Comments on: VIDEO: Shipping-Container Homes from Lot-ek

By: john simmis

john simmis — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 22:50:36 +0000

If you are considering modular or prefab home, building with recycled shipping containers is worth taking a look at.

Good resource is the Residential Shipping Container Primer website. A SHOWCASE OF SHIPPING CONTAINER HOMES AND BUILDINGDS, AND A DO IT YOURSELF (DIY) REFERENCE FOR CONVERTING RECYCLED INTERMODAL CARGO SHIPPING CONTAINERS INTO BUILDINGS AND ARCHITECTURE.

Lots of great example buildings, details, facts, and links to other articles. They have something new that you can setup your own project wiki to get help with your project if you are considering a design build project.

http://www.ResidentialShippingContainerPrimer.com

By: Mr.Ecotistical

Mr.Ecotistical — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:58:30 +0000

The only thing I don’t understand is how is this considered reuse and prevention of waste if new ones are being built. I mean China is mining somewhere (destroying the land) just to build more. So obviously the best thing we could do is ship as many back as we can. But the point is that we simply don’t ship that many back right? So if they’re going to sit unused because of a trade imbalance I guess we have to see it as green when we use them. In the end though we should send them all back to China and eventually they’ll all be sent back. They don’t have to be sent back immediately with stuff.

By: olmos25

olmos25 — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 05:39:21 +0000

I would like to know how well they can withstand in the desert, I live in an area where the heat can get up to 120 degrees, and I love the idea of a shipping container home, whoever thought of it should be really proud of themselves, maybe people will open their minds and see that we need to act now on helping the environment and every bit counts.

By: Budi Waluyo

Budi Waluyo — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:14:27 +0000

I am adore the fabulous idea. It will enrich people with paradigm on building human space. But I’m wondering about the convenience in accordance with climate and neighborhood noise, since the wall is thin enough and made of tiny metal sheet. However It’s excellent in the view of eco-friendly and saving the waste.

By: chris radcliffe

chris radcliffe — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:30:08 +0000

My container house is part of the Build it Green tour in Portland, Oregon on Sept 20, 2008
Feel free to contact me at thechrisradcliffe@gmail.com.
I’d be glad to offer my experiance and contacts that helped to complete my project.

By: Inhabitat » SHIPPING CONTAINER PLAYGROUND by Phooey Architects

Inhabitat » SHIPPING CONTAINER PLAYGROUND by Phooey Architects — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:13:18 +0000

[...] always impressed with creative design reuse, but this children’s playground made from recycled shipping containers takes the cake for one [...]

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:42:50 +0000

Chris Radcliff – could you please post a site or sample of your building with containers? I’d love to see an example of a real world project and would love to learn more about you and your company.

By: Ragib Safaeth

Ragib Safaeth — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 04:52:41 +0000

Hello,
I am a civil engineeering student at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary,AB, Canada. I am in my final year and have to do a major project for graduation. Now i have chosen shipping container architecture as my topic of interest. I would appreciate any help regarding technical aspect of building with shipping containers.

i can be reached at sait.cvt@gmail.com

thank you

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:46:08 +0000

I don’t like the idea of building a house out of it because of the meaning. I liked the projects when the containers were used for example storage facilities or exhibitions. But there is only so much you can do with them. In Korea, for PIFF, a few containers were used to build a temporary structure for a couple of weeks of festival. First year, I was fond of the idea, and it actually looked good on sunny days. However, the structure were recycled again for another year, and it was already boring. I think they should really find other ways to use them other than in architecture.

By: Mack

Mack — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:42:41 +0000

To answer Johnny Queso’s question. Because of a huge trade imbalance with Asia there are a lot more containers coming into the US that are not being shipped out. From what I understand the cost to ship an empty container back to Asia is about $900. Now there are thousands of empty containers littering the ports. Most are 8′X40′ and used ones can go for under $3000. So for around $10. per sq. foot you can have a water tight structure. Not a bad place to start if you want to build an affordable home. Here is a page with lots of links about shipping containers as homes, dorms and other uses. http://home.comcast.net/~plutarch/#videos

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:32:21 +0000

There seems to have been quite a bit of talk about Lot-Ek and their shipping container house kit. The computer renderings look great but they definitely lead to MANY questions. First off, I’ve seen many quotes about the cost of individual containers (used and new) but no estimates about the construction costs of a house such as this. By the way, how does the HVAC work in these houses (drawings)? Lot-Ek doesn’t seem to answer any email.
So, in other words, are these REALITY or FANTASY? Have they even actually BUILT any of these houses or is this some student final exam fantasy project?

By: keirsten

keirsten — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 22:54:10 +0000

Chris Radcliffe – I’m with an architecture firm in Portland and the building dept is acting like this is the first time they’ve seen containers in architecture. Care to share notes?

and johnny queso, the problem isn’t that the containers are unusable, the problem is that it is cheaper the build new ones in china than it is to ship them back empty.

By: johnny queso

johnny queso — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:11:25 +0000

i’m not sure i understand why shipping containers need to be recycled. can they not keep being reused as shipping containers? what causes a container to be unusable for shipping, but acceptable for a residence?

please excuse my ignorance, but this seems like it might be a case of willful style versus actual necessity.

By: Eric Griffin

Eric Griffin — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 03:14:47 +0000

hi can anyone please note major obstacles with obtaining permits? restroom solution ideas? a structural engineer was mentioned by Chris Radcliffe, what was he required to sign off on specifically?

THANKS THIS SITE IS VERY HELPFUL

By: michael r couch

michael r couch — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:52:15 +0000

very interested in your site. looking to build and office on my property in a rural area in Indiana. Shipping container building interests me. Would the overall cost be cheaper than a conventional steel building?
Thanks for making this website.

By: RD

RD — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 03:38:48 +0000

So far only the LA based architect DeMaria has figured out the permit process. Eventually others will get it done. Radcliffe is right on – do it and then come talk to me, otherwise, talk is cheap. I like this site being a place to discuss and exchange design ideas. At the same time, when someone acts on all the theory and pulls off a real project, I have to tip my hat. It’s a jungle out there!

By: Chris Radcliffe

Chris Radcliffe — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:47:35 +0000

I build with shipping containers. I’ve found that getting residential building permits is actually fairly easy. The city of Portland, Oregon-USA asks that I retain a structural engineer but that is really just common sense. This isn’t ground breaking stuff anymore. And I find it tiresome that so many coffee shop enthusiasts publish their design plans but never really build anything.

By: REUBENMILLER

REUBENMILLER — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 12:23:06 +0000

I think it is inaccurate to think of LOT-EK as environmental warriors. They are not and don’t claim to be (see end of video).

By: marco

marco — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:08:34 +0000

How about using tap water for press conferences, I just can’t believe that forward thinking designers still use crappy discusting plasic tap water instead of a nice Sigg bottle or justa glass and icewater. It`s 2007 !

By: Bob Ellenberg

Bob Ellenberg — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:55:57 +0000

I am a fan of the concept so I won’t critcize. What I really want to know is if they have any projects underway or complete or are they still all propsed ideas?