$1,800 used shipping container as architects' backyard office

Shipping containers are built to carry huge loads and the refrigerated units are very efficient at climate control. So it's unsurprising that when they're retired from the sea, they're being used as the building blocks for homes and offices.
Given their strength they work well in earthquake country. In Berkeley, California architect Karl Wanaselja and his business partner and wife Cate Leger created their home-office using a shipping container. It cost just $1800.
Wanaselja and Leger cut their 40-foot long refrigerated unit in half and placed it in a T shape in their backyard (with the help of a crane). They didn't need to add any insulation: they're designed to not have any thermal bridging between the interior and exterior and the polyisocyanurate insulation has the highest R-value of any foam insulation.
Using a sawzall (reciprocating saw), the couple cut huge windows into the aluminum/stainless steel structure. Wanaselja says he was initially intimidated by the idea of crafting out of aluminum (the exterior material) and stainless steel (interior), but "once I got over my learning curve I actually like working with metal".
In this video, the couple talks about working in a cargo container, using materials like the soy-based plywood floor (Purebond) and the music made by rain and branches on a metal roof.
On *faircompanies: www.faircompani...

[@KuyaBillRomjue]

It is nice to see what an Architect is doing with one of these. The more I see these articles about the use of shipping containers the more interesting the idea becomes. There are a lot of really creative homes being created just by regular folks. This is cool, Thank You for sharing this.

[@sunbugs]

I'd recommend hiring an architect to make it beautiful!

[@iolo9982]

Id recommend a gardener lol

[@nanugaqderamo]

Words cannot describe how much I love this video. I've been researching container architecture for a while in hopes of creating an off the grid home soon. THANK YOU for the tip on stainless steel refrigerated containers from the Port of Oakland! AMAZING RECYCLING / UPCYCLING OPPORTUNITIES!!! :)

[@Hippabellita]

I agree, it's the best container project video, I have seen. Very informative and helpful. I thought of this studio with every containership passing me in Hamburg in the last weeks ;-))) I would love to have one in my garden ... still contemplating if we should use a container for the addition we want to add to our house soon. ;-)))

[@bredlo]

Thanks for the peek into this fantastic space, Kirsten. I have a friend who uses one (no modifications) to protect a dozen or so of his collection of 30 antique canoes. I think beyond these particular containers' usefulness... they can also serve to inspire us to re-examine at all kinds of leftover products. From cobbling together an old bicycle to converting barns into homes... there are some inventive opportunities there if we're looking.

[@ChrisSlack]

Great container! An insulated container sounds like the way to go!

[@longp2000]

this is the best shipping container video I've seen because of the great info.

[@LadyShyye]

oooooh lOVE that it's an old refrigerated unit. That insulation must be devine in the hot weather. would have love to see HOW the electrical and plumbing is actually put in.

[@ChazEvansdale]

@cinexploits I understood the configuration right away. Lets see if I can share my knowledge. Think 40" container cut it not in half but about 2/3rds one piece (A) 1/3 the other piece (B). Now place B's open end facing the side of A in an "L" shape. Have A's open face face away from B (A's open end is where they put the slider and "sign" wall). Next cut the doors. One was in B as the entrance. Another was in A's side wall where they placed B's open face towards.

[@2011Awaken]

I'd love to get my hands on about 9-10 of those and a 10 acre piece of land. Very earth-friendly, and strong for protection. Fairly bulletproof, depending on the caliber weapon someone might have. Good video!

[@frankfromupstateny3796]

Kirsten...you're right...you're videos caused you to "stumble onto" a new and interesting career....nice videos. I can see working with this guy...building these cargos for others all around the area at first...then working to 'ship them out' (no pun) around the country. Great business idea.

[@ChazEvansdale]

I love the "L" shape idea with deck-type area outside. It gives it a quaint and cozy feeling. With the two sides you could create privacy if needed, as opposed to a wall to break up areas if it was just one strait container. Very cool idea.

[@danzak44]

There is a video of a container home here on youtube in which they cut out the entire wall and put it on hinges and when it was in the down position it was the patio, when it was in the up position it was used to guard against bad storms, and or break ins. Wish oyu luck on your build and it would be awesome if you record your build.

[@raymondo162]

Well, looking at this video, I don't think I'll be requiring his services as an architect !!

[@SHER7067]

I love it! I retired from pulling those containers! Never thought of living in one, but is a thought. ;)

[@keehnernykk]

I enjoy watching your videos. The production and editing portray an air of calm and I feel satisfied that I have experienced the project with your mix of close up and over views. May I suggest a wider angle lens for some of your interior shots? Thank you for devoting your talent in such a generous way. Please keep up the good work. BTW my Grandpa's company built the first forty containers for California Container Corp. which lost the patent after a couple questionable deals with Matson and APL.

