Earth-cooled, shipping container underground CA home for 30K

[@edwardhancock16]

I highly recommend Steve Rees' book, "Off Grid and Underground: architecture for a simpler life," if you are thinking about doing anything close to his project. I think it is a great resource and will save me time, effort and a lot of money when I do my underground house. This video helps me better understand what is in the book,too. Thank you !!!

[@BojkataGreenMan]

Hi, how can I buy his book ? Thanks :)

[@anon9579]

Got a link?

[@carltaylor4942]

Hi Steve, I live in a cave in the South of Spain and last year I spent about 60 Euros on fuel for the wood-stove all year. Almost no fires and no air-conditioning. The walls are one-metre thick solid rock. The cave cost as much as a decent car. Property taxes are about 60 Euros a year, too. Fantastic - it's just so cheap. There are thousands of caves in the area I live in - I believe mine used to be used to keep donkeys in in the winter, but I now have all modern amenities including fibre-optic broadband!

[@Ronnie-c3l]

I hope all is well with you and that you're still living the inexpensive life. God bless you and your family...

[@carltaylor4942]

@@Ronnie-c3l - Thank you and yes, I am. Hope you are, too.

[@kirstendirksen]

To those of you who have questions for Steve, he has given me permission to give out his email address: [e-mail]

[@garrydavis6377]

Drag racing 1958 Pontiac

[@margaretcobble6250]

nomadichronicle

[@lorezyra]

That email address does not appear to be valid. Is there a way to get Steve's eBook in EPUB format? I'm not big on heavy, paper bound books.

[@depsypher4531]

Specifics only. With water fall throughout seasons it is noted "Intermodal Freight Containers" are not designed for pressure on ceiling, floor, front-door-rear will cave-in. Did Steve have any bending metal from weathered dirt pressure in top and lateral side of his "Intermodal Freight Containers"...??? I am very excited with this video, excellent! Love This Video....

[@lynnlobliner3933]

I'm not sure I'm answering your question correctly but in the video he shows how they put a reinforced cement roof over the two containers, transferring the weight to the corners of the containers. That cement most likely would shed the water to the gravel sides and under for disbursement.

[@useein2me]

YES, Kirsten shows INCREDIBLE sites! This is one of the best, eco living situations I've ever seen. 30K is my budget and I would love 2 live in a place like this. I have NEVER had my own home & at 61 yrs old, places like this give me a bit of hope. I search all types of sites and I don't know if I'll ever find my home... THANKS Ms. Kirsten

[@SiskinOnUTube]

I saw an article about something similar done with containers in the Netherlands. It's had an appeal to me ever since. I'm so jealous of that home. Great work.

[@durimmiziraj4815]

Truly inspiring. A tip: You can buy a a partial container that only consists of the bottom part. If you put that on top of your home container, then you don't need to create a slab that shifts the weight to the corner posts.

[@iiicuuubreathingfullyoohoohooh]

wow, you did that. thx for the additional 411 on an underground city in turkey. "just let the earth do the work" love that idea.

[@SEMPERFL0RENS]

"You just let the Earth do the work." Yes! Permaculture for the win! Love this guy. Thanks, Kirsten.

[@lemmingslive3843]

he said that after or before pouring 2 tons of concrete?

[@uncledavesfrontier6846]

So true. My cabin is underground. No ac needed.

[@PH1M0]

Very grounded design ( I couldn’t resist)! Using the earth to help control temps is a great idea , congrats 👍

[@DavidGarcia-nw3xu]

There is something so satisfying about digging deep holes.

[@michelleperez3272]

Scared of you. Lol

[@razony]

I can think of a few guy's who don't feel the same way as you...and you them!

[@DavidRodriguez-qi1ps]

That's what she said

[@ChazEvansdale]

I WANT THIS! :) Such a cool house, literally and figuratively. Surprised with all the excavation, cement, and two tall containers that it was so inexpensive.

