MODBOX 1300
This is a 4 bedroom Shipping Container house designed using six shipping containers. This design uses 6 shipping container modules to create a 1300+ square feet of habitable space. Four 20 foot shipping containers on the ground floor are placed parallel to each other with a one meter gap spacing in between. A pair of 40 foot containers are placed on top and sheered horizontally to create an entrance canopy below and a family roof deck terrace. The containers are linked vertically with a staircase shaft midway for vertical circulation.
Design Brief.
The four 20 foot shipping containers on the ground floor accommodate the living spaces of the house. The other pair of 40 foot containers on top accommodates the bedroom spaces of the house. In this stunning family house, we have ingeniously accommodated the following salient features;
Ground Floor
- The Lounge
- Dining
- Kitchen
- Laundry
- Guest Bedroom Ensuite
- Garage
- Outdoor Terrace
First floor
- Master Ensuite
- Walk-in closet
- Boy’s bedroom
- Common bathroom
- Girls’ bedroom
- Family terrace
Furniture and Interior Design.
Fitting furniture into a shipping container home can be a challenge, most standard furniture hasn’t been designed specifically for such small spaces. Incorporate Multi-functional transforming furniture and other space saving furniture ideas like sofa beds to effortlessly allow a single space to perform more than one function. To compliment the industrial look of the container, it’s advisable to adopt a minimalist design to make the narrow space feel somewhat spacious.
To minimize the claustrophobic feel of living in a shipping container, the walls of the living area can be finished in monochrome light colored paint. Since this is a container house, consider using similar materials to finish the kitchen backslash and the bathroom walls. This repetitive theme creates harmony therefore making the house appear bigger.
Consider using Flat-pack cabinets for the kitchen cabinets and the wardrobes.For more information, you are encouraged to go through our previous presentation on the Top 10 Modern Space Saving Furniture Design Ideas for Shipping Container Homes.
Foundation Design.
The containers sit on a 250mm reinforced concrete-raft foundation. This allows to elevate the containers off the ground away moisture. You are encouraged to observe construction good practices on; concrete ratio mix, climate and concrete curing, when casting your foundation slab. For more information, you are encouraged to go through our previous presentation on the Top 5 Foundation Types used in Shipping Container Homes and Buildings to understand more on foundation design.
Structure and Modifications.
The roof and walls of shipping containers are structural and load bearing. Containers are designed to be loaded at the corners. Any intermediary loading, must be reinforced. Cutting out too much steel from the walls for doors and windows interferes with the structural integrity of shipping containers. It is very costly to restore the roof and the floor as compared with bracing and reinforcing wall and door cutouts.
Our design principle as ShelterMODE Homes, we do not tamper with the roof and the floor of our shipping container modules. This design retains the original container cargo doors on the container ends on the ground floor some of which are closed off and others fitted with full height glazing to compliment the functions of this family home. In this design, we do not have any specialized modifications.
The design has used optimal sized windows which require no specialized modification to the walls of the shipping container save for the open plan living space on the ground floor. Some internal walls on the first floor level containers have been cut out and should be reinforced with additional steel sections.
Outdoors and Exterior Design
The Open plan Living room is fitted with full height folding glass doors to connect the indoor living space to the outdoors. Sliding and folding doors are good space savers and ideal to use in a container house. The full height sliding glass doors provide access to the cargo door Juliet balconies with maximum day-lighting, to enhance an industrial yet warm and cozy effect connecting the house to the surrounding landscape.
As a sustainable design statement, the exterior of the lower level shipping containers are left as they are, including its original color and markings. This helps to preserve the charm and the history of the containers in addition to reducing costs on painting the exterior. The containers on the ground level have their modules inter-spaced with bands of timber cladding to seal the gaps and enhance its exterior appeal. Depending on your country, budget, climate and local planning regulations, you can explore other exterior finishes.
Insulation and temperature control.
Shipping containers are made of Corten steel. Steel is a good conductor of heat, therefore; to live in a shipping container home, Insulation and temperature control is essential in turning a container into a comfortable home, without which a container home would be like an oven in summer and freezing in winter. The climate of your location is the biggest determinant of the type of insulation or temperature control strategies to use in your shipping container house.
If you are building in the cold climate, use Insulation material that will prevent condensation, which can corrode the container and form mold. Use Closed-Cell Spray foam insulation to provide an airtight water barrier and also prevent condensation. For the tropical climate, Keeping out heat from your container house is of paramount importance. A layer of earth wool insulation blanket lined with plasterboard will offer adequate temperature control for hot and dry climates. For more information, you are encouraged to go through our previous presentation on the Top 8 Insulation and Temperature Control Strategies for Shipping Container Homes.
The containers are covered with suspended elevated corrugated steel roof to guard it from rain and direct sunlight. The corrugated steel roof is elevated above the container roof to allow for air flow to keep the container interior cool in summer. The roof covers the containers with an extended overhang, above the decked frontage to shield the glazed openings and the outdoor living space from direct solar radiation. If you prefer a flat roof. You can try out a living roof above the containers. The rear of the container cabin, vines and climbers covers a wire mesh trellis which insulates the container further from direct solar radiation. In addition, the planted trellis hides corrugated steel walls of the shipping container. For more information, you are encouraged to go through our previous presentation on the 25+ Green Building Design Ideas for Shipping Container Homes.
What do you like about our new container cabin design? Do you have any question? Feel free to ask by posting in the comments below. For additional design details, and interior views; View a complete house tourHERE. If you have any question, feel free to ask by posting in the comments below.For more details on the house design, visit our websitesheltermode.com. If you like this design you canbuy blue printsof this designhere.The blueprints come as a full set of drawings comprising of Plans, Elevations and Section Details. If you need further inspiration; check out ourOTHER CONTAINER HOMESdesigns
You can watch theVIDEOof the House Below.
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