On designing a stackable, bioclimatic shipping container home

Motivated by her love of mobile homes and bioclimatic design, as well as the surplus of shipping containers at Athens Port Piraeus, Nastasia Spyropoulou created a passive solar container home that is topped by a living roof and has little need of traditional heating/cooling.
Her prototype Cocoon Module is made from a used (though good condition) 40-foot shipping container. She tried to retain the container feel, leaving the end doors in place, though they can be opened to reveal a sliding glass door. At the opposite side she cut a small bathroom window for cross ventilation. The tiny home is well-insulated and the living roof provides an additional layer of insulation so the temperature remains stable most of the year.
In order to ensure that the home can be transported with ease, Spyropoulou added supporting beams to one side which means the containers can be stacked for a second floor and additional living space at a later date.
www.cocoonmodul...
On *faircompanies: faircompanies....

[@RalphButlerBlurb]

One of the best container home designs I’ve ever seen. Thank you for your inventiveness and accomplishments.

[@Aoudhubillahi]

She did a great job designing...even put some structural engineering on the table with the bracing on the bottom of the container. Finishes are exceptional, also. Really a 1st class piece of work.

[@Maelysia]

I am absolutely in love with this house! The container, the design, everything!

[@musikSkool]

Some of the best shipping container houses I've seen. I really love that lime-rendered one.

[@KONATIONOFFICIAL]

Container house are cool for sure, love the tiny house look.

[@pinstripesuitandheels]

Wow! As containers go this is quite extraordinary. I love the original features, the minimalist interior and the green roof! I could see myself living full-time in a home like this.

[@KONATIONOFFICIAL]

Its so cool, love the container style tiny house...

[@phil6853]

Love this. The ability to put two or more together in different configurations is also so important - small and narrow is fine provided you can have sections, rooms, and a bit of peace, quiet and privacy. I'd love to live in a couple of these units!

[@UNLIMITEDSUN5.0]

Minimalist - Great sense of Efficiency and Safety, the doors are solid, powerful and outstanding. Sustainable with minimum intrusion on the ground itself. Mobile! So avantguard!

[@AKforall]

I believe this container is more of a commercial prototype. They have installed it outside a COCOMAT exhibition space. COCOMAT is a local company which produces mattresses and other bedding items from sustainable materials. That is why it's located next to a highway. Probably the company is trying to expand its activities to eco-friendly houses and they are using this container-home as a life size demo for potential customers. Edit: I should also add that there's an ulterior motive that the architect does not mention. Due to the really strict planning regualations in the Aegean Islands, it is really difficult and rather expensive for somenone, either an individual homeowner or a business owner to construct a "traditional" residence. Structures like this one can be "installed" to a plot with minimal paperwork, offering a convenient alternative, especially as temporary housing during the summer months.

[@CyrusOfNaias]

Yeah as a demo it's really good.

[@i.sirius6204]

Agreed, it really is a great prototype. I'm thrilled to see that the container home concept is getting traction worldwide. This is just one possible iteration, of course, with an infinite number of possible variations based upon a single container module. This, alone, is really exciting, but I can hardly wait to see what the future holds, with regard to future architectural concepts developed based on the container module concept. In the years to come, brilliant minds, the world over, will continue coming up with countless takes on sustainable and enjoyable homes based on this notion.

[@boogiedownbronx73]

she is explaining all of that already at 7:49 min

[@jgmgreen01]

all this was explained in the video lol

[@norndev]

This is definitely a commercial prototype, looks like a prebuilt Kitchen you'd see in Ikea.

[@trevormuir8421]

Love this design, love the way it closes up with the shutters for safety, great job 😀

[@عبودعبود-ي4ر1ذ]

ين٠

[@عبودعبود-ي4ر1ذ]

الووو

[@عبودعبود-ي4ر1ذ]

❤

[@alexandroseliades7770]

I found this video (almost) by luck. Within first 30 sec. (except from the amazing kind of work, which magnetised me) ...I felt like I was hearing a greek person to talk...so I did a little scroll down and BoomShakalaka !!! She is greek!!! Hell of fuckin' awesome amazing job! Congrats and respect Nastazia!!!

[@i.sirius6204]

Another beautiful production, Kirsten! I always enjoy watching your work. Lately, I have really loved seeing the films pertaining to families who are renovating ancient ruins. Absolutely fascinating! You have one of the very best channels on KZbin!

[@i.sirius6204]

☺️👍🏼

[@MigraineCraftsman]

So kewl, there are so many different ways to build a home.

[@MigraineCraftsman]

You are right they got expensive still kewl tho :-) @dino macioci

[@colleenmcnally7400]

I checked the site as far as cost it seems very reasonable. I love the style and how it is very functional. I could live in one.

[@chasingthelight7139]

Ya me too...,

[@tyxeri48]

I am obsessed with containers. This is excellent!

