Architecture

Stylish shipping container house is topped by a green roof

Stylish shipping container house is topped by a green roof
Cocoon Modules' shipping container house comprises a total floorspace of 320 sq ft (29.7 sq m) as standard
Cocoon Modules' shipping container house comprises a total floorspace of 320 sq ft (29.7 sq m) as standard
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Cocoon Modules' shipping container house comprises a total floorspace of 320 sq ft (29.7 sq m) as standard
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Cocoon Modules' shipping container house comprises a total floorspace of 320 sq ft (29.7 sq m) as standard
Cocoon Modules' shipping container house is clad in wood
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Cocoon Modules' shipping container house is clad in wood
Cocoon Modules' shipping container house is topped by a green roof
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Cocoon Modules' shipping container house is topped by a green roof
Cocoon Modules' shipping container house has a bedroom that opens to the outside
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Cocoon Modules' shipping container house has a bedroom that opens to the outside
Cocoon Modules' shipping container house has a bedroom that opens to the outside
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Cocoon Modules' shipping container house has a bedroom that opens to the outside
Cocoon Modules' shipping container house includes one bedroom
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Cocoon Modules' shipping container house includes one bedroom
Cocoon Modules' shipping container house looks very attractive inside
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Cocoon Modules' shipping container house looks very attractive inside
View from the bedroom in the Cocoon Modules shipping container house
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View from the bedroom in the Cocoon Modules shipping container house 
Cocoon Modules' shipping container house comprises a total floorspace of 320 sq ft (29.7 sq m)
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Cocoon Modules' shipping container house comprises a total floorspace of 320 sq ft (29.7 sq m)
Cocoon Modules' shipping container house is fronted by operable glazing
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Cocoon Modules' shipping container house is fronted by operable glazing
Cocoon Modules' shipping container house's bathroom
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Cocoon Modules' shipping container house's bathroom
Cocoon Modules' shipping container house starts at US$65,000
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Cocoon Modules' shipping container house starts at US$65,000
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Athens, Greece-based firm Cocoon Modules offers an attractive take on the shipping container house with this eponymous dwelling. Topped by a green roof and able to run on or off-the-grid, the container house can also be expanded in size to suit customers' needs.

Cocoon Modules' shipping container house comprises a total floorspace of 320 sq ft (29.7 sq m) as standard. However, the firm will expand the home at extra cost by joining additional containers to it, either atop each other or side by side (this will no doubt require cutting and welding the containers together).

The home is accessed by large sliding glass doors. The interior finish, furniture and layout all looks really well done. It's split between a bedroom, living room with large L-shaped couch and shelving, a small dining area, kitchenette, and a bathroom with shower. Lots of daylight should permeate within thanks to the glazing, and the bedroom also opens up to the outside.

Cocoon Modules' shipping container house looks very attractive inside
Cocoon Modules' shipping container house looks very attractive inside

Whenever we cover shipping container architecture we bring up the containers' poor thermal performance, because it really is a huge concern with these projects. That said, this particular model is clad in wood and topped by a green roof, which should help at least a bit. Cocoon Modules also says that it's packed with insulation, and offers energy-efficient performance, though we've no word on the R-values (insulation effectiveness) of the home's walls, ceiling and floor.

The container home is up for pre-order now for US$65,000 (shipping worldwide), including furniture, appliances, and electrical and plumbing fixtures. Additional options like configuring it to run off-the-grid are available.

Cocoon Modules is collaborating with Greek mattress and furniture company Coco-Mat on the project, and the prototype model shown is installed in the grounds of Coco-Mat's store in Athens and available for viewing.

Source: Cocoon Modules

View gallery - 12 images
4 comments
4 comments
Wombat56
I've often wondered if the cost of buying and modifying an existing shipping container is substantially cheaper than building a custom solution from scratch, especially when they have to join several containers together to get enough floor space.
Nik
Wombat56. --Shipping containers are made in vast numbers, on production line processes. So, like the model T ford, they will undercut bespoke constructions easily, which is their attraction for conversion. They are also immensely strong compared to timber, or any other building methods. They are 100% rainproof, before they are modified. That said, living in one single container must be similar to living in a converted railway carriage, or a corridor. Insulation will be essential, lots of it, and a false pitched roof to shed water, as any water that collects will tend to induce rusting. So, I'm very sceptical that a so-called, 'green roof' is of benefit. The main attraction of container homes, is the low cost of the initial build, its ready made, so labour costs are minimal. The main cost is the interior fitting out. A used container can be bought for less than $10k, so I find that an additional $55k for fitting out, rather on the high side, and $40k would be nearer the optimum, with a final price of not more than $50k.
tsvieps
Per earlier comments, $200 per sq ft seems too high, even considering that furniture is included.
If arrays of such things are for use as homes for the now homeless or low income people, one needs to add in land cost and site development of roads and utilities.
It is not clear that 10 story apartment buildings with green space and playgrounds would not be less expensive when total costs are added. Does anyone with knowledge of such things have an idea?
Alex.altliving
Great idea for use of the roof. I've been thinking about adding solar panels to my roof, but I really like this idea a lot. That's what I like about shipping container homes and how versatile they are. I've seen dome homes turned into hobbit looking earth homes that I really liked the look of. I think that my simpleterra.com shipping container home would support the load on the roof. It's a prefabbed built from the bottom up unit, but it has the same strength as a shipping container.