers
Finally, it’s time to source suppliers for your shipping container build. Remember you’re aiming for a unique and innovative building that needs to function as your home. Build a container home that’s going to last and function as you need it to and source suppliers you believe will deliver outstanding service and the best quality possible.
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