[@kirstendirksen]

+Chaz Evansdale I think it helped that the excavator gave him a bit of deal because he thought it was a cool project and wanted to see how it was done. It also kept costs down because he was able to do most of the other work himself (and with family/friends).

[@hollyh-zw1yb]

+Kirsten Dirksen Just love it. We have a container my folks bought 15 years ago, we are going to try this.

[@paulhendrix8599]

+hollyh1969 awesome.

[@TheLoobis]

+Paul Hendrix That's what I was going to say. With a "Fuckin" at the beginning

[@ganjamaan420weedmaan4]

me 2

[@valerief1231]

I am addicted to your videos, each subject intrigues me. After watching each video I make up my mind, "I'm gonna do that!" Thank you for your pleasant interactions with your home owners. I hope you never run out of people and places!

[@JoshuaSmithHomesteader]

Kirsten great video. I really enjoy your documentaries. Thank you so much for taking the time and sharing. All the best to you and the family. Cheers from Ontario Canada!!

[@playaspec]

I've been dreaming of doing this for ages. Great to see it in action.

[@dredrotten]

I like his dog, it's a beauty. I don't know why more people don't live underground, it just makes sense! I'm heading out to the backyard now with my shovel. I will heed his advice and install 3 containers.

[@coltonp1370]

Success?

[@dennisjpoleyjr8713]

I thought the cargo containers wouldn't hold up underground, I like how you solved the issues . The containers are cheap, but not made for the weight in the middle of the roof and sides, and being metal corrosion is an issue. The drainage, insulation, and the concrete slab over head to distribute the weight looks like it will work well...you did have a bulldozer on top !

[@frogsoda]

Great info. I think I would start with a refridgerated container. They're already insulated.

[@phillhuddleston9445]

+frogsoda Good idea but what is the wall thickness on them and how expensive are they?

[@reeblesnarfle5443]

AND WIRED!

[@MuShinnen]

@CryptoCrackerGood thing no one asked you.

[@marycompogno5665]

That's really neat! I like the idea of the underground home and the natural heating and cooling benefits that come with it from Mother Earth.

[@xWithBrokenWingsx]

This is still the best channel on KZbin

[@oliverburke]

What I'm growing increasingly fond of, having never really seen it before, is the double camera action. Now there is a ticklish pleasure in moving from both types of cameras and seeing both perspectives within seconds. To know they are family partners makes it even nicer. It's signature for these guys and I'm liking it more and more. It makes me feel like this IS one of the best channels on KZbin. I feel very "home" watching it and reading great community comments like the one above :).

[@Naturelover00023]

This is an awesome idea. I live in the hills so I can see something like this home on a piece of land around here. Thank you Kristen and thank you Steve for sharing a look into the building of your home.

[@herab9554]

I love this idea and Steve’s logic. Thank you for sharing what a neat couple!

[@undredrawn3419]

A friend of mine who is an HVAC guy is using geothermal in his home to heat and cool it. Although he is in a conventional home on his 10 acres he has a lot of flexibility to do some unconventional stuff. This idea this man put into action is what my wife and I talk about if we lived in "tornado alley" out there in the mid-west. They're always rebuilding when that on devastator comes through. If people out there built like this there would be less damage. Just build your home underground with 6 or 12 containers. You might even find some intuitive ways to build barn housing/shelter for your livestock. Shucks, even food storage would be an idea too.

[@carameld1121]

Would love to know more about it! Are you in CA?

[@RunFromHumanContacts]

Undre Drawn yhank u!!! I say the same thing. They should do this when tornadoes are prevelant. Less rebuilding Even ur car can be underground. Perhaps they arent allowed to have whole homes tho. So happy to see someone else finally say it!

[@lasagnapepeeno]

There's a lot of engineering that goes into making underground homes safe. Shipping containers have to be heavily reinforced, ventilation and water drainage systems have to be installed. The deeper you go the greater the engineering challenge becomes.

