Architecture

Shipping containers transformed into attractive light-filled homes

Shipping containers transformed into attractive light-filled homes
Despite the project's singular name, the Container House actually consists of two shipping-container-based dwellings: Champa, pictured, and Chameli
Despite the project's singular name, the Container House actually consists of two shipping-container-based dwellings: Champa, pictured, and Chameli
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Despite the project's singular name, the Container House actually consists of two shipping-container-based dwellings: Champa, pictured, and Chameli
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Despite the project's singular name, the Container House actually consists of two shipping-container-based dwellings: Champa, pictured, and Chameli
The two shipping container homes are shaded by bamboo thatch roofs
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The two shipping container homes are shaded by bamboo thatch roofs
The shipping container homes are located on a picturesque spot in the foothills of the Aravalli Range, Northwest India
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The shipping container homes are located on a picturesque spot in the foothills of the Aravalli Range, Northwest India
The shipping container homes have been heavily modified with generous glazing and can be opened up to the outside to maximize natural ventilation
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The shipping container homes have been heavily modified with generous glazing and can be opened up to the outside to maximize natural ventilation
The two shipping container homes are raised above the ground to protect against flooding
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The two shipping container homes are raised above the ground to protect against flooding
The interiors are open and light-filled, with simple interior layout that flatters the compact spaces
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The interiors are light-filled, with open layouts that flatter the compact spaces available
The two shipping container homes include large sheltered porch areas
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The two shipping container homes include large sheltered porch areas
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Rakhee Shobhit Design Associates (RSDA) offers an impressive example of shipping-container-based architecture with its Container House. Located on a picturesque plot in rural India, the project involved heavily modifying a collection of shipping containers to create a pair of remarkably attractive and light-filled homes.

Described as an avant-garde farmhouse by RSDA, Container House is nestled on a sprawling plot in the foothills of the Aravalli Range, Northwest India. The project was conceived following the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and enabled the owners to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The two homes are named Champa and Chameli, and we've no word on pricing for either. Chameli consists of a pair of 40 x 8-ft (roughly 12 x 2.4-m) containers arranged lengthwise. Champa, meanwhile, features a roughly U-shaped arrangement made up of five containers, each measuring 20 x 8 ft (6 x 2.4 m). The client lives in the Chameli, while the Champa is occupied by the client's mother.

Each includes a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a living area, plus each is fronted by a spacious deck area. While Champa has a deck on the rear too, the rear of Chameli hosts an open-air shower that has been enclosed with upcycled wooden planks for privacy.

The interiors are open and light-filled, with simple interior layout that flatters the compact spaces
The interiors are light-filled, with open layouts that flatter the compact spaces available

"They feature a minimalist interior palette that echoes the concept of modularity while being inviting and clean-lined," said RSDA. "Pops of color from the furniture offset the muted design grammar. The Chameli unit features an open-plan layout that seamlessly connects the kitchen, bedroom and living area and is enveloped in paneled grain-matched wood veneer."

Architects never seem to tire of experimenting with shipping-container-based architecture, but there are drawbacks to using large metal boxes for the construction of homes – the most notable of which is that they perform very poorly in the heat and cold.

To address this, RSDA took some sensible steps. The two homes are raised a little above the ground on hollow metal pipes and a concrete foundation to protect against seasonal rains and snakes. Large windows have been cut into the homes, some of which are operable to promote natural ventilation. Polyurethane foam insulation was also installed and a raised bamboo roof shades the homes' interiors from the hot sun.

Source: RSDA

View gallery - 7 images
11 comments
11 comments
paul314
By the time you've cut holes that big, how much is left of the shipping-container structure?
DavidB
@paul314: About as much of it as wasn't cut away. That's my best guess, anyway.
DavidB
The article and photo captions refer to "homes," but all I see is one home and one much smaller workout room.

I wish the article was clearer on this point.
Longtermthinker
Yes, architects never seen to tire of trying to make shipping containers into homes but unless you live in a very mild and forgiving climate building a comfortable home out of a steel box is just about impossible and a really bad idea. This example is pretty in a conventional modernist sort of way, screw the practical considerations, it photographs well.
Maboomba Maboomba
We have to remember, regular framing of walls and a roof is not where most of the money goes in construction. It's finishing everything out to modern standards that takes up all the resources. Think: insulation, drywall, taping and paint, light fixtures, plumbing, electric wiring, flooring, cabinets, shelving, windows and doors, appliances...
Bruce Book
@ Longtermthinker - if you "google" 'shipping container dwellings' or the equivalent I think you can find quite a few establishments in harsher climates - some of them multi-family developments. As I recall Austin, TX has done this, and in Norway or Sweden they did a stacked multi-family/apartment complex that is quite well designed and safely executed. I agree that some of the 'eye candy'/click-bait articles are short on practicalities, like hurricane/storm tie-downs, or, in this case, window coverings or any particular sign of electrical hook-ups, but if you look, they can be found, along with contractors who will deliver and install them. Nothing's perfect, but with good insulation and the right exterior coating, steel can deliver good value if one is so inclined. I liked the simple and inexpensive bamboo shade concept here, although a strong storm would probably send it sailing off. There are also some interesting things being done in Austin with '3-d' printed houses - if the prices on any of this can be brought far enough below factory/stick-built housing, then maybe more people could afford to own housing again.
ljaques
Just one more way for architects/builders to gouge you via the Green scheme scams.
It costs more to buy the container, cut it out, insulate it, floor it, put in a ceiling, and install large very costly windows than a stick built frame.
Gregg Eshelman
Some jurisdictions in the USA insist that shipping containers used for living space must have a conventional lumber frame built inside "for strength". Nevermind that these containers will not crumple at the bottom of a cargo ship with many thousands of pounds of other containers and cargo on top of them.

So that nearly 8 feet of interior width ends up pretty close to 6 after installing nominal 2x4 framing and gypsum board. Standard height containers won't do under such rules, you'll have to get a high cube to retain enough ceiling height. What it amounts to is such places "allow" shipping container homes but they've written the rules in a way to make it much less practical.
White Rabbit
@ljaques Insulating, flooring, putting in a ceiling and a door and windows are large parts of any house build, but it doesn't cost any more to do this in a container than any other type of build. So your cost comparison is skewed.
The lumber required to build a 20'x8'x8' structure will cost about $1700.
Wrap for walls and underlayment for the roof will be another $150.
Add a door - $300.
Metal siding and roofing will add $6000.
(all prices are approximate, in $CDN, before taxes, as of today)
Of course, you'll need tools, nails & screws, flashing & fittings, and a significant amount of time - or perhaps a contractor.
OTOH, a local business sells used 20' containers for $2,450 + delivery.
Another big saving is the fact that your wooden structure needs a block wall or poured concrete foundation. My container sits on a patio stone at each corner.
Longtermthinker
Bruce, I am not saying shipping containers can not be converted to dwellings. The question is: is it really any kind of solution or just a fad. I do not see the advantages. Besides the dimensional limitations already mentioned you need to add the fact that steel is a very heat(and cold) conductive material and a great condensing surface, the opposite of what you want from an energy us, comfort and health standpoint. Strength is often mentioned as an advantage but chop (or torch cut) a bunch of holes for windows and doors and the structural integrity can become questionable, hence the comment about additional framing required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. If anyone has actually built using these steel boxes I would like to hear their honest post-mortem comments on the economic and construction benefits. The way materials come together is one of the major “devil in the details” and trying to adapt this unsuitable material to almost any construction assembly would be a big challenge with questionable results.
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