[@DenaStevens]

I love the idea of re-purposing the shipping containers. It would be better if they never existed to begin with, but since they already do exist why not find good uses for them. My mind is clicking away for ideas on how I might use one. I wonder if local building inspectors / counties have issues with them being used like the example in this video?

[@bearbait2050]

Dena Stevens storage?

[@kirstendirksen]

They live near the Port of Oakland so I believe they bought it through one of the shipping outfits out of the port. I also know of people who have bought containers online on sites like ebay.

[@AndroidAndr3w]

I want to buy ten shipping containers build a house out of them. This is soooo cool.

[@kirstendirksen]

@tgseason12 It's a Sony HVR-Z5U. Not cheap, but I've had it for 3 years so far and it shoots a nice HD image.

[@davidhutchinson6377]

I've seen them laid over foundations with basements. very cool.

[@kirstendirksen]

@c33r0k33 They did talk about it.. I just didn't edit that in as there was such much great stuff to cover and it didn't seem as related to the house. They love it. They say they cook a lot of their food in it and that it works well.

[@KlunkerRider]

Using a reefer container gets around the biggest problem using standard containers, the insulating of them, which either has to be furred wall w/ either batt insulation which shrinks the interior area or using high density spray foam. With foam you can use a thinner wall but its messy. The other problem I have is that the ceiling/roof on most standard containers is just too low, I would rather look for the newer High Cube containers which are 9'-6"' high but they are also alot newer so there far fewer of them going to scrap, plus I dont know if any HC containers are reefers.

[@dothedeed]

Yeah - it was a brilliant move getting one already insulated.

[@keehnernykk]

You might try looking into sprayable ceramic coatings. Dynamat might also prove efective.

[@egesajesse]

My sentiments exactly I plan to use two reefers for a house. I think it will save up a lot on insulation... I live in a tropical climate... it never really gets cold... but does get quite hot at times... as for the high cubes yes there are quite a number available now... but i see your reply is old... should have become more available in your area by now... :)

[@KlunkerRider]

+jesse e if you're in a hot climate consider adding a secondary roof over the top and sheathing the container in something like wood to act as a sunscreen. the steel shells of these containers get very very hot in direct sunlight and even if insulated can transfer that heat to the interior.

[@egesajesse]

+KlunkerRider Thanks... I do plan to add the wooden screen on the exterior... with perhaps creeper plants or vines growing over these... As for the secondary roof... i considered that but thought a platform which would act as a deck might perhaps be more useful... that and add several potted pants/mini garden in the space I won't be using up there... In any case both plants and platform will be slightly raised above the roof of the reefer... perhaps with about 6 inches of clearance...

[@kirstendirksen]

@coolerow I don't think so, but I know a lot of people in the Bay Area get secondhand windows from the architectural salvage place Urban Ore. They have beautiful stuff from what I've seen from some of the homes in my videos.

[@PorcelainShrine]

Wow those shipping containers would make great houses actually just from the specs and toughness they're made to withstand. A 3x3 stacks on container would make a decent apartment to live in.

[@nneisler]

I love it! Really great video guys. It inspires me to build one myself.

[@coffeeexmachina]

They're designed to withstand the weight of several more containers stacked on top. Since he's chopped it up it wouldn't hold the same amount as an intact container, but it probably would still hold several tons of evenly-distributed weight.

[@dalundan]

Thanks 4 the video, I am in the process of creating plans for my insulated shipping containers vacation home down in the Caribbean and i have a few ???'s 1: How do you run the electricity? inside the walls? I was thinking run the wires on the inside face of the container, then cover it with drywall? 2. since i will be joining 3 containers together, and cutting out an entire side of a container, can i use that cut out wall as an interior wall perpendicular to the length of the container?

[@danzak44]

They have a sun ove in the court yard in the last shot! Great video, the guy did a great job. He mentioned how the insulation was made of plastic and better than traditional foam insulation, why not use recycled plastic to make insulation for traditional homes?

[@davidbrown8303]

You could make a out side wall around it to make it look more house like. I'm sure they have outside wood panels for trailers that would give the look of a house.

[@jsbrooks72]

How/what tools did they use to cut the shipping in 1/2? This is a cool concept thank you for sharing.

[@debsellstexas]

They make awesome houses too!

[@obfuscated3090]

You can buy forty-foot used 9'6" High Cube sized reefers as shown in the video near most seaports with some searching. Many dealers advertise on Craigslist. They are typically delivered by tiltbed "Landoll" trailer. They only require support under each end which is how they are designed to be connected aboard ship. No need for a full foundation.

