Artist builds his Savannah studio with shipping containers

Architect, artist, designer Julio Garcia had been designing plans for shipping container homes for a decade before he found the perfect place to build one: on a long, narrow stretch of his property in Savannah, Georgia. “I’m a big believer we should be adapting to the environment… I remember walking out and looking at the yard and thinking oh my god the land is calling for this linear design.”
He picked up two 40 foot shipping containers from the Port of Savannah and, thanks to much advance planning, he was able to install them without removing one tree from his property. He offset the two boxes, cut out the interior container walls and added I-beams, a shed roof and clerestory windows in the center to provide plenty of daylighting.
“There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re inside a container so in the design we had to address that. I’ve been in a couple of projects and they don’t function very well and you’re like, ‘Oh, I still feel like I’m in a metal box’.”
Garcia believes containers can make for affordable homes: “you could put up a structure like this for about 50K”, but much of the interior was salvaged from other job sites (i.e. the drywall and the kitchen). His Price Street Projects creates plans that are “almost do-it-yourself plans” for shipping container homes and he has installed commercial container spaces, but he’s a big believer that the site should determine the design.
pricestreetprojects.com/
Original story: faircompanies.com/videos/arti...

[@trancebot]

This is by far THE best utilization of shipping containers for home building. $50k is so doable.

[@hammatime94]

If you get a heap of stuff for free

[@sixsixseven2896]

Most of that price is foundation, it's really cheap to build multiple stacked

[@existextinct]

It's like 25k just to get permits for something like this.

[@zoesdada8923]

You can do it for less

[@zoesdada8923]

@@CS-zj8ex you're a moron. You obviously have no experience in construction.

[@bredlo]

The lofted area with those clerestory windows means everything here -- it transforms two dark containers - in a dark, wooded lot - into a light-filled, optimistic, even chic space. Well done, Julio Garcia (and family). Neat, neat home.

[@eylacuenca775]

Thanks Brad! Follow us on Instagram @pricestreetprojects

[@bredlo]

Gladly!

[@asa100]

You said it all! I saw many, this was the first one to appeal to me. The design and Job is awesome. Well done!!

[@justadudeintheworldman.120]

Absolutely, the center connector with the raised beams & windows is the key to this working

[@denisela3403]

Only a architect, artist, and designer could pull this off. His just pops out at you and it's beautiful, eccentric, blends in with nature, and looks FINISHED. Many do it and it looks ok but his looks polished. I love it.

[@PKedByBlade]

I freaking love these shipping container videos....

[@boothman9321]

My issue with them is their small width. Also it's a pain to run the wiring through them, insulate, dry wall/plaster and then fit the rest of your stuff in. What they did the video was pretty nice though.

[@PKedByBlade]

well.... theyre not for houses, so. I dont know why you would expect them to be so easy. But they make for some incredibly interesting structures.

[@barrythebrilliant2150]

+Beat Down They can be houses. Also to the comment before... our company does all that for the buyer so I guess others would too.

[@jaimejaimejaimejaime1135]

Saldus me 2 who's me 3

[@FLATSTONE]

I can't get enough, and you can also pet them side by side for more width dood.

[@dlg5485]

I love what he said about not wanting to hide the containers. I'm not a fan of container homes covered in cladding. It just adds cost, time and complexity to the build, which are the main advantages of building with containers. Plus I like the way they look. When I eventually build my container house, I'll probably paint them, but definitely want them to show.

[@MonAnthonyEra]

"Good design should not be expensive". I love that :)

[@briana14333]

"Good design shouldn't have to be purchased; you should work with what you find." YES! This home is perfect. I am IN LOVE!

[@Hodad3000]

Beautiful. I love his commitment to leaving the trees.

[@ahhwe-any7434]

I hate that he has hung on his house. That's so douchey to me

[@cossiewill9503]

This is one of my favorite container homes! Such simple design and it makes a fabulous space!

[@alteredcatscyprus]

That’s the way they used to build houses, where the land determined the layout.

[@May17760]

alteredcatscyprus so much more environmentally friendly ... less egotistical .. gets rid of that “let me destroy nature for my benefit” mindset

[@ericramos3416]

Absolutely perfect. Shipping containers have been on my mind for a while.

[@whitewolfwbrown6313]

I don't know what my trip is, I keep coming back to THIS ONE. I know I lived in the South for a bit, I LOVED IT THERE. I seriously just LOVE the wild Garcia chose to not only KEEP, but embrace with this project. I owned an Eichler in San Francisco for a while, so I love the plants, the glass, skylights all together. Very symbiotic feeling. I just adore this place.