[@charliedevine6869]

I like those automatic hurricane shutters on the outside of the windows. This one was really nicely done with all that extra steel added in a factory setting. Those doors and windows look like they could last 100 years.

[@HabitualButtonPusher]

I kept watching just to see what the dog was doing. Looks like the pup likes it.

[@cm-pr2ys]

You Tuber yut yut

[@1mtstewart]

I appreciate the murphy bed for the space conservation. The living room is great. Here in the midwest of USA, we must be mindful of tornadoes and other high winds. A east/west placement will present an opportunity for a deck on the south side for extra space, a well insulated north wall., a sleeping area on the east for morning sun wake-up. Solar array on roof, water storage for wash, cook, toilet to septic tank. This would work in the woods or edge of woods in a pasture or below a pond bank.

[@tarmacsurfers]

The channel that NEVER disappoints 👊🏻

[@eekns]

In Germany, they put those shutters down at night. If you look closely the shutters are also perforated which can be used to get good airflow and still be secure. I wish they were popular in the states.

[@dang2443]

Many urban stores have similar roll-down protection at night

[@leoferreiral87]

This is the best thing i have ever seen in the internet.... thanks for that.....

[@BushImports]

I gotta say you guys made or stumbled into about as good a job as anyone could have, you get to travel all over the world, take your family with you, and get paid for doing it, that's pretty cool.

[@viktor7401]

She said if the shutters are down and there's a power outage, you have to exit from the bedroom door. But that also locks from the outside. Wouldn't be much fun in the case of a fire!

[@aljowen]

The bathroom window can be opened.

[@hel1nas]

The shutters also are manual

[@AussieWanderer.]

hel1nas she said manual from the outside

[@genkatqltr737]

@@aljowen Not everyone could get through it, one reason or another.

[@LAPGOCHINSTRUCTOR]

Simple answer would be to have the end doors lockable from the inside only.

[@marzymarrz5172]

Interesting product. From an accessibility point of view it’s a great design and a lot more appealing than a tiny house.

[@denisgallagher109]

I think this is a good design. The timber cladding would have to go as in a wet climate woodrot would be a big problem. I love the sliding doors and the shutters. I priced these shutters in Ireland and they were astronomical. Even the cost of the doors alone has to be very expensive. All in all well done.

[@scoobner1]

Love this. Was in Athens as a hostel runner from December 1990 through January 1991. Running to Piraeus as well. An odd time as it was during the run up to the first "Desert Storm" war in Iraq. Wonderful country and people. Would love to return.

[@joehammond2586]

Best conversion I've seen.

[@DamianLewd]

No shade to her I’ve been defending her in the comments but if this is the best you’ve seen you need to watch more conversions

[@obas1163]

Nice design.. Simple and fit for purpose

[@LuckyLucky-xp2sz]

Beautifully done. She is great.

[@jamespatterson6972]

I'm single with no children, this would be perfect for me.

[@RascalV666]

who normal live in a container? rich to villas, container for pooor people . NWO welcom

[@celenathetrinigirl]

I need one myself!

[@servipluscolombianas.a.s763]

hi everyone ,if anyone else wants to learn about container home designs try Jadonite Shipping Container Buddy (do a search on google ) ? Ive heard some interesting things about it and my friend got amazing success with it.

[@tnekkc]

I know a guy who lives in a semi trailer in Idaho. In the 1960s he played drums while I played guitar in Seattle. I think it is the last step down before homelessness.

[@ChrisSlack]

I love it! I like the look of a shipping container, so I think I’d just insulate from the inside and keep the original look. Great job!!

[@RascalV666]

who normal live in a container? rich to villas, container for pooor people . NWO welcom

[@cathylynnpietranton]

We really enjoyed the video we think it's really cool how you can take different materials and make a home out of it. thanks for sharing.

[@NERO-ez1mn]

i really like the doors especially the shutters

[@LucGendrot]

I think this would work much better doubled up on the longest side. This is one of the most cramped feeling tiny/container homes I've ever seen. Shame they didn't have in-person examples of those other configurations. Love that ceiling light though.

[@kiwibird8441]

I was interested to see "other configurations" aswell.

[@kalitor217]

…yea, who has created nothing.…on scale.

[@DavidKirtley]

I think it is interesting that she said that it was more expensive to do the container over normal steel construction. I actually like the layout (other than the bed crossing the entire width.) By itself it is minimal. As an enclosed foundation of a big outdoor living space it would be really nice. I could see even foregoing the seating area and expanding the kitchen into the living space.

