22 Modern Shipping Container Homes Around the World (2024)

A shipping container by itself is pretty boring, but even a brand new one is pretty cheap.

With a little bit of imagination (and a lot work), some talended architects succeeded to design dwellings made of shipping containers, ranging from off-the-grid guest homes to full time single family homes.

Shipping Container homes have their pros and cons: they are durable and eco-friendly, most of time cheaper to build than conventional constructions, and pre-fab modules can be easily transported by truck.

But they also have to be very well insulated and sealed as the steel conducts heat a lot and easily rusts if the air condenses against it.

You may think that living in a container home doesn’t sound very appealing.

Here are 22 of the best modern shipping container houses built around the world that may lead you to reconsider.

1. Containers of Hope, a $40,000 Home by Benjamin Garcia Saxe

Benjamin Garcia Saxe completed the Containers of Hope project in 2011 with a budget of $40,000.

Located in San Jose, Costa Rica, this container house made of two 40 foot shipping containers is the result of a close collaboration between the architect and his clients, who went on to construct the building themselves.

2. Shipping Container House by Studio H:T

Colorado-based Studio H:T designed this Shipping Container House in 2010. It is made of two 40 foot Shipping Containers.

The project is planned to be off-the-grid using solar orientation, passive cooling, green roofs, pellet stove heating and photovoltaics to create electricity.

3. The Beach Box by Andrew Anderson

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The Beach Box is a shipping container house located in the dunes of Amagansett, New York, USA.

This 2,000 square foot, four bedroom, two and a half bath home was developed by Andrew Anderson with six-modules from New York-based company SG Blocks.

4. 31 Shipping Container Home by ZieglerBuild

Todd Miller of Zeigler Build recently built this amazing three story container house, using thirty one brand new 40 foot shipping containers!

This spectacular four bedroom, four bathroom, 6,000 square foot home is located 5 miles away from the heart of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

5. Caterpillar House by Sebastián Irarrázaval

Caterpillar House is located in Lo Barnechea, Santiago de Chile, Chile, and was designed by Sebastián Irarrázaval.

The home overlooks a dry landscape, and was designed for an art collector, using twelve 20 foot and 40 foot shipping containers.

6. First Shipping Container House in Mojave Desert by Ecotech Design

Ecotech Design completed the first Shipping Container Home in the Mojave Desert in 2011.

Made with six shipping containers, the 2,300 square foot contemporary house was built for about $200 per square foot, including the foundation.

7. Eco-Friendly Crossbox House by CG Architectes

This project is a prototype of a three-dimensional modular and industrialized house, built with four 40 foot shipping containers.

The aim of this project is to build a low cost architect’s housing with high focus on environmental issues.

8. “Home Contained”, a Cozy Modern Home Made of Five Shipping Containers

Debbie Glassberg is the owner of the Home Contained, a 2,600 square foot modern residence located in Kansas City, Missouri, that was built with five shipping containers.

The final result is quite impressive: the home has comfortable living spaces, a green roof, geothermal heating, plant foam insulation and some passive solar.

9. Six Oaks Residence by Modulus

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Located in the hills of Felton, Santa Cruz, California, USA, this 1,200 square foot shipping container home was designed by Modulus Architecture.

The house was made with three and a half 40 foot partially prefabricated shipping containers.

10. Containerlove by LHVH Architekten

Designed by LHVH Architekten, Containerlove is a private residence made of three 40 foot shipping containers.

Located in Kall, Eifel, Germany, the structure sets it apart from its rural landscape, though its interior is warm and cozy.

11. Container House by Adam Kalkin

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The 12 Container House was designed by architect Adam Kalkin in 2003.

Located in Blue Hill, a small town in Maine, USA, the house was created by stacking twelve recycled 40 foot shipping containers in a T-shape.

12. Old Lady House by Adam Kalkin

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The Old Lady House is another modern shipping container house designed by Adam Kalkin.

The two story home located in Califon, New Jersey, USA, was built using nine 40 foot recycled shipping containers.