[@reeblesnarfle5443]

I LIKE the way you think! An underground barn... I'd LIVE in it! I just do dogs right now.... 😏

[@killerbeau95]

its probably more expensive or some crap even though it would never get destroyed.

[@jcb0249]

Give that man a prize! I would've probably never thought of planing the 2x4s for the walls. I would've been punching holes in the metal, So a Big Thank You for the video!

[@peterboyet7541]

In Iraq we used shipping containers for just about everything. From workshops to bunk houses. We would cut 2X6 boards 1/8 or 1/4 of an inch larger than the vertical measurement of the container. Place them where we wanted like studs then beat them into place with a hammer. This created anchors for us to start building with wood. The steel is flexible enough to accommodate 1/8 to 1/4 inches without being damaged. They were immovably solid, to remove to the 2X6 anchors we had to cut them in half

[@the1realanalogman]

It would be interesting to add a 3rd, above ground container stacked on one of the below ground ones. With a spiral (or some form of) staircase for up/down access. It could be designed for improvised living space and have patio doors opening to a patio/garden area. The stacking would not present load issues and this above ground and open area would present myriad possibilities for optional, more "natural" living scenarios.

[@MG.50]

the1realanalogman -- Search on "shipping container houses" and you will be amazed at all the configs that have been designed.

[@jimh4167]

If you orintated the upper container east to west... To the south side of that container you could have a green house Could really blow up your square footage

[@ACCOMPLISHEDSHEIS]

Finally a underground decor home that makes sense.

[@tonymengela]

+ME-Tube Your Space! have you seen earthships?

[@ACCOMPLISHEDSHEIS]

No. You can provide me the links of you like.

[@tonymengela]

search earth ship in the search bar above in your you tube search or google, much faster than what I can reply to you

[@jerryschutte6970]

I am consistently amazed at Man,s Ingenuity. I absolutely LOVE this Trend of small, cheap, and energy saving homes. I really enjoyed watching Thank you!!!

[@0uiallo]

I used to work in similar settings, where we grew medicinal mushrooms in burried container rooms 3×3 wide. They had a lot more dirt covering them and no walls between them, just posts. And I recon it works beautifully if moisture is controlled. The whole thing was lined a bit more outside and cement sprayed smooth inside. Didn't look like containers at all.. I've had the same idea for a house, except my plan would have a burried 15 000L water tank or sitting on it, accessible as a 2nd floor.

[@yvettelewis4225]

AWESOME home Brother Steve! I met you at Hannahs last week. I'm SO BLESSED by Calming Harp. Thank you. Yvette

[@roydavidson5202]

Man that dude's house is just awesome!!!

[@garlandremingtoniii1338]

Lady you have AN, “ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING” Channel!! We looked it over, Looked over several other videos that we are definitely gonna watch!!! Bravo! 👏 Bravo!!👏 Bravo!!! 👏

[@aquasight1019]

'Really appreciate your sharing of information and experience Steve. Your home is so practical and aesthetically fits into the natural environment so much better than traditional houses. I hope California doesn't hassle you or those that will surely follow your lead.

[@imaacehole9577]

Best video I've ever seen for practical solutions with building a crate home underground. Will be buying his book, too.

[@tommcfadden2226]

To combat rust try cathodic protection. Its been used on the Alaska Pipeline for decades.

[@VenturiLife]

Can be done, cementing it in on all sides helps a lot, because when the concrete covers the steel it seals, there will be some inevitable light rust, but it stops when the air is consumed by the rusting process completely. Then cover it with earth. Also helps keep moisture from getting at the steel. Zinc anodes tapped into the steel can stop the rusting process, but they'd need to be accessible to change them.

[@Kintepro]

Kinda refreshing to see someone building a container home for practical purposes, not to be a hipster or prepare for armageddon.