[@kiwibird8441]

ikr then why would you do it

[@ZeoCyberG]

The push to use shipping containers is primary recycling, building using more sustainable materials, and low initial costs... You are usually initially paying much less for the shipping container, because they are usually used and being sold for a fraction of what they cost to build originally. But there's a threshold when converting them into livable structures where the costs rise higher than other options and the limitations of the design options become apparent and that usually overlaps because that's usually the point that you have to do significant changes to the container to get past its limitations... A lot is still possible below that threshold. It's just hard to avoid going over that threshold but if you can keep below it then it's something to consider... It's just something to get used to with construction that options may be niche and may not apply to every type of building you may want to construct.

[@kiwibird8441]

I know of a few where labour and material costs are lowered because people have done alot of the work themselves and spent hours combining the internet for recycled or special prices on materials.

[@crispincrunch2453]

Great video. I was just reading an article about this unit and really glad to see a filmed tour. I would have liked seeing the container filmed from the inside with the doors closed, to test the efficacy of the sliding glass door's soundproofing.

[@slippery_slobber]

I think its really cool when you go to a house where the people live in them. Ask them to mov in for at least 2 weeks before the interview.

[@donx03]

Liked the timelapse

[@Pabkojdim]

Awesome build

[@davidorama6690]

Love their container house designs...

[@abebenz3316]

I just have to say every time you guys bring it.look the Edet and look of the video.amazing job

[@landoncollins1069]

we have enjoyed, well worth its money

[@benparkinson8314]

Space saving furniture in any tiny house is a must I think at this point

[@gerardoaguileragalarza1022]

So many great ideas for homes. I need money.

[@matiashughes4793]

fantastic house

[@philiq18]

It's a decent prototype. I'd get one for a vacation spot. Could do without the shutters though.

[@X02switchblades]

my idea is a Π shaped house made of 3 containers and an internal yard in the gap. The south side would be a wooden fence and a small gate

[@turansevincer2252]

This is exactly my idea too. It has the privacy and sociality in this way.

[@bowehj96]

I wanted to do the same. U-shape, open to the south. Two storey (total of 6 containers). Covering the internal yard with glass/plastic to create an space which was part living room, part greenhouse. The greenhouse would be tall enough to fit full-size fruit trees. Great minds think alike :-)

[@turansevincer2252]

@@bowehj96 Where did you imagined the windows? Only to the open side facing south or some on the other side? And what about the main entrance?

[@wuntoo1687]

@@turansevincer2252 That's what I was thinking. You would need to orient the containers in such a way where the middle could get sunlight. I was think thinking making the middle portion have a skylight of full glass and slidable glass doors for ventilation but it's such a great idea

[@norndev]

Lovely idea, I love the ideas of a small home but a lot of them are really invasive when it comes to privacy.

[@jeanjnkites]

Great close to high way...it is convenient!

[@Edika2012]

Very nice!!! Greetings from Croatia / Zadar

[@kevinmoseley1039]

I love the shipping container houses. But not the tiny ones. Big ups to the welded together spacious ones. Big down to the smaller than a double wide trailer ones

[@sigmacentauri6191]

Its beautiful. And Geo-thermally managed. Want.

[@carriek1192]

Thank you for your videos. I always enjoy them. I do wish you'd upgrade your sound equipment though. This one especially, I heard mostly wind and road noise and could barely hear the voices.

[@Competitive_Antagonist]

Something to enjoy on your long ferry to Canada.

[@LAPGOCHINSTRUCTOR]

This and the examples shown on the laptop are the best designs using shipping containers that I have ever seen. I'm not a fan of the seeded roof and would use the flat rood once sun insulated to mount solar PV panels along its length you could even add a passive solar water heater to reduce you water heating costs

[@chrischris8550]

Great use of space. I know it's only a prototype but the cladding would look better if it was layed vertically! Lovely layout of interior.

[@8anos8anos]

το περιμενα να σαι Ελληνιδα οπως ετσι χαρακτηριστικα μιλουσες!! :)

[@_sacredseven_]

Love the sod roof, probably gonna go with a deck on mine tho

[@georgethandayutham8505]

Very nice job 👍

[@michelepap1]

απο τα καλυτερα που εχω δει !

[@ekaos5099]

I only see 1 problem waiting to happen with this, it has no escape hatch. Scenario: you open the container for habitation, you are using the sliding doors as ingress and egress so the doors at the end of the container are secured closed, you close the shutters for privacy for the evening, you lose power or the motor malfunctions. How do you get out of the container??

[@alialrashidi1764]

Use the bathroom window

[@evohori]

Solar panels on the top would make more sense I think. Also wouldn't the soil at the top corrode the metal? I mean, I'm just saying.....other than this, this is awesome!! One weakness as a business is that....I believe it would be difficult to ship these, would need an overseas branch. I wish you all the bless, God bless! I am interested in this!

[@aprendizembuscadaverdade3081]

Pra quem está lendo esse comentário desejo que você e seus entes queridos sejam abençoados com muita saúde, alegria, felicidade, paz, alegria, prosperidade e muita luz!

