Architecture

Rhino Cube shipping container dwelling operates on- or off-grid

Rhino Cube shipping container dwelling operates on- or off-grid
The Rhino Cube, by Boulder, Colorado-based company Rhino Cubed (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The Rhino Cube, by Boulder, Colorado-based company Rhino Cubed (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
View 23 Images
Boulder, Colorado-based company Rhino Cubed recently launched its debut line of shipping container-based micro-homes (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
1/23
Boulder, Colorado-based company Rhino Cubed recently launched its debut line of shipping container-based micro-homes (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The Rhino Cube is suitable for use as a weekend retreat or full-time dwelling (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
2/23
The Rhino Cube is suitable for use as a weekend retreat or full-time dwelling (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The Rhino Cube operates on- or off-grid (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
3/23
The Rhino Cube operates on- or off-grid (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The Rhino Cube sports a large modern kitchen (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
4/23
The Rhino Cube sports a large modern kitchen (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The home sports small artistic touches such as a steel Rhino horn sculpture on the outside (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
5/23
The home sports small artistic touches such as a steel Rhino horn sculpture on the outside (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The Rhino Cube, by Boulder, Colorado-based company Rhino Cubed (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
6/23
The Rhino Cube, by Boulder, Colorado-based company Rhino Cubed (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The first completed Rhino Cube is nicknamed the "Zulu Queen" in honor of a ski run in Telluride, Colorado (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
7/23
The first completed Rhino Cube is nicknamed the "Zulu Queen" in honor of a ski run in Telluride, Colorado (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The home is built from one shipping container and comprises 15 sq m (160 sq ft) of floorspace (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
8/23
The home is built from one shipping container and comprises 15 sq m (160 sq ft) of floorspace (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
Rhino Cubed co-founder Jan Burton (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
9/23
Rhino Cubed co-founder Jan Burton (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
Rhino Cubed co-founder Sam Austin (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
10/23
Rhino Cubed co-founder Sam Austin (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The interior contains bunk-beds and a small lounge area (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
11/23
The interior contains bunk-beds and a small lounge area (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
There's a surprisingly large kitchen inside, with a cooktop, refrigerator, and Ikea cabinets and storage (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
12/23
There's a surprisingly large kitchen inside, with a cooktop, refrigerator, and Ikea cabinets and storage (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The home sports hand-drawn finishing touches by artist and co-founder Sam Austin (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
13/23
The home sports hand-drawn finishing touches by artist and co-founder Sam Austin (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The cooktop is a two-burner model that runs from denatured alcohol, as does a small heater (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
14/23
The cooktop is a two-burner model that runs from denatured alcohol, as does a small heater (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The Rhino Cube is certified lead-free and sports three fiberglass double pane energy-efficient windows (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
15/23
The Rhino Cube is certified lead-free and sports three fiberglass double pane energy-efficient windows (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The home sports insulated hardwood hickory floor, and insulated walls and ceiling (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
16/23
The home sports insulated hardwood hickory floor, and insulated walls and ceiling (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The Rhino Cube is suitable for use as a weekend retreat or full-time dwelling (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
17/23
The Rhino Cube is suitable for use as a weekend retreat or full-time dwelling (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The roof sports a rainwater catchment system and water storage, and a grey water system handles the disposal of waste water (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
18/23
The roof sports a rainwater catchment system and water storage, and a grey water system handles the disposal of waste water (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The Rhino Cube is certified lead-free and sports three fiberglass double pane energy-efficient windows (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
19/23
The Rhino Cube is certified lead-free and sports three fiberglass double pane energy-efficient windows (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The home sports hand-drawn finishing touches by artist and co-founder Sam Austin (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
20/23
The home sports hand-drawn finishing touches by artist and co-founder Sam Austin (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The home sports a steel Rhino horn sculpture on the outside (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
21/23
The home sports a steel Rhino horn sculpture on the outside (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The Rhino Cube, by Boulder, Colorado-based company Rhino Cubed (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
22/23
The Rhino Cube, by Boulder, Colorado-based company Rhino Cubed (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
Though on-grid models are also available, the completed Zulu Queen unit operates completely off-grid as standard (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
23/23
Though on-grid models are also available, the completed Zulu Queen unit operates completely off-grid as standard (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
View gallery - 23 images

Boulder, Colorado-based small home firm Rhino Cubed recently launched its line of shipping container-based micro-homes. The most fully-equipped model is named the Rhino Cube, and is suitable for use as a weekend retreat or full-time dwelling. It can operate either on or off-the-grid, and will set you back US$60,000.

The first completed Rhino Cube unit is nicknamed the "Zulu Queen" in honor of a ski run in Telluride, Colorado. It's built from one 6 m (20 ft)-long shipping container, and comprises 15 sq m (160 sq ft) of floorspace. Both the interior and exterior sport small artistic finishing touches, such as a steel Rhino horn sculpture and hand-drawn artwork.

As standard, there's a large kitchen inside, with a cooktop, refrigerator, and Ikea-sourced cabinets and storage. The cooktop is a two-burner model that runs on denatured alcohol, as does a small heater that should be suitable for all but the worst of Colorado's winter weather. The interior also contains bunk beds and a small lounge area.

The cooktop is a two-burner model that runs from denatured alcohol, as does a small heater (Photo: Rhino Cubed)
The cooktop is a two-burner model that runs from denatured alcohol, as does a small heater (Photo: Rhino Cubed)

Though the debut model featured here contains no bathroom, Rhino Cubed co-founder Jan Burton informed Gizmag that a bathroom is optional on the slightly larger 7.6 m (25 ft)-long Rhino Cube unit, and it contains a sink, shower, and composting toilet.

The Rhino Cube is certified lead-free and sports three fiberglass double pane energy-efficient windows, insulated hardwood hickory floor, and insulated walls and ceiling. Both on-and-off-grid models are available, and the roof has a small wooden porch and rainwater catchment system affixed, while a grey water system handles the disposal of waste water.

A Yeti 1,250-watt solar-powered generator drives the refrigerator and any other required electric appliances. Lighting is provided by efficient LED lights. In addition, the exterior features bolt-on attachments that enable owners to fasten on extra gear such as bike racks, a garden lattice, or an awning.

Source: Rhino Cubed

View gallery - 23 images
2 comments
2 comments
The Skud
Who would pay $60K to live in this? Shrink the kitchen by half and partition off a small composting loo and shower room before it is worth consideration. Make the partion out of L-ion batteries for solar panel charging, forget the generator and its exhaust fumes as well. Pie-in-the-sky designers never seem to consider or even think of practicality or value. How much does the "Rhino horn statue and hand-drawn artwork" add to the cost? $10K?
GeekTinker
I still don't understand why most designers and architects who want to use shipping containers as a source for home building seem to insist that the structure look like a shipping container once it is complete. I'm guessing they assume it will become a feather in their cap for being "green", but it comes off more like greenwashing.
It is possible to build a home using shipping containers and to make it appear like every other home in the neighborhood, if these designers would simply approach it that way.
Personally, I want the savings that using shipping containers can give me in a home, not the hipster, tiny house, feather in my cap simply for repurposing a material for another use.