[@MonkeyKong21]

It's also possible to store and retrieve thermal energy in the ground under a regular building by pumping fluid through buried tubes

MonkeyKong Heat pump without refrigeration

[@grep4044]

Yes. I have seen a "crazy" man cool his house with underground tanks. He wouldnt say what was in the tubes ( word was it was some supersalty water) fan + pump thats it no condenser , lo side , hi side. No issues with freon. Wish i knew more but it kept his house cool

[@daisyhall6293]

Oh wow that's so cool can you tell me how ?

[@tkdaysh3429]

Kirsten, your channel is very appreciated. Thank you. And all the best wishes for the new year.

[@skiprocker5751]

I love this idea. I think I would have dug an escape tunnel. If someone blocked your front door your stuck

[@plummyplumage]

It's in there--just more valuable on the down-low. ;-)

[@kenkelble358]

Very good thinking.

[@danielldubord1814]

A good rifle would unblock the front door quickly

[@y0nd3r]

@@danielldubord1814 I would never have thought to blast my way through a fallen tree. THANKS!

[@KosmiekAltertainment]

This is a smart guy. Lots of detail kept simple. He should be a teacher. Thank you for the Inspiration Steve and Kirsten. Fantastic!

[@79tazman]

OMG I love it all these idea's are making me want to build one.

[@aysen8366]

Great to watch. I will buy the book. Very inspiring. He is right about lots of people living underground in some cities if Turkey.

[@adilkanouni5461]

Maaannn.i have being thinking of the same.....5 yrs ago.even better in state of texas...heat/tornado place..... Good for you made it happened

[@RSLtreecare]

Hello, We are based in the UK, I have been looking building a container home for some years. I like this idea. It looks very good.

[@JebGardener]

All they need now is a giant garden and they will be set!

[@CubeRepublic]

And a quest to retrieve s ring.

[@Shannmeister]

+CubeRepublic Ah the preciousssss!

[@Shannmeister]

***** :)

[@herpderp1322]

Jeb Gardener A sound garden.

[@Super-jk3zt]

Ahh quite the surprise 2 years later I’d be watching the same video you watched. Lol

[@soundproofyourstudio]

This is a great soundproof studio design. I would love to learn more about how you learned how to do this. Thanks for sharing!

[@johnnyrebel7592]

add a 3rd one in the back,place it like a "t",set it cover it and expansion!

[@johnbesmith4094]

passive underground cooling tubes would provide active air changes.. see earth-ship designs

[@marywest2896]

way cool---have a relative with an underground house, but built the regular way, really love the containers. I want it. I would make a vegetable garden on top of the house!

[@III_PERCENT]

+Mary West soon I will be building one as well, but I'm torn between a 2 container home similar to his, or a 1 container for bed & bath and a 30' diameter cordwood living & kitchen. I've got a plan drawn up for both.... either way I go, the roof could be garden use.

[@jeepgirl9592]

I love this house! I dont know why these aren't really a thing. The amount of energy they save is incredible.

[@blizte3]

i'm tolded i'm crazying wanting this simple effective home style set up, no one in my family or close daily life circles like this, but god knows I be gone and doing if I had bit more luck in my favor, this god my dream of dreams.

[@blizte3]

sorry some of us don't care for perfection till it matters, we prefer perfection in most important things. which this is not one of life and death, we all are different what we waste energy on being perfect. but we all must let each be separate person being same would be boring, also god bless and hope that doesn't offend too.

[@CaptainShoe]

@@blizte3 I am experiencing the same exact thing with my friends and family. They think I'm crazy for wanting to build one if these!

[@llyweiluntunare2232]

i like that they worked with city hall to get permits etc. it shows both sides are interested in getting along with each other.

[@ericsurf6]

Wow! This is really interesting stuff. Subbed right away. Off to see more of your stuff.

[@5226-p1e]

i'm not even subbed and i get recommended to this channel all the time lol. but that's because i'm obsessed with the idea of earth covered homes as i love the savings on heating and cooling and electricity. it's just better this way like ppl who live in extreme temperature locations should really consider the benefits of such ideas as this. an example is Arizona, they get extreme hot temps during most of the year long. but all of their homes are built for the use of central heating and cooling. but what happens when the power goes out for whatever reason? they are fucked. but with a house like this, they will be just fine and not to mention they will save all year long with their heating and cooling of their homes.

