Ten Great Shipping Container Homes

Shipping container homes have been growing in popularity in the recent years, and they've done a great job penetrating many markets, in many parts of the world. Some companies have deployed them as a solution for affordable housing, while other architects have taken them into very upmarket areas and built luxury homes that will impress even the most discerning of homeowners.

Our staff has select ten of great samples of shipping container homes in all parts of the world, and in all price ranges. In no specific order, here are our favorites:

The Beach Box

Location: Amagansett, New York
Number of Containers: 6
Construction Date: 2012
Summary: The six repurposed 40' cargo containers have now been given a second life after being converted into a 2000' four bedroom, two and a half bath; with views of both Napeague Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. [Read more]

Sandwich Market

Location: Aonang Beach, Krabi, Thailand
Number of Containers: 2011
Construction Date: 4
Summary: Six containers make up this 2,400 square meter home/restaurant in Aonang Beach, Krabi, Thailand. It was built for a $39,000.

Modern Manifesto

Location: Curacavi, Chile
Number of Containers: 4
Construction Date: 2009
Summary: The goal of this container project was to quickly and inexpensively build a home completely out of repurposed materials. It's built out of four containers and wooden shipping pallets. The home is naturally cooled and the design allows for many different options to be constructed.

Multi-Container House

Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Number of Containers: 8
Construction Date: 2006
Summary: One of the earlier documented container homes built, this luxurious home in Redondo Beach, California makes a bold statement. The beachfront residence was constructed by DeMaria Design and Logical Homes using eight prefabricated, recycled shipping containers, one of which even functions as a swimming pool.

Cordell House

Location: Houston, Texas
Number of Containers: 3
Construction Date: 2009
Summary: Downtown Houston isn't know for residences, most of the area is commercial office space and most people leave the area every night to return to their homes. However, most people don't have a container home like this to return to.

Desert Container House

Location: Mojave Desert, California
Number of Containers: 6
Construction Date: 2011
Summary: The first of it's kind in the Mojave Desert, this home was built with eight reporposed shipping containers. The home is remarkably designed with many environmentally friendly features, such as a steel shade system, living roof, and a 10,000 gallon water storage tank.

Solar Container House

Location: Nederland, Colorado
Number of Containers: 2
Construction Date: 2012
Summary: Completed in 2010, the 1,517 square foot container home in Nederland, Colorado is a two story living space book ended by two shipping containers. Designed to incorporate the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain, the home is designed to be completely off grid. It’s powered by a combination of solar orientation, passive cooling, a green roof, wood pellet stove heaving, and photovoltaic /solar panels. [Read more]

Silver Lakes

Location: Silver Lakes, South Africa
Number of Containers: 4
Construction Date: 2012
Summary: A great residence build in Silver Lakes, South Africa, this home was built out of four recycled containers with the goal in mind of "reduce, reuse, recycle".

Six Oaks

Location: Santa Cruz, California
Number of Containers: 4
Construction Date: 2012
Summary: Three and one half cargo containers that entered the world intended for international shipping have been given a new lease on life as a mountain retreat in the hills near Santa Cruise, California. [Read more]

Quebec Container Home

Location: St. Adele, Quebec
Number of Containers: 12
Construction Date: 2009
Summary: Architectually unique and inexpensive was the goal of the architect when designing this container home, mission accomplished. The four bedroom, 3,000 square foot home was constructed for $175,00.