[@asa100]

Thank you for bringing Eichler into our live. :)

[@kellykerrigan7529]

3 years later, this is still my hands down favorite!!

[@sira451]

Hands down, the best container home I've seen yet! The use of the skylights and I-beams is great! I would love to have the design for this one. Great work Julio Garcia!

[@carlosagonzalezquiroz.9735]

Elizabeth C I would recommend you to watch a KZbin channel called "living big in a tiny house" (y)

[@sira451]

Thanks! I've seen most of the videos on that channel, and will continue to watch. Thanks again!

[@eylacuenca775]

Thanks Elizabeth! Follow us on Instagram @pricestreetprojects

[@bradleylatham8184]

I love this concept of affordable housing. Not everyone is a millionaire for reasons. This is great.

[@treeoflife7151]

"good design shouldn't have to be just purchase, you should work with what you find." couldn't agree more.

[@Marko-od7eb]

"The site will predict the design" - nicely put.

[@JIANYM36]

Lol

[@philiq18]

I clicked so fast when I saw that there was a new video out! lol...I always enjoy seeing what people come up with design-wise using shipping containers. It's definitely an underutilised structure.

[@kirstendirksen]

Thank you. I am fascinated by shipping container construction as well. It forces creativity and I think Julio's work is particularly creative.

[@AMSabuncu]

More container videos, please! Thanks for this one, it was most enjoyable.

[@aperson2943]

Absolutely.

[@larrydavid3520]

Can't use wifi through the walls

[@libertyforamericanow]

how do you meet all the building codes?

[@rebeccagreene3271]

I have looked at thousands of tiny houses!! This is the best!! Absolutely stunning,!! I love it!!

[@Onch0912]

Love, love, love everything about it. A true marriage of quality design and nature. The fact that no trees were cut is a true manifestation of how you give back to mother nature that will take care of you in time. Love to have one like this.

[@chrissstttiiine]

This is incredible

[@ExploringAlternatives]

Great video!! I love the setting for that container house, so beautiful. All the windows also make it much brighter than other container homes I've seen :)

[@celexo]

Exploring Alternatives I

[@akindofmagick]

Must have a window over the kitchen sink, tho!!!

[@yesikaalvarez2154]

If anyone is interested in container home plans the greatest results that ive ever had was with the Magic Container Plans (just google it) without a doubt the most incredible info that I've followed.

[@KandMe1]

I looked at a lot of these container conversions lately. This is one of the better ones for sure. It's simple and adequate such a great idea to keep the doors as a wall that can be opened. The skylight linking the two containers is excellent also. I'm watching it again.

[@onechristianwallace]

Good design shouldnt have to be purchase or expensive...Pure wisdom.

[@JN-fy4zt]

I love this home, strong Mid-Century vibe. Well, thought out design. Everything doesnt have to be purchased ex: beams. Cabinets... Brilliant!!!

[@stashar.4535]

This is a Gorgeous home, simply beautiful

[@GORILLAZU]

I love how you really care for the environment. Not only reuse old container, also you cut no tree when move in container! 👏

[@lilianacastillo4663]

Definitely my favorite design of container homes.

[@fromcitytowild5013]

I've been waiting to copy this model for a home for years.Thank you for interviewing them! I've only seen a few photos and had to try and guess dimensions etc lol. Stoked on this video

[@DUDE72341]

wow..very nice! clearly not overdone..comfortable on both eye and wallet!

[@Vonlongmire]

After the pandemic, anyone else thinking about building an artist studio in their backyard!? HAHA Looks great! Dream studio space!

[@poerava]

Cool home. The discussion had the authenticity and personality of a wet blanket.

[@AlphaGiraffe420]

Thank you for all of these videos Kirsten. This channel is inspiring me and a ton of other people to live more efficiently.

[@godfatherNYC]

Man, that is cool! And, Savannah, omg what a beautiful town.

[@YouTuber-to6cj]

Yes, the outdoors definitely has a nice South America look. Very lovely home.

[@rosebudlime]

Wonderful Home, I think he really approached this perfectly. He made his home feel open and bright and the exterior raw and untouched. Beautiful Work!

[@ssawian]

Adapting to the environment by putting metal boxes in a beautiful forest

[@steamyb2]

IMHO- Because of hurricane surge, I would go with taller pylons and jack this up for a better view and to 'ride-out' those storms. I would have it bolted it to the pylons and welded all aspects together on those 'I' beams. A counter-weight elevator to move family and groceries, etc. from ground level to porch/house level would be handy and also allow for parking under the house. I love the reuse of a slated for demolition kitchen and the light from the clerestory windows opens up the whole inside. Love this house!

