Deceiving Shipping Container Home That Doesn’t Look Like One

If we hadn't told you this was a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/05/05/holyoke-cabin-is-a-beautiful-shipping-container-home/" target="_blank">shipping container house</a>, would you have known?? With a contemporary classic style, regular-looking facade and huge light-filled windows, this lovely home in Richmond, California, designed by <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2008/02/08/prefab-friday-container-house-by-leger-wanaselja-architecture/" target="_blank">Leger Wanaselja Architects</a>, is a great example of the beautiful work that can done with <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/29/shipping-containers-and-cars-stacked-high-as-colorful-eco-sculptures/" target="_blank">shipping containers</a>. You may like the industrial look of the container, but if you're into a more traditional look, this is the house for you! Check out the interior shots of this deceiving home - they give you a really good idea of the available space.

The beautiful home certainly doesn't look like a container house from the exterior and the arrangement of the large windows makes the home seem really inviting.

The home was built back in 2007 and was very well documented. The construction photos really show the evolution of the design and how the containers were used to build this dream home.

Three 40' insulated containers were used to build the home - two were stacked on top of each other and the third was cut in half. The containers are separated by a large atrium with floor to ceiling windows.

The insulated containers provide weatherproof exterior siding, insulation, and a structural frame and they require little else except exterior siding to finish them off.

The large atrium serves as a living room and central breezeway. A staircase and bridge connect the 2nd floor rooms together.

The galley kitchen and dining room take up the bottom floor of the longer containers.

Thekitchen and dining room open up into the light filled living room.

The home was designed solar passively and large eaves protect the interior from summer solar gain, but provide warmth during the winter.

The master bedroom is a light filled space with plenty of room even inside an 8 foot wide container.

One of the bedrooms, which also has lots of windows, makes excellent use of the space.

Containers were lifted into place using a crane. This shows the arrangement of the three containers - two long ones, and one cut in half on the right.

Construction of the home after the containers have been placed.

Construction of the central atrium and roof eaves.