13. Maison Container by Patrick Partouche

French architect Patrick Partouche designed the Maison Container in 2010.

Located in the outskirts of Lille, France, this 2,240 square foot, two story house is made of eight 40 foot shipping containers.

14. Croydon Lane Residence by Studio Jantzen

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Architect Christof Jantzen, principal of Studio Jantzen purchased five shipping containers and extended an existing rustic 750-square-foot cabin on a 3.5-acre plot of land in Topanga, California, USA.

With builder Eric Engheben of 44 West Construction, Jantzen managed to complete the addition within four weeks.

15. The Sarah House in Salt Lake City

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Real estate broker Jeff White dreamed of transforming used shipping containers into affordable housing.

After two years of work, he built a 672-square-foot house, using two 40 foot shipping containers.

The house located in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, was put on the market in October 2013 with an initial price tag of $135,000, but didn’t sell at the time of writing.

Designed by studio James & Mau Arquitectura, Casa El Tiamblo is made of four 40 foot shipping containers.

This 2,045 square-foot residence is located in Spain and was completed within six months for a total budget of 140,000 €.

17. WFH House by Arcgency

Designed by Arcgency, this four bedroom contemporary home was made of three 40 foot shipping containers.

Located in China and completed in 2012, it is a prefab design based on principles such as sustainability, flexibility, and playfulness.

18. Upcycle House by Lendager Arkitekter

Danish studio Lendager Arkitekter completed the Upcycle House project in 2013.

It was built from two 40 foot used shipping containers and it is located in Nyborg, Denmark.

19. Shipping Container Guest House by Jim Poteet

Located in Texas, USA, this project is made from a standard 40 foot shipping container, stands in the backyard of renovated warehouse where the client lives.

It was designed by the architect Jim Poteet who had never worked with a container himself until the owner approached him about transforming one into a playhouse and a guest house.

20. Two-Tree House by Golany Architects

Designed by Golany Architects and located in Israel, the Two-Treehouse, which now appears to have grown there, actually began as a recycled shipping container.

It was constructed by applying prefabrication wherever possible, with all the interior finishes, insulation and structure completed off-site.

This weekend retreat by Studio Arte architecture & design is made of a single 40 foot shipping container.

It can also serves as a first home for a young couple, a shed for your guest or a home office/studio.

22. Week End House 2+ by Jure Kotnik Arhitekt

Instead of using recycled shipping containers for this weekend retreat, Jure Kotnik uses containers specially designed for housing.

This small modern container home is located in Trebnie, Solvenia.

Did you change your mind? Would you live in one of those container houses?

If so, let us know which one is your favorite.

Contents

  • 1. Containers of Hope, a $40,000 Home by Benjamin Garcia Saxe
  • 2. Shipping Container House by Studio H:T
  • 3. The Beach Box by Andrew Anderson
  • 4. 31 Shipping Container Home by ZieglerBuild
  • 5. Caterpillar House by Sebastián Irarrázaval
  • 6. First Shipping Container House in Mojave Desert by Ecotech Design
  • 7. Eco-Friendly Crossbox House by CG Architectes
  • 8. “Home Contained”, a Cozy Modern Home Made of Five Shipping Containers
  • 9. Six Oaks Residence by Modulus
  • 10. Containerlove by LHVH Architekten
  • 11. Container House by Adam Kalkin
  • 12. Old Lady House by Adam Kalkin
  • 13. Maison Container by Patrick Partouche
  • 14. Croydon Lane Residence by Studio Jantzen
  • 15. The Sarah House in Salt Lake City
  • 17. WFH House by Arcgency
  • 18. Upcycle House by Lendager Arkitekter
  • 19. Shipping Container Guest House by Jim Poteet
  • 20. Two-Tree House by Golany Architects
  • 22. Week End House 2+ by Jure Kotnik Arhitekt
22 Modern Shipping Container Homes Around the World (2024)

FAQs

What is the downside of shipping container homes? ›

Container homes can be loud. This is because they are made out of steel, which conducts sound better than many other common building materials. Heat. Container homes can be hot in the summer and cold in the winter, due to the steel, which is also very good at conducting heat..