[@WeAreNotAlone69]

Yep, in areas that are prone to being flooded, such is advisable and it allows for parking cars, etc out of the sun which kills cars. Only downside is cost of maintenance of the structure is more as it's elevated. To offset that think about how you have better "views" and how security aspects of the structure are better than a conventional house... and during storms and the like it's more likely to hold together than a "Stick built structure" which after a storm or tornado looks like a bunch of sticks. Q: Anyone have any info on how ISO/ SeaBoxes?Shipping Containers hold up thru a tornado? .

[@lm.2398]

The elevator could also serve as a safe room.

[@yulloveyullove326]

It's sooo beautiful and peaceful. I love the interior. It's open and light.

[@PlanetMojo]

One of my projects at the moment is to make a container art studio for my daughter down in our woods overlooking a beautiful ravine.

[@rebaxplosion]

lucky girl!

[@abebenz3316]

I'm 5 minutes into the video and I'm completely in love with the house

[@thereisnopandemic]

That’s because you are a dumbass

[@weewaz]

Joseph Mauricio Flores with a comment like that, you’re obviously the dumbass. Suck it up puppy.

[@Un_Known_known]

My all-time favorite 🙌🏾

[@haylor4793]

probably the coolest shopping container house iv seen

[@randyjack77]

I lived in this container house, it was awesome other than the heat, which Julio fixed by adding insulation on the roof after I moved out. I loved it.

[@kevinmoseley1039]

Small for my taste but I love it. They’ll easily be able to expand on with a new container when the kids old enough to want space.

[@BellePoetesss]

Amazing.... If I decide to do this, When I'm ready to build mine, I will hire him and document the process.

[@Shazzys100]

Excellent - A Beautifully Deigned Space!

[@altriish6683]

Love the aged look of the shipping containers and the floors. Really cool stuff

[@StardustVibes]

want one!!! :-)

[@benjamingleason9616]

This home is awesome! I love that the containers still have their original paint from the boatyard! I would love to live in a home like this!

[@CatherineMoore888]

I am in awe of the implementation of the shipping container,

[@harleyshade9]

loved how they incorporated the natural beauty around the installation here first.... keeping some of the "industrial feeling" on the woodwork floors in the kitchen area side was also very appreciated here too, I LONG for the Hopes and asperations here to begin and complete something along these lines for my own family and myself as well :) TYVM for sharing your homes pictures / video and "inspiring others as well" :D

[@monkeycrow84]

this is alot like my idea of my dream house. Although id prob use another couple of containers for a studio and more rooms

[@ErikAndersonNorthStar]

Opens the container doors to the outside in Savannah. SO. MANY. MOSQUITOS.

[@sacdigitaldesignweb]

Not just that, giant palmetto bugs too.

[@angiethompson4050]

We DO have a LOT of mosquitos but there are times when we have that beautiful intracoastal breeze off the water when we don't.......

[@kalebponds5848]

Not mosquitos. Sand gnats!!!! 😲

[@charlie2639]

there is something so attractive to artists and just creative people that draws you to them in every way.

[@_luckicharms]

He did a fantastic job 👏 you'd never guess what was inside

[@michellegulden7243]

Maybe I missed it, but what did they do to ground this metal home, to protect from lightning?

[@mrpinkpony]

There’s something very organic about a shipping container in a forest. Idk what it is

[@eliasholenhannouch807]

The vegetation around is so beautiful.

[@sandrawolff3588]

I lived across the street around when a Julio built this. He is amazing and I love his philosophy. I’m now considering building my own container home, and had to come back to find this. Still inspiring me, Mr Garcia!

[@CrankyBubushka]

This is wonderful. I wonder how he got the zoning for that though...my city would never go for it.

[@perpetualmotion8090]

And there lies the whole problem with cities/municipalities dictating what kind of homes we can/can't have. Very disgusting.

[@shabazz360]

The design is very similar to "Containers of Hope" by Benjamin Saxe.

[@BlueEyesBrittany]

Good way to recycle and the place you chose too ... not to mention that with all the nature around it is a great place to raise a kid.

[@barrythebrilliant2150]

I work in building shipping containers and any design people want for a living in the Uk. Nice to see you have also decided to use this under appreciated home.

[@Kapok6]

dope

[@freeqtek]

Guy has an upside down noose hanging at his entrance and the word HUNG on the side of his place.

[@thaomay17]

I love the simplicity of the outside and the gorgeous design of the inside.

[@tannawannavannabittannawan7138]

This fits in beautifully with Savannah’s history and amazing, old architecture!

