Monday
Oct112010
Shipping container guest house
Mon, 11 Oct 2010
It's a clever idea but often the idea never lives up to expectations. Not in this case. Poteet Architects, San Antonio, Texas have designed and executed a fab backyard retreat that still leaves no doubt as to its origins. I think what separates this conversion from many other ho-hum versions is the attention to detail both internally and externally and especially in its siting and landscaping. Too cool! Just need to get my hands on a container.
Reader Comments (19)
We have looked into purchasing a few shipping containers for this very thing. The prices are great!
Wow, very cool. Would like to stay for a night ore two...
I agree that container houses sometimes look bad, but this is executed very nicely!
Gorgeous... if you can use the word gorgeous in the same sentence as 'shipping container'. Love the porch! A-M xx
this is awesome! great inspiration (always...)
our lot is very strange (but cool!) because it's an L shape. so our yard goes straight back but then cuts over, behind our neighbor's yard. everybody who visits us says "this is where my house is going!" although our home is large enough to accommodate a large number of guests, a little retreat back there would be so sweet! studio for me, guest house for them. :)
now i'm curious about shipping containers. off to look...
So cool, I'd stay here.
san antonio... in the summertime....lots of windows... how to stay cool?
So inventive and attractive!! I'm wondering about the San Antonio heat, too, and maybe a bit of privacy, particularly for sleeping?
Forget the container. GIMEE THAT CAR!
Love the roof top garden - very clever. Any shots of the sleeping area to get an idea of size? Thanks
Just be very careful, make sure that Code enforcement and all permits are in place, Where we live, at this time, it is not illegal to have a container on our property, But code enforcement policy does not allow containers on A1 zoned property. What would happen if it was converted like in the picture? I would love to have a guest house. We are in the process of having our community Standards up dated to allow this.
fantastic! :)
We never labeled it green anywhere in the above. It is a luxury garden studio, it is cool design and Shipping Container Homes is the only comment so far that even mentions the word green. We agree with you about its "green wash" and now you have a text link on a popular blog that will raise your search engine results because of the way you signed off your comment. The greenest product is the one that you don't consume but the cheapest advertising is the one you don't pay for. Good work :)
Sammy that blue couch is the sleeping area, I bet it's a trundle or a foldout and as to how to control the heat I'm assuming that is why there is a sod roof and an airconditioner on the wall.
Gorgeous. And I'm in love with your response to "green washing", people are often quick to judge those that broadcast their brilliant design choices. Though they continue to tune in. Nobody is completely sustainable, however it's amazing to see that at the very least you are providing alternative building ideas for people who, yes, need guest cottages.
Can you tell us a little more about that toilet that looks like it converts in some way to a shower?
I've seen many of these shipping container houses, all of which looked fantastic. What I've never seen is the cost associated with transforming an ordinary shipping container into one of these extraordinary homes. In my state, I can build a small home for about $100 sq/ft. If this is a standard shipping container (40 x 8) that's 320 sq/ft, or $32,000 to build from scratch. To make these really desirable the price would have to come down. 320 sq/ft can be designed in a number of ways other than 8 ft wide by 40 ft long, and there are some cost-saving designs that could allow one to build a slightly larger home for the same price. So, does anyone know the cost of this delightful tiny home? If it can be built for around $60-$70 sq/ft, then I would be interested.
I am a little surprised that this is from a San Antonio firm.
With all that glass and thin walls, I cannot imagine there being enough insulation in it to protect from the Texas heat (9 months a year) or the few cold weeks we get.
Agree with the above comment on cost. For the same price of conversion, I could build new (even using some recycled materials) and have something better insulated (thus saving on cost and environmental resources).
Cool, but not a very good idea where I live.
I just found this post, so I am behind a couple years. Reading the bloggers comments about cooling. I see the owner had put an interior ceiling and walls. I am sure they sprayed foam for insulation. Plus the roof top garden is a cooling system. If you look closely there is an a/c Heating combo over sink area.
This design was well executed! Wished I owned it!