[@smeggerssmeghead3100]

or you stupid shipping crates are over priced by 10 fold.

[@heidigib01]

What s wonderful home. Brilliant. I'm here in AZ seems like it would be a great idea for us as well. Seems like water catchment to cisterns from above the home would protect you from water and help decrease reliance on well water. Wow. Thanks for sharing.

[@obus7800]

I always thought this would make so much sense in areas that get frequent and damaging tornadoes too...why would you build a conventional house that can be so easily destroyed by a hurricane or tornado when you could use the earth to protect you?!

[@Whippetfest]

+Neb Omashin My dad buried a train car in Oklahoma as a cellar. Definitely experienced close calls while we had it...... I have great memories sitting on top of it watching tornadoes drop down in the distance, waiting for when it was time to go in the train car. It's crazy these days...... I talked to my cousin in Texas and she said people don't even have cellars to speak of anymore!??

[@Well_possibly]

+Neb Omashin / Check out Monolithic Dome homes and cement-rebar homes with an insulating foam layer. Dome homes can resist tornadoes since the shape doesn't allow for surfaces that can be pulled by the wind. Cement domes resist grass fires and other fires. Some people do most of the labor themselves.

[@obus7800]

+PleaseCiteYourSources Thanks You thinkin' of the "bubble houses" of Wallace Neff?

[@io3204]

Neb Omashin I think it is bc most people like windows.

[@georgewu5]

The only thing is the water damage in both hurricanes Harvey and Irma. A lot of houses were destroyed by the flood ! Watch out for that before building. George Wu, AIA, ARCHITECT, NCARB 2017-9-14

[@dogmen1138]

I was kinda worried at first because the build didn't show any concrete being used and then he mentioned having to use a masonry bit to get through the walls for running services into the structure. You DO NOT want to bury shipping containers without any concrete and rebar. Shipping containers really only have support strength on the corners where they come into contact with other shipping containers for stacking. The sides and ceilings will give way to the weight of the dirt if no structural concrete and rebar is used to encase the structure.

[@nicholai40]

This is a great idea. Animals have survived under ground for thousands of years. Taking advantage of the earths natural insulation.

[@catsnuffin6955]

howz 🔬🔬🔬🔬🔬🔬🔬 about I put a you 6 ft under🔬🔬🔬🔬🔬🔬🔬

[@nicholai40]

Anynameiwant Last Haha!

[@ffjsb]

+nicholai40 Animals have fur, just sayin'.

[@nicholai40]

ffjsb The temperature below ground is fairly constant around the world, and throughout the seasons

[@ffjsb]

+nicholai40 Duh. And humans still would be cold living underground with no heat source. The underground temperature averages in the lower 50's...

[@carmensierra3935]

I LIVE RIGHT BY THIS DUDE!! HOW AWESOME!

[@deadliftyournan3293]

Vault-Tec! Prepare for the future!

[@josejr.canillas7704]

Nice video, nice earth cooled shipping container CA homes. I love it. I enjoy watching.

[@jst4curiosity704]

Extremely cool and affordable!

[@Daniel-jc1wd]

Steve, great job. Thx for taking time to show it off!

[@JR-gc8el]

I like your set up, something similar to what I plan to do.

[@aldofhister6859]

They live like a Hobbit

[@vincenzoverse-anon6230]

This Is Awesome... Thanks for sharing... I am going to build an Earthship Container, starting in Taos, NM and want to study what you have learned, so I will buy your book. Thanks again! ☺

[@texasarcane7894]

The glass domes are brilliant. He's creating a convection suction by heating the top of the exhaust flue. Very clever. Will have to remember this next time.