[@dizziemisslizzie9884]

I agree!

[@iilikeitlikethatii]

I want to know how these container homes are wired and plumbed!

[@davisssamuel]

Same bruh

[@dano7369]

Watch 'LifeUncontained' they are building a very similar design and have the step by step episodes on how they built, framed, wired and did the plumbing. The best part is they didn't have any prior building knowledge and get a lot of feedback from the viewers. Plus they're a great couple.. and now a family.

[@lenabramble4367]

Dan

[@linhgab]

kien hung container.. from Vietnam :)

[@mickeymcmoore5412]

You said it. We need to adapt to the environment. Not, we need to make the environment adapt to us. Wonderful design. Thank you.

[@sf5823]

'good design shouldn't have to be just with what you purchase, you should work with what you find' I love his design integrity...very true too, so much can be repurposed...Very successful project, really well thought...I like that he kept the containers in their natural state, well at least to a certain degree anyway. Fantastic designer! :-)

[@Miles9595]

who the fuck thumbs this shit down?

[@eylacuenca775]

Thanks! True! Follow us on Instagram @pricestreetprojects

[@BuzzMcCallister]

That open shipping container door thing is great and all but your house is gonna be flooded with no-seem-ums if you don't put a screen over it.

[@TheMusachioedBrony]

Buzz McCallister What is a "no-see-ups?"" Is that a real thing? I am up North and have never heard that word before. Is that a mosquito?? That's what I was thinking when he was talking in these lofty terms with the doors wide open and all around the huge sound of insects. Here you would be eaten alive all night long if you did that!!

[@TheMusachioedBrony]

Buzz McCallister just looked it up-sand flies. We don't have these where I live, but I have spent quite a bit of time in the Caribbean, and man, those sand fleas will bite the hell out of you and make your life a misery!!

[@bobtexan592]

yes NoSeeUms are very real... more commonly known as gnats in some places as well as sand flies in beachy areas. . they are those almost unseen bc they are so tiny flying bugs. Many times you dont know they are around till you breathe in a few thru your nose and freak out. lol.

[@BuzzMcCallister]

Bob Texan You feel them before you see them.

[@lowcountry1397]

I live 100 miles from there, we leave our doors and windows open spring and fall. Its not a problem with the right plants, garlic spray and being mindful some insects are crespular and are more active for an hr around dawn and dusk

[@lydiarowe491]

A dream like location..far from the maddening crowd feeling...the garden is such a sublime part of the well thought out structure..beautiful home..they belong together...well done..nothing else exists when you are in this space..that's what it feels like...🐦

[@Rhinoch8]

Mind = Blown. Looks like a futuristic ecological dystopia

[@andyy6481]

when it rains doesn't it get supper loud on the inside since the raindrop is bouncing off the metal top?

[@user-dj8gt6ik7c]

I would love that

[@Dumbledoresarmy13]

Oh i bet it does. And in Savannah, when it rains it POURS.

[@derekino9143]

simple guide for how to be an 'artist': "most people would do (x) ...so I did the exact opposite"

[@joanntukes5878]

This is gorgeous, the clean design and the location surrounded by all the gorgeous trees and plants

[@AmePajami]

Excellent. The floors and original paint outside.

[@user-bj4nu9yu3w]

Where I live shipping containers are $300 - $1000 each because they're just left behind. I really want to make something like this, but there's nowhere to build.

[@DePvdM]

You could look at places where you can build underground, or you can build on a site as a temporary building (they can easily be relocated). There are likely sites in your area which are not used for a while. Contact the owner to see if you can put your home beside it to protect the property. Simply a few out of the box idea's.

[@benjamingleason9616]

Where do you live?

[@Well_possibly]

Ask people with land if they would be willing to sell off a portion of it, like 1/2 an acre. Tell them what your idea is. People like to be a part of a successful project. It makes them feel good. I guess that is why we are here giving you ideas : )

[@love4lust7301]

so where do you live

[@HristosIisusEdomnul]

the fact is not where she lives and if some 'people with land ' will let her put her house there. it is all about the laws of the region. they invent rules to adapt the poverty and the need of the person to build with low-prices materials, so that u have all u need but u dont have he permission to do it. or other laws that put u in a state of depression. the governments adapt. even if we live in the trees and live a 100% bio life, they would invent something so that we cannot live our short life in peace. thats all. all we can do to stop these ugly people with their ugly laws , is to pray and be good. God will protect us somehow! my positivity and my optimism come from God, otherwise i would be dead ...

