Architecture

Luxury shipping container-based house boasts rooftop deck with hot tub

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The Porter is based on a 40-ft-(9.1-m)-long shipping container which has been heavily modified with doors, windows, and insulation
Bob's Containers
The Porter is based on a 40-ft-(9.1-m)-long shipping container which has been heavily modified with doors, windows, and insulation
Bob's Containers
The Porter is positioned as a luxury shipping container-based home and is priced accordingly, starting at US$149,250
Bob's Containers
The Porter model pictured is located in Texas and is available for rent on Airbnb
Bob's Containers
The Porter's interior has a total floorspace of 320 sq ft (29.7 sq m)
Bob's Containers
The Porter features a novel garage-style door that raises up to open up the home to the outside
Bob's Containers
Much of the Porter's interior is simple and unfussy, which flatters the limited space available
Bob's Containers
The Porter's bathroom contains a sink, flushing toilet, and a spacious-looking shower
Bob's Containers
The Porter's bedroom includes a double bed, storage unit, and generous glazing
Bob's Containers
The Porter's rooftop terrace is reached by spiral staircase
Bob's Containers
The Porter's rooftop terrace area includes seating and a barbecue
Bob's Containers
The Porter's rooftop deck includes a small hot tub
Bob's Containers
The Porter's rooftop terrace area includes a neat little hammock net lounging area
Bob's Containers
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The Porter is one of the most ambitious shipping container-based houses we've seen in a while. Designer Bob's Containers has maximized living space in the compact home by installing a large garage-style door that opens it up to the outside and also added some nice features including a spacious rooftop deck area with hot tub and relaxation net.

The Porter is based on a 40-ft-(9.1-m)-long shipping container and has a width of 8 ft (2.4 m) and a height of 8.10 ft (2.46 m). As we've mentioned before, container-based homes usually have a serious Achilles heel: they perform very poorly in the heat and cold, and Bob's Containers sought to mitigate this by using spray foam insulation.

The exterior is painted in a uniform black and the Porter's rooftop deck area is reached by spiral staircase. This space has a a couple of low chairs, a barbecue and small dining area and a few decorative planters, as well as the hammock net for relaxing, and the "Cowboy" hot tub.

Inside, the home is arranged on one floor. Its walls are finished in drywall and the flooring is vinyl. A mini split air-conditioning unit provides heating and cooling. The majority of the available floorspace is taken up by the kitchen/living room area, which is tastefully furnished and contains a sofa.

Much of the Porter's interior is simple and unfussy, which flatters the limited space available
Bob's Containers

The garage door is an inspired choice and opening it up should really help make the living space feel larger than it is. The kitchen area is made up of custom cabinetry made from knotty alder and birch, with butcher block shelving, and consists of a sink, fridge, and induction stove, plus there's a small dining table that seats two people.

The bathroom is accessed from the kitchen via a sliding barn-style door and contains a custom wood vanity unit with sink, flushing toilet, and large shower. The bedroom, meanwhile, is on the opposite side of the container home and also accessed by sliding door. It looks relatively spacious, with a storage unit and a large double bed that overlooks generous glazing.

The Porter is positioned as Bob's Containers' luxury shipping container-based home and is priced accordingly, starting at US$149,250. If you'd like to spend some time there yourself though, the model pictured is located in Johnson City, Texas, and is up for rent on Airbnb.

Source: Bob's Containers

View gallery - 12 images
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5 comments
TpPa
too small for me
Jinpa
Since a raw shipping container "can cost $2,000 to $5,000 for a new 20′ container or you can get a used one of this size for $1,400 to $3,000", this doesn't seem like much of a bargain as a renovation. https://tuffshippingcontainers.com/shipping-container-cost/ I'd wonder how an architectural competition might do at producing a better product at a lower cost, especially for something useful in a wider temperature range.
BlueOak
Tiny homes tend to very very expensive from a cost/sq foot perspective since they cram all the infrastructure costs of a “full sized” home into a small footprint. But not seeing how this steel box gets to $150K. Nothing particularly expensive - although that garage door isn’t cheap… but it doesn’t even appear to be set up for off-grid. High labor cost? But that roof top suspended hammock/net is cool.
Jinpa
Compare this earlier New Atlas story: https://newatlas.com/architecture/tini-2m-glass-house/
GregVoevodsky
What no sun umbrellas? HDTVS? I think, I'd get a bigger RV and travel places.