[@vernonhowell4485]

I love it! Very innovative!

[@jf2765]

Great Idea and very practical

[@joselucnico]

I like the idea for the roof

[@bgd73]

very portable. I have even seen these on low deck behind the bigger american pickups of today. I grew up hauling these off and to the docks with my dad. Seeing sky high piles of them enough to change the temperature of an area. Not sure why all the extra effort into structure.. we have even struck a bridge with one of these (for being too tall - container placed on wrong trailer). I believe someone here in maine usa is doing a similar business.

[@lhengonzales2345]

the eco friendly roof is amazing i wish it explain well...it should be compose toilet and upstair you can plant beautiful flora and fauna that you can put in the freeland or forest in the future which help the earth or your country more beautiful...thats all folks☺

[@VernonWallace]

Great use of shipping containers. Best I've seen.

[@MichaelSartore]

love how the last shot of the highway has a truck w a shipping container on it pass by heh.

[@AJ-cn7eh]

Very well explained. They look good.

[@CyrusOfNaias]

Not bad, but I think I would rather have a bunch of smaller holes in the walls and ceiling than two giant windows. Not enough privacy, and I wouldn't rely on those automatic shutters either. I think I'd also prefer more deliberate sectioning and doors inside the one container. But I like the idea of making the containers modular, so you can achieve the sectioning by just getting another container or two, depending on needs.

[@rgs6236]

I lov and I want one 😊 The only problem is the permanent land issue the cost .

[@billypate667]

Sounds like great idea i pray and hope you get company started and help many people god bless

[@jonh6396]

Great Job!

[@Feedback4Utoday]

Great to see do much creativity!

[@frankthywissen8138]

Cool/ super!!!

[@Gusinabus]

Nice living space

[@krissmgvlogs]

I love it but with some modifications such as opening and closing those side doors from the inside!

[@iviedbymightymt]

Interesting video once again. In terms of interior layout this house reminds me of the "Portable home delivered as furniture, tailored as smartphone" featured here a few years ago.

[@somentearte]

very nice!

[@Adwrigh]

I wonder what the cost would be in USD?

[@urbanwoodworking233]

Thanks for sharing. Very sensible and tidy design.

[@4BWVan]

Did anyone else wish that she would reach down JUST ONCE and pet that poor doggo?!

[@HamVids]

i'm no dog expert but that relationship, whatever it is, seems garbage, at 00:44 you see the dog having a hard time getting up but running away, at 1:13 -1:17 you can hear in the background "snapping" of the fingers, and the hand posture at 1:17 overall, I don't like the behavior observed around this woman and this dog. there are other indications (ears, movements) in the video that are disturbing.

[@diegoaguilar6602]

READY PLAYER ONE HOMES ARE HERE!!!

[@seanli3853]

Beautiful

[@bdmenne]

12:52 I saw the cargo container flying down the road. Nice capture. All around.

[@blueman5924]

Nice to see company’s trying their best to help the housing crunch or the vacation cottage market. Too bad the wood outside was finished with the wrong coating and looking weathered at joints. A “torched” exterior would be my choice with wood. Thnx for posting.

[@hbchohan7886]

Bingo

[@jakob5643]

Thing is, I could totally imagine living in a shipping container. However, what to remember is that it's actually not much cheaper to convert a container than building one from scratch. The benefit comes with keeping (!) the original functionality of the container and have it shipped on a truck. Easily moved in other words. But don't add green grass that makes it a double negative!

[@netplanetgr]

Amazing!

[@robertjackson4121]

The cost per sq foot. Only made for a couple . not space for a mother and child. The container doors can house utilities furnace water. Solar hot water etc. The bedroom at opposite end of container. Another set of steel doors at other end of container with steel doors. Would add 4' at each end. A set of bunk beds that are Murphy style would accommodate two to four beds. Convert metal wall cur for slider as a drop down deck and security instead of roll up . use the container metal. You can add awning and wall for screened porch to frame of container. This unit will be moved once. A re cycled Mobil home frame could be used for decking and storage as well. The Amazon warehouse robots could be used for Mobil storage in another 20' container. Could be climate controlled.

[@sissycourmier3100]

If you build a loft bedroom then the child can sleep up there

[@SandraNelson063]

The dog is a wonderful touch.

[@HisGraceisGreat]

Love your video's....very nice and informative! Is there a way to get an average cost estimate when doing these videos? Thank you and blessings to you!

[@DoronBond]

Very nice video

[@DrShanmugaraj]

Nice one 👍

[@jigarrakhasiya7443]

Super ossm I love it👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@willr69420]

Ingenious

[@詹-j9y]

I love it

[@robertjackson4121]

You can make barn doors on a rail to cover sliders. The cost to support one wall of sliders.

[@elsielokain9152]

Wow!! Cool.. I just love this..

[@jojung_11]

Look safety , Very good