[@lynnlobliner3933]

While this is gorgeous, realistically, how many days out of the year can he open up the house to mosquitoes and other bugs? Also, while the artist wants to keep the original feel of the container (industrial) there's something it's-been-abandoned-in-the-forest about it. Not to mention that the humidity of that area is likely to take a toll on it much more quickly than he anticipates.

[@wanderingangelstudio1359]

I live in Goose Creek which near Charleston, SC. The humidity is brutal here. Also, the cost of cooling a metal box in the summer gets expensive; I don't care how well it is insulated. Just like Savannah, our weather is such that we have two growing seasons here.

[@lorrilewis2178]

I think the "abandoned in the forest" feel is due to the exterior retaining it's signage and weathering. If the metal was simply painted, it would elevate the whole look. That's my only quibble, because he did an outstanding job. It has such a nice atmosphere inside.

[@lowcountry1397]

Kerry Cutler they used spray foam, they're shaded, the unit is shaded and when building around Charleston, floor insulation is key to the envelope. 56R and up with Modern multi zone ductless units are pays for itself incredibly quickly. Dark paint on exterior metal isn't such a good idea if there's much sun exposure, though

[@indiracamotim2858]

OMG !!! You literally just showed me my dream house. I could literally dance with happiness 😊

[@Newtons_Ghost]

I like that he kept the word "hung" on the side of the container.

[@maddiehad]

Hi container builder people how do you deal or inspect containers for contamination of any sort ?

[@wagneryardstep2622]

Nose scan :)

[@ACCOMPLISHEDSHEIS]

He should have paint the exterior of the containers, but it's livable.

[@obsoleteoptics]

ME-Tube Your Space! He said he put a clear-coat on the existing exterior to preserve it.

[@Uranya]

best container house so far

[@brooklynforever1990]

One of the best I've seen. Simply beautiful!

[@desislayer8790]

he must of loved playing Legos growing up... lmao!!

[@palexanderrice]

the only thing I'd disagree with him about was the structural integrity of the containers. you can cut out a large portion of any container and the integrity won't change. their design carries the weight almost entirely on their corners, hence the reason why they can stack so high.

[@livinglife8333]

I don't know why but this really appeals to me.

[@Sitagram]

Your channel is truly a hidden gem. I get more and more inspired after each video. You are achieving your goal with this channel, one viewer at a time.

[@eyeheartfilm]

I want to live here. I'm packing now.

[@nvanhuu]

These container are from a Vietnamese logistics firm, Kien Hung

[@7spiritualcompass706]

I was wondering about that. Thank you for sharing that information. ❤

[@jabalimohamed1983]

Van huu nguyen let me guess you are dutnamese

[@7spiritualcompass706]

@@jabalimohamed1983 I hope that's not an insult. Only insecure and immature little minded people do that. I'm sure you don't fall in that category, and if I'm mistaken, my humble apologies. Much love. ❤

[@jabalimohamed1983]

@@7spiritualcompass706 what insult? I meant van is mixture of dutch and Vietnam no malice intended

[@7spiritualcompass706]

@@jabalimohamed1983 Ahhhh. My misunderstanding and my humble apologies to you. Thank you for correcting me. I now learned a new phrase. ☺. Peace. ❤

[@rigopinedagarcia]

This is the best container home design I've seen on the Internet, beautiful.

[@dianejarvis270]

WOW! This studio/living space is so beautiful and respectful of the environment. I wish I was clever enough to do something like this. Thanks for sharing.

[@sylvanenergy]

its so unfortunate that the laws around here do not allow any use of shipping containers or parts there of in non comercial zones.

[@masonkim7]

just curious. 'here' as in where?

[@sylvanenergy]

name Saskatchewan Canada

[@yomommastupid]

Yeah that's an element most people tend to forget. In Europe there are many restrictions to and unless you own your own land it is very difficult to just build and put sea containers. That's why I like the USA a lot. It offers that freedom.

[@bobanderson2895]

Once again city government gets in the way with their outdated building codes, they don't have a clue. (Planning dept.) "Gee, I've never seen anything like this before" Duh! I swear this is a nation of mindless Zombies.

[@chezmoi42]

Make it an issue in your cities and vote for people who will back creative housing solutions.

[@ai_zj]

Props to the cameraman having a seizure. The show must go ondlkajsdlkawjlkdsjd

[@akjam1]

Simply stunning and so full of light. I love how the wallls (windows and doors) allow for a blurring between indoor and outdoor. The living space feels open which allows for versatility in terms of use. The furniture can be moved around to accommodate function and mood.

[@badrinair]

thank you for sharing such wonderful videos of such great earth-friendly designs. I ma being inspired by these thoughts and architecture.