[@donaldhall2037]

I have the solar tubes in my house ...One in the kitchen, one in the dining room and one in the living room and I can tell you, they really heat up inside and it comes into the house...so in the summer..I always put Bushel baskets over them...where they are made of wood, and not solid, they allow some light to come though. I always take the baskets off in the winter...OH...I don't live underground..I just had the Solar tubes put in for more light at night because I have a Dusk to Dawn Light outside that conveniently allows the house to be light enough at night to see without having to turn on lamps or overhead lights. Love your place by the way.

[@emmantoast310]

How do they hold up with earthquakes? I wonder what factors would play out? Great home 👍🏽

[@jay-rus4437]

Love it. Went out to NM recently to stay in an earthship for several days. It was a way for me to see the design in action. Ive got an engineering background, and have been a general contractor now for 8 years. We are taking many of the designs from earthship and building a modified version here in Oklahoma. For cost advantage we will likely use containers as the base for the build. Have built a small solar system to test on our current property and have been running a small portion of our home strictly on solar and battery backup. Very reliable system when built property. My wife and I both enjoy smaller homes, so this seems like it just fits what we are looking for. We would use 3 containers though

[@cgirldiana]

I would love updates as you guys work on this! I've been trying to research putting containers at least semi-underground (maybe a foot or two of container above the ground berm for windows to let in light). I'm wanting to design the project like an earthship.

[@Sharibaby80]

I would imagine underground homes would be useful in tornado alley?

[@TheGodParticle]

A lot of homeless people in the US, lost their properties due to the recession, this could be the way forward instead of living in camper vans in carparks

[@dsonyay]

What recession??

[@bethanyday3471]

@@dsonyay ummm....wow....okay. you should make friends with google. it'll tell you all about it.

[@bethanyday3471]

the only problem with that is that it is very costly to turn shipping containers into homes, ontop of that it can't be standardized, and then you add the extra costs for putting it underground and it is just too much money for the government to even try doing. then the land needed is even more of a problem. your not going to find a whole lot of people willing to give up their land for such things. a more practical approach would be to build bedrooms, like an apartment or hotel, and then put an amenities building for everyone to use the bathroom, shower, cook etc. then they could stay close to the city where the jobs are too. unfortunately no one is really willing to do anything for the homeless due to the costs. if they got a camper van already theyre doing way better than most homeless. i know i will be choosing to live in a van over an apartment because to rent an apartment is three quarters of my paycheck.

[@RVBadlands2015]

TheGodParticle Who is going to purchase the land and containers.

[@krisg3984]

9/11 happened, the 2008 are two recessions, now the pandemic in 2020. Self reliance is something we are need to get used to . Learning to build your own shelter is a good idea really. Some very creative people out here. But with some limitations.

[@henrymonroy9533]

Ms. Dirksen....LOVE your channel and finds!

[@KingTesticus]

this is why the Hobbits build their homes the way they do :-) it's very wise.

[@weenitomcchile1380]

@@actontreadway1168 Hobbits aren't even real.

[@davesworld7961]

The get dwarves to help with the metal containers.

[@crimsonx7182]

KingTesticus That name tho

[@revamp-ideas101tv7]

Fantastic idea! especially for retirement and those needing just a place to call home. This is basically giving you the freedom to Spread your wings and Enjoy what you should be doing is live life to the fullest and why not ? Freedom is Priceless !! ---- Can you imagine what this would look like on a Hillside cliff area over looking a river or any body of running water ?,,,,, that would be epic. Enjoy your home it is a true blessing indeed. Cheers !

[@rainbo5250]

Brilliant! These are great! Much safer,....protected,...... energy wise,.......more beautiful to the earth. I would want mine 3,500 square feet. (Lots of shoes.)

[@frogsoda]

That's 11 containers.

[@phillhuddleston9445]

+rainbo5250 How big are your feet?

[@rainbo5250]

 Giggle! ;) Phill Huddleston

[@stevanaeastwood8059]

Best video. Really nice to know about the permitting

[@MellowYellow.]

Underground homes should be mandatory in tornado alley.