[@holyidea-logisticsequipmen2871]

hey, we sale used & one trip(new) shipping containers in US and Canada, contact me if you need to buy

[@Dancorcoran68]

Also, how thick is the insulation? Polyiso is ~R-7 per inch, I'm guessing it's 2", so still less than R-21 required here in WA state. Maybe 1-1.5" rigid could be added to the interior w/ wood or drywall over 2x2s, that would allow for wiring too.

[@rwe1havasu]

That sounds about right. Do you know if they ever just put down a layer of gravel or some railroad ties? Thanks.

[@a2zhandi]

Great office!

[@StrawberryPhys]

I'm really thinking now.... hmm tiny home or container? That is so cool!

[@HunterMann]

I'm sure in NJ port area near NYC there must be many of them for sale. When figuring out your budget, get a quote on the trucking. They will charge load & unload fee, plus per-mile fee.

[@warsameadam5572]

I was looking into buying a standard ISO 20FT shipping container for a architects temporary home during construction. I guess its worth looking into insulated containers. Food grade Aluminium! like the sound of that!

[@zeei2620]

don't

[@kmccampb]

Does anyone have suggestions about finding land once the container house is complete. Either for purchase and inexpensive or permission to park it?

[@scorpionkings]

I love their shipping container house, I would live in one of these houses in a second if I could afford all it take financially have one and make it look nice!!!

[@Bigtruck2007]

Nice vids. Can't get enough!

[@Sashadigsweed]

I think its time I stop dreaming and take action. Time to actually do something. There is an older camper for sale near to me. I might purchase it and start the downsizing/re-learning process by living in it while making the personal decisions about whatever it ends up being that I decide to create in the meantime.

[@SquirrelFromGradLife]

I'm actually working on a design for a shipping container inside a shipping container that slides out which makes it movable. Two of them side by side at an angle with a courtyard and patio in between.. a fully self contained unit with utility room, generator, solar panels, inverters, water collection and storage and tratment, a biomass gasifier for heating, electricity and possibly bio diesel production via the Fischer-Tropsch process.. no kidding...

[@warsameadam5572]

Interesting! I'm currently working on temporary shelter using standard ISO 20ft shipping container. I will be using it as temporary home during a construction project in East Africa. Maybe we could exchange ideas.

[@BrickJunkies]

Nice office.... Also like the Carver receiver. Don't see too many in KZbin videos. CarverAudio com

[@Srd1126]

Electric looks easy, just run in conduit if you leave the inside bare like these people did or frame out finished walls if you like. Plumbing similar, but have the sewers lined up before you lay it into place

[@robbojr11]

Could u see how they did the framing for doors and windows? Want to put a door in but unsure how to attache frame to the container itself. Only want the one normal door at end where the original doors are but recessed so original can be used if it ever needs moving

[@coolerow]

@iwasborntobefly yea but that isnt a regular rusty steel container. Outside is aluminum and inside is stainless steel. In weight alone those materials are significantly more expensive especially the stainless.

[@Dancorcoran68]

I'd be interested to know more about the roof - does is slope to one side? Did you add a roof over it? Gutters?

[@ClovisRothchild]

WOW!.. I am intrigued. But also wondering why is this not a Portlandia episode? I want a kick ass cheap container home..As long as it has a basement.. Fur turnaders N such

[@dphotos007]

I really like the house they built and the shipping container idea is very cool. The only thing I noticed is the natural landscaping around the container needs work. Kind of looks like it is unkept with weeds growing around the container. I love natural landscaping but it has to have a flow to it or a working design. They are designers so I wonder why they did not put much effort into the landscaping design. Gardens are important too. This is just my opinion.

[@pahwraith]

Which is cheaper? A small container cabin or a small 8x10 cabin? With The demand of scrap steel is pushing up the price of these containers so I think the small cabin might win out in the long run. So if you want a container cabin, I would do it soon.

[@NouveauSpinster]

Now here is a building I can wrap my mind around....in terms of snow...I wonder what the weight load on the roof is, since it's flat.

[@milainsanfrancisco]

My husband and I are planning to build our residence out of shipping containers. I study Architecture and in my last project (city infill multi-residential mixed use on 250 000 sqft flat lot. I was interested to make the studios affordable and designed with shipping containers. It was so much fun, I love shipping containers! :) The only problem I see is the building department (Oakland, Montclair district)and permitting.Any suggestions?

[@HunterMann]

Since it can take a lot of weight on roof, and he had a crane there to set in into the yard, he could have placed a second one on top, maybe a reverse T of the ground floor?

[@HunterMann]

I think it rode on ships then was placed onto flatbed big rig trailer then hauled. Also may have crossed the US many times by rail.

[@scdefion]

You can do it with a sawzall and and or a torch , oxy-aycetelene.

[@modblogger1]

how much would it to buy one of these and make into the unit shown in the video with all the necessary light fixtures, windows, doors, etc?