How much does it cost to build a container home vs stick-built? ›

According to HomeGuide, the average cost to build and install a container home is $25,000 to $250,000. While that's no small chunk of change, it's significantly less than you'd expect to pay for a traditional house in most parts of the country.

What is the best foundation for a container home? ›

A pier foundation is a very popular foundation for shipping container homes and other permanent structures. It is very similar to a pile foundation. Cylindrical concrete piers (often reinforced with steel) are placed into the ground until they rest on compact soil.

Is it worth it to build a shipping container home? ›

Shipping container homes are durable but may lack the longevity that traditional houses have. A custom container home can last 25–30 years with proper maintenance, but a standard home generally lasts much longer than that, especially considering homes are passed down generations and still stand the test of time.

What is the life expectancy of a container home? ›

Because they were built to safely transport goods over long distances and often-harsh conditions, shipping containers are extremely durable, making them an ideal choice for homes. With proper care and maintenance, these homes can last decades - an average lifespan of 25-30 years.

Are container homes unhealthy? ›

Shipping container homes can be equally safe as traditional homes when proper construction and safety measures are implemented. Despite concerns about toxic chemicals and harmful paint coatings, there are ways to address these issues.

Is it cheaper to build a tiny home or container home? ›

In conclusion, building a traditional home or a tiny shipping container home can both be worthwhile investments depending on one's circ*mstances and needs. Traditional homes are more expensive but offer more stability, while tiny homes are cheaper but require more planning and effort.

Are container homes hard to build? ›

While the process of constructing a shipping container house may seem daunting, it doesn't have to be. In fact, with the right tools and a little bit of guidance, it is possible to build a shipping container house in just seven steps. Before beginning your project, it is important to do your research.

Are container homes strong? ›

Durability and Strength

As mentioned above, shipping containers are made of tough, corrugated Corten steel, which can withstand extreme weather conditions and constant movement. Thanks to its strong steel frame, walls, ceiling and floor, it won't bend or shift under the weight of its contents.

Are shipping containers tornado proof? ›

Reasons for those to consider a shipping container storm shelter include living in hurricane-prone regions and/or areas with large quantities of tropical storms and tornadoes. Steel shipping containers are manufactured to withstand wind, rain, snow, and ice!

Do you need concrete slab for shipping container home? ›

Concrete slab foundations make the best foundation for container homes. This is the most expensive option, but if you are looking to keep your home in the same location long-term it is a viable option.

Do you need a slab for a container home? ›

Soil Types Make an Impact

Thus, containers placed directly on the ground tend to sink in the long term (think months to years). However, a container placed on a hard substrate like granite may never need a foundation or a gravel pad, while a container in a bayou may always require concrete pilings.

Do container homes get hot? ›

Hot Climates

Shipping containers are typically made from steel which conducts heat very well, but in a hot climate, keeping a container cool is easy with a few smart design choices. Choose a larger-than-necessary roof to extend over the home, shading windows from direct sunlight.

Are shipping container homes safe in lightning? ›

Shipping containers are essentially metal boxes. Because shipping containers are made of steel, they will become conductors if hit by lightning. However, if a container is grounded, the shell will act as a Faraday shield and the electricity will be conducted around the outside without affecting its contents.

How long does it take to build a shipping container home? ›

Since you already have the appropriate infrastructure in place, the building time won't take as long. Contractors can build a container home in less than a month. Larger dwellings can be finished in a few months, while the smaller ones can be fabricated off-site in a shorter period of time.

Why do container homes only last 25 years? ›

When maintained properly, a shipping container can last upwards of 25 years or longer. The lifespan depends on the condition of the container and the environment in which it is kept. Although they are built to resist harsh climates, its' lifespan can be cut short by wetter, saltier climates.

Do container homes rust? ›

However, climatic conditions play an essential role in triggering rusting of such container homes. There are two types of rust that may show up on a shipping container house: Structural rust– this happens to those houses situated in areas with high humidity, high rainfall, and frequent fog.

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