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This story was originally published by Curbed before she joined New York Magazine. You can read all stories published up to October 2020 by visiting the Curbed Archive at archive.curbed.com.
Shipping containers have been used for everything from urban farms to stand-alone resorts and all-purpose swimming pools. Made from thousands of leftover shipping containers found on docks around the world, homes could be an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional building materials.
Proponents of shipping containers also value their durability and, in some cases, portability, even though moving containers can be time consuming and costly. While there are plenty of DIY plans out there, it can be hard to find the time to turn a utilitarian steel box into a comfortable abode.
Luckily, there are several companies that sell container houses – one of them is even available on Amazon – that can be delivered and assembled in as little as 10 weeks. Containers usually come in two sizes: 20 feet by 8 feet or 40 feet by 8 feet. The smaller of the two corresponds to approximately 160 square feet of living space, but the larger container gives you 320 square feet of space. This is the smallest small house, so some manufacturers also combine containers to build a larger house.
To help you decide which one is best for you, here are five shipping container homes you can order right now.
Key Feature: Alternative Living Spaces builds custom homes from shipping containers, allowing customers to choose everything from paint color to finishes. Amenities include air conditioning/heating, overlapping walls, barn doors, and the option to add a Murphy-sized queen bed. [More information]
Cost: According to their website, “The cost of a gonomobo depends on many factors, including location, scope of work, and site details.”
Key features: Alberta-based Honomobo builds several different model houses from shipping containers. HO# used three shipping containers woven together to form a bedroom, a kitchen with an island, and a 21ft front window to maximize light.
Honomobo’s largest shipping container home is a stunning 1,530 square foot three-bedroom, two-bathroom building. All Honomobo houses are built in accordance with local building codes and are usually set on solid foundations. [More information]
Key Features: Pasadena-based Kubed Living offers six different models made from recycled shipping containers. The smallest studio uses one 20-foot shipping container, while the largest studio uses a five-bedroom option that uses eight shipping containers.
The smaller unit, called Kubed 160, includes a kitchen with dishwasher and microwave, upper and lower cabinets, stove, oven, refrigerator, and even a pantry. Other amenities include ventilation and heating, five-foot closets for clothes and storage, and bathrooms with glass shower doors. [More information]
KEY FEATURES: Made from a 40-foot shipping container, this home from Custom Container Living used lap siding and painted pine to create a cozy and fairly spacious two-bedroom loft tiny home. The home comes standard with a five-foot bathtub/shower, washer/dryer combo and a full-size dishwasher, while about a third of the space is carved into a fancy covered porch. [More information]
Key Features: Houston-based Backcountry Containers builds several different container homes, including this model called the Rustic Retreat, which is designed to accommodate up to three people in a 20-foot shipping container. There is also a kitchenette, full bathroom, large sliding glass door and the company’s signature roof. [More information]
Each product is independently selected by editors. New York City may earn commissions on items you purchase through our links.
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Post time: Feb-15-2023