[@mottykoi]

Very nice!

[@HunterMann]

Because they are in demand now, the market price has risen. I've never seen any sell for $50, but many that were sold 10 years ago for $500.

[@andrewtownley1565]

You can use the reefer ones recreationaly in Colorado now.

[@c33r0k33]

curious... did they discuss their solar oven that was in the video?

[@lraffucci]

any videos on large shipping container homes?

[@IlluminatedWhiteGuy]

Worried about the formaldehyde in particle board but are OK with the cyanide in the insulation... Neither of the 2 are dangerous unless you plan on grinding it up and doing bong hits with several pounds of the stuff...lol Cool project though... Nice video...

[@paulleckner3794]

Sounds great! I live in central California. Would love to have one on my 2 acre lot in the Mojave Desert. Prices. Prices. Prices.

[@blainemitchell]

I don't understand the cutting it in half... I see that her end is the longer one but what is the yellow wall they used to close off the open end?

[@lenkachandrikafrank8299]

I would like to know, did you have to get any permits to do this magic? And how does it work with property taxes?

[@coolerow]

@kirstendirksen Hi kristen, did he by any chance say where he purchased his windows?

[@WoundedEgo]

That's a very healthy Rosemary plant!

[@lancetop]

fabulous

[@mnrbrt]

Really nice use of a container, but I liked the house version better.

[@Promarketme]

Very cool... I was thinking of doing this myself here in FL... Was it hard to get the permits for the shipping container office space?

[@arqamkhan99]

+Pro Market Me Inc. interesting points ,if anyone else wants to discover build a shipping container home try Jaffacter Container Home Coach (do a search on google ) ? Ive heard some super things about it and my buddy got excellent results with it.

[@deltafour1212]

What an eye sore. I bet the neighbors love this thing

[@Gell1welt69]

@AndroidAndr3w Buying 4 or 5 and the expand the house when the money allows it would be nice too. I like the idea of this modular buildung

[@stattoo32]

How did they connect the two containers and make them leak proof?!

[@navtel]

nice job, cool idea

[@charlienelson69]

How did you run plumbing and electrics?

[@77Tadams]

Love it!

[@iwasborntobefly]

i think $1800 is too much considering those damaged containers would just sit around in a container yard. people who want those containers are doing the previous owners a favor by taking them. i would imagine buyer also has to pay transportation costs too - i wonder how much that is. after purchasing, transporting, and renovating, i would imagine the costs are well over the paying price. maybe i'm wrong though...

[@mulus2008]

if you had the window there and tools how long to re/re?

[@Dot0011]

huge benefit would be in fire prone areas

[@coolerow]

FINALLY! A container home with STYLE!

[@ThePenatron]

is that a bee box on the ground at 2:34?

[@uncomelon]

@kirstendirksen I love the comsept of making a home from cargo container. But how does the building inspector work around this?? what law protect you to build it, some times the are a pain in the butt..

[@paulleckner3794]

$1800.00 for the container. How much for delivery to Rosamond, CA, in Kern County, CA.

[@georgewu5]

Buildings with one stories high belongs to yesterday. That is why I don't even bother to design anything much of one story structure. Building smaller units? Definitely ! But building one story structure for the use for one family? My answer is no. We must think in terms of multiple housing. Otherwise, by the time we finished the building, it is already out of date to be useful. George Wu, AIA 2012-8-16

[@LibertyMadison]

The port has TONS,they could hv given a better deal than 1800

[@stattoo32]

There are companies that provide and ship these containers, I just googled to find one.

[@evelina.amazonAtGmail]

Awesome job!

[@ironralph5359]

yea Very nice. Good Job.

[@LiGTY]

Dang it why do I have to not have work xD im 16 and I wish I lived alone so I'd get no complaints or anything like that

[@gewglesux]

hey, thanks for the reply.... i was curious...

[@christinepeace]

I believe you go to auctions for seacontainers so just bid on the one you want.

[@OLMEQ]

How is it cooled now since the refrigerated system has been removed?

[@goldsilverandiamonds]

Saeef Bey It's in the Bay Area of California, it rarely get's hot. Most houses have no air conditioning. The weather is generally cool to mild year round and enjoyable. It does get windy and foggy and on the cold days you'll want to bundle up.

[@trichometrist1]

permits involved?

[@mulus2008]

as container vid/s I like this one.

[@Holden599GTB]

Really cool. Only thing that bothers me is, its not a shipping container (technically). Its a tractor trailer. lol

[@hotflash8044]

Great idea but the clutter would drive me nuts!

[@paadams8778]

James, Any contacts on the east coast?

[@VF1Skullangel]

I'm looking to build one of these here soon. Fuck buying a regular house!

[@nneisler]

It's insulated, so from what I've heard not hot at all.