[@DerrickLytlephoto]

Have A Nice Day no, if you want to build a house that gets wrecked every year that’s your choice. The smart thing to do would be this.

[@mrs8792]

Have A Nice Day Brilliant! Wow, you really could live in Kansas and Oklahoma and keep a home in tact. Brilliant!

[@marvin-zindlers-favorite-b6957]

Except for the flat land and flash flooding.

[@nonyobussiness3440]

Southern Fun yeah but those clowns get federal funding when disaster strikes.

[@DoctorSess]

Y’all are morons who have no grasp on the reality of what you’re discussing 👌

[@gourmeadali3404]

he explained that very well. i think its really enough for a small family. not much expensive only 30.000 very smart and lovely.😊

[@jeancooper7953]

Hi, I’ve been watching a lot of video’s on this building method and I was wondering if you’ve had any problems with structural integrity or water damage over the years?? There are those who say the containers need steel reenforcing in the side walls to prevent structural collapse, how do you feel about that after living in your home for a length of time. I’ve tried to find follow up videos on your home with no luck. Seriously thinking about buying your book. Thanks Jean C

[@joegarland2224]

That really sucks they won’t answer your question. I too am very interested

[@razony]

nice home steve, i'm in the process of at least a 3 40' ht containers. what one can do with this is unlimited. one can keep building and adding on to make this a "living home" good job steve and wife!

[@Nikoslist]

Don't forget- If you do this... you should probably consider a means of egress at the other end of the container. If there is a fire at the front... you don't want to be stuck inside with no ability to get out.

[@BlueBird-wb6kb]

Or a simple fire extinguisher ....

[@coler154]

Dr. Richard R. Ape wrong thinking

[@carldejeff6012]

Cool,good deal. Great simple plan, temperature stability. I researched enough from a while back.🧐😎☺️💞✨

[@RachelSchell]

Love the idea, but I'm not sure I could live with the darkness. I think I would turn the containers sideways so there were more windows to the outside (of course that would sacrifice some of the cooling properties).

[@MartinSage]

Why not dig shafts that were the width of triple/quad glazed windows toward the top of the walls. A lattice at the ground level could reduce sun rays thus reducing heat.

[@troybabs]

Exactly my thoughts... too dark and claustrophobic. I love this concept but not the design/layout on this one.

[@Paul-gz5dp]

containers are good for storage above ground, but they need support to keep the roof and sides from caving in if covered. Noticed a slab on top, and that is a start.

[@lynnlobliner3933]

I, like most others, LOVE this, and it would be perfect in tornado alley. For those who think it's like living like a cockroach, cockroaches are PREHISTORIC and have outlived all mammals and most other bugs. But you can have the above ground housing. One thing he's kinda sorta not mentioned is the cost of the land . . . HELLLLOOOO. It's too bad he can't figure a way to camo those skylights (apparently he has to keep the brush down across the top, or it would be a good camo). I also love the scrub oak, brown velvet hills of the coastal range. I bet there ARE regs now. Government doesn't waste much time in passing regs. Thanks Kirsten for this one.

[@gregry111]

I love the too.

[@stargazer4508]

Very smart and economical idea for housing.

[@FairScale-tx1qv]

One of my Dream is to build one like this in N.Houston Area under 30K.

[@SlugSage]

How is the dream coming?

[@BannedOnMain]

Been thinking about doing this, only with 4-5 containers. Nice to see someone else thinks like me

[@6ft8incyclist]

WOW Very nice.. looks great and thank you for the great and very informative narrative, All my questions where answered .. I use to be a marine Surveyor I have Inspected thousands of containers, I have thought about this, and you answered and showed me it can be done.. ENJOY your new home ......

[@nickhlawka7073]

Absolutely awesome. Looks pretty weather resistant especially to tornadoes.

[@crimedoesnotpay6860]

Ideal homescape in this age of virus pandemic! Imma build my own once corona epidemic is finished!

[@leroyessel2010]

Very meaningful and professional video to watch more than once.

[@christophergermany7871]

Permit for this, permit for that, jeez! How about we go back to being free? As long as he isn’t harming anyone, who needs permission?

[@Diesel4242]

Protectionism of the contractors and the neighboring property values is what it’s all about

[@sempi8159]

You dont know what freedom is

[@JesseFriel-o6n]

Permits are in place to ensure he isn't harming anyone. You can't just trust that people are going to do the right thing. They might not. It may be easier to do the wrong thing. Or they might not be as smart. Or it may be cheaper to do it a different way. The permits are put in place to make sure it's done the right way and doesn't harm anyone or anything

[@Thelby1]

I have thought about this a lot and I would have to concrete in from base to walls to ceiling to make this moisture/water proof where I like. We have already received more than 25 inches of rain this year, but I really like the underground container home and want to try it.

[@AlexanderGonzalez-lr8tb]

With a third container they could build a grow room and never have to worry about money hehe ;)

[@reeblesnarfle5443]

Never leave home again.... Lol!

[@commieslapper3718]

Outdoor growing is far more practical but I smell what you're stepping in.

[@hammatime94]

Turns out there is another sub level container below hehe

[@justsomenerd8925]

That is laughably not true. Money is always going to be needed when you are using modern electronics. That solar system is going to cost money at some point, plus maintenance in general.

[@hammatime94]

@Moonrock High yea growing weed is fucking great when it's legal 🙄

[@Stittsy1963]

Nice video. Back in the 1970's while growing up in Napa county we had neighbors who built their home underground. I thought it was a cool idea and now after living in container rooms while deployed in the Army, I really do believe this is a great alternative way of living. Purchasing a traditional home in California can be very expensive (like in the Bay Area), so a container home isn't such a bad idea, especially one built underground.

[@normbograham]

You could have had the two containers about 6 feet apart. Then poor a concrete slab over the two, spanning the gap, then you've have a closet about 40 foot, with only a little more cost.

[@markcoffman9522]

Cool concept. Gives a base to expand on as well.

[@one234569and10]

They could easily build out from the front and convert it into an earthship home.

[@mraidymaddful]

Hiya Steve, what a fantastic concept you have created here. Where I live in Yorkshire in the UK it gets very cold in winter time and costs an absolute fortune to heat. I would love to have the money to try what you have built. My only bugbear with your design is the above ground pipework looks a bit unsightly just sitting there. I would build something like a 4 foot wicker or something similar fence around the area and put some nice plants in to camouflage it and also adding to the aesthetic of the place. Anyway, brilliant idea and great video. ATB Aidy x

[@not2tees]

Would underground work in a really cold temperature zone like northern Canada, I wonder?

[@sweatt4237]

+not2tees I believe they would work even better than hot climates.

[@dukester5419]

+GM4ThePeople Absolutely correct--the refrigerated containers are insulated AND are stainless steel.

[@theparkourlady894]

Combining this idea with that Italian guy who dug a labyrinth under his stone laiden orchard could be a really cool way to switch the underground concept up and improve natural light. Basically arrange the containers in a big circle around a central courtyard with each container having giant open windows facing the courtyard for natural light. Obviously it would be more expensive than this project, but it really opens the design up for some interesting concepts! ❤

[@lewisdoherty7621]

Appears to be tornado and forest fire resistant. It would also discourage thieves. In order to rob a place, it is necessary to know a place is there. Then there is the problem of gaining entry, if robbers did locate the place.

[@reeblesnarfle5443]

Especially if you close the doors and lock them if you travel!

[@Psychodegu]

@@reeblesnarfle5443 If they are buried you can't travel with them, and unburied they are not fire and tornado resistant.

[@dsonyay]

If there's a will, there's a way

[@restfulplace3273]

I like this. Many councils are imposing restrictions on the number of buildings. This works around the problem. Even if it’s just for the privacy, security and lower energy costs. Still a win