This Graceville home is built from 31 shipping containers. Picture: Grand Designs Australia / Foxtel
Shipping container homes have grown in popularity across Australia in recent years due to their relatively low building costs and somewhat shorter construction times.
By joining together multiple containers, home builders have been able to save hundreds of thousands of dollars on construction while having the benefit of an existing structure that can be stacked one on top of each other.
Tasmanian couple Josh and Kiara Rolf told the Mercury they decided to build a three-bedroom house from shipping containers on a $230,000 budget after being quoted $550,000 to $730,000 for a conventional build.
Josh and Kiara Rolf are building a shipping container home at Flowerpot. Picture: Chris Kidd
“The main thing you save so much money with is you avoid the framing costs,” Ms Rolf said. “In that period you can wait up to three weeks – so you avoid that process completely.”
“With the containers, it went from nothing to a whole house structure in 12 hours.”
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While some may turn their nose up at the thought of living in a giant, metal structure, there have been a number of innovative designs built across the country that prove shipping container chic is not only a cost-effective choice – it’s also the next biggest thing.
Here are five of the best shipping container homes in Australia.
Sky Ridge, Kangaroo Valley, NSW
Larry Emdur recently sold this Kangaroo Valley hideaway.
Until recently, this bushland retreat was the holiday home of TV personality Larry Emdur and his wife Sylvie.
The unique property is built from shipping containers.
The pair sold the Kangaroo Valley property “Sky Ridge” in August 2023 for $2.78m after leasing it for $1000-$1200 a night as a short stay holiday rental.
It’s designer chic on the inside.
From the outside, there’s no mistaking the shipfaring history of the house.
It also has a stunning outlook.
The shipping container doors have been left as original and exposed ornaments on either side of the property’s floor to ceiling windows.
Imagine waking up to this view.
But on the inside, the open and expansive house is stylishly decked in designer finishes and quirky artworks that frame spectacular views of the surrounding bush.
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30 Carver Street, Googong, ACT
30 Carver St, Googong is built from shipping containers. Picture: supplied
This Googong house had been the first of its kind listed for sale in the Canberra region when it was put on the market in late 2022 – but its unique blend of industrial style and homely comfort saw it sell above and beyond its $950,000 plus price guide for $1.1m.
It showcases the boldness of the elements.
Selling agent Jason Roses from Verv said the owners had showcased “the uniqueness and boldness of the elements they were using” while creating “a warm family home.”
Contrasting warmth comes from timbers and rose gold.
They did this by combining reclaimed timbers, steel, pressed metals, rose gold and concrete in a visually appealing and eclectic mix of textures and colours.
Container-chic at its best.
“There’s not one room in the house where those unusual elements aren’t there in a very strong way,” Mr Roses said.
The five-star Paris Villa, near Daylesford, VIC
The Paris Villa – when shipping container meets rustic “wood cabin”.
Who would have thought shipping containers could become five star accommodation? This holiday let proves just how luxe the old containers can be if given the right amount of designer ingenuity.
It makes the most of its natural surroundings. Picture: Stayz
Glass floors overlook the bush. Picture: Stayz
The five-star Paris villa near Daylesford in Victoria nabbed People’s Choice for 2019 in Stayz Holiday Home of the Year awards as well as top prize for the country’s most unique holiday home.
Paris Villa is one of many container apartments at Clifftop. Picture: Stayz
Part of a complex of shipping container holiday units, the well positioned villa has views into the surrounding wilderness through wall sized windows and glass floors.
10-12 Hamilton Place, Adelaide, SA
10-12 Hamilton Place, Adelaide is built from shipping containers. Picture: Robert van Gorp
The van Gorps outside their home when it was being constructed. Picture: Robert van Gorp
This tall skinny house has certainly made a big statement on Adelaide’s smallest block of land. Eight shipping containers were used to build the four storey house on a 90sq m parcel.
It has four levels of living space. Picture: Robert van Gorp
Owner Robert van Gorp said using shipping containers reduced the build cost and time because it meant the structural components could be built offsite.
Each level has about 30sq m of space, though it doesn’t feel small from the inside.
Just wide enough to fit a lavish bath. Picture: Robert van Gorp
“It feels more spacious than it is because all of the windows are full height, they’re 2m wide by 2.5m high and there’s about the same amount of square metreage of glazing on the home as the actual land size,” Mr van Gorp said.
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Jaora St, Graceville, Brisbane QLD
Brisbane couple Todd and Diana Miller had their home featured on Grand Designs. Picture: Grand Designs Australia / Foxtel.
This Brisbane home made from 31 shipping containers was featured in Grand Designs Australia back in 2014 and remains one of the most impressive examples of container home design in the country.
The house had a unique style and plenty of space. Picture: Grand Designs Australia / Foxtel.
Builder Todd Miller and his wife Diana had been looking for a way to build a floodproof home after their previous property was inundated in the 2011 floods.
Bright colours and different textures contrasted well to bring warmth. Picture: Grand Designs Australia / Foxtel.
They decided to use shipping containers to construct the three level home with 450sq m of space – and ended up building the country’s largest container home at the time.
There was no compromise on luxury. Picture: Grand Designs Australia / Foxtel.
Budget led to the pair choosing shipping containers over a conventional build method.
A truly unique home. Picture: Grand Designs Australia / Foxtel
They also used coal mine shakers to make garden planters and 100-year-old railway sleepers for the timber ramp leading to the garage. Recycled cedar was used for the double garage door.
The bathroom is stylish and chic. Picture: Grand Designs Australia / Foxtel
The pair sold the unique house for $1.42m a few months before the episode of